Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed)– an association of medical device manufacturers, in a findings of a survey of 1300 Indians from across 17 states found that although an overwhelming 72 per cent of respondents use medical devices, 89 per cent say that they do not know enough about them.

Interestingly, the survey also finds that although India is a price-conscious market, quality is an important consideration among the country’s growing middle class. It showed 75 per cent of respondents believe that the quality of the medical device is important because the safety of the patient is paramount.

“Our survey suggests that people in India do not know enough about medical devices but want to know more. It is quite astounding that 60 per cent of respondents think that medical devices are the same as pharmaceuticals,” informed Sanjay Banerjee, the managing director of Zimmer India, and chair of the AdvaMed India working group.

According to 72 per cent of respondents using a high-quality device would help them avoid the costs of repeated hospitalisation. Responding to this finding, AdvaMed vice president, US-based Abby Pratt, said, “Unlike in the case of many other products in India where people unequivocally choose the cheapest option, this survey suggests that when it comes to advanced medical devices, quality becomes important because of its correlation to safety. It is noteworthy that 80 per cent of respondents see a correlation between brand name and quality.”

However, despite the prevalence of medical devices that the survey suggests, at a macro level, the industry constitutes only 5 per cent of India’s US$ 60 billion healthcare industry. There is a major gap between medical devices currently used and what is required to address public health needs.

For example, in the case of diabetes, it is estimated that 93.75 per cent of the Indian diabetic population remains undiagnosed or untreated. The situation is similar for other diseases: heart disease, cancer, glaucoma and so on remain undiagnosed and untreated because the benefits of medical devices like stents, MRI machines or intraocular lenses are not known to those suffering from them.

AdvaMed believes that the medical devices industry in India has the potential to fill these gaps. Reflecting the results of the survey, the Indian regulatory framework has also for years considered medical devices the same way as drugs. To AdvaMed’s relief, the Drugs & Cosmetics (Amendment) Bill 2013 which was introduced in Parliament last year, recognised medical devices as a crucial and distinct pillar of the healthcare system and created a robust regulatory framework for the medical devices sector.

Banerjee said AdvaMed was hopeful the Modi government, under the stewardship of health minister, Dr Harsh Vardhan, would provide an enabling environment for the Bill to become law. “This law can help set the stage for the Indian medical devices industry to grow, innovate and ensure the highest standards of quality healthcare for all Indian patients,” Banerjee said.

AdvaMed recently also submitted a letter to the new health minister, urging collaborative discussions that will facilitate expeditious consideration of the Bill. Pratt said: “We believe that Dr Vardhan’s expertise as a surgeon and health administrator will enable him to appreciate the significance of the medical device industry and its challenges. We are eager to fully participate in India's effort to improve the quality of life for patients with non-communicable diseases and look forward to every opportunity the government might provide towards harmonised regulations for the industry.”

AdvaMed is also greatly encouraged by the health minister’s statements about stakeholder consultation and public-private collaboration. Banerjee commented, “The medical device industry is excited that the new health ministry wants to consult stakeholders, and looks forward to discussing the Bill with the government. We are expecting greater clarity from the new regime.”