Calls for Policy Reforms to Curb Unfair Import Practices and Boost Make-in-India Initiative in Medical Devices Sector

呼吁政策改革以遏制不公平进口行为，推动印度制造计划在医疗设备领域的发展

The Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD), representing domestic manufacturers, has called upon the government to impose safeguard duties on imported medical devices to protect India’s burgeoning medical devices industry. AiMeD’s appeal comes in light of growing concerns over the unchecked influx of low-cost imports, which they believe is threatening the competitiveness and sustainability of indigenous manufacturers..

代表本土制造商的印度医疗器械行业协会（AiMeD）呼吁政府对进口医疗器械征收保障性关税，以保护印度蓬勃发展的医疗器械产业。AiMeD的呼吁是基于对低成本进口产品涌入的日益增长的担忧，他们认为这正在威胁本土制造商的竞争力和可持续性。

By advocating for safeguard duties, AiMeD seeks to mitigate the adverse impact of unfair trade practices, promote local manufacturing, and support the government’s Make-in-India initiative.

通过倡导保障职责，AiMeD 寻求减轻不公平贸易行为的负面影响，促进本地制造业发展，并支持政府的“印度制造”倡议。

Concerns Raised by AiMeD

由AiMeD引发的担忧

India’s medical devices market, valued at over $15 billion, is one of the fastest-growing sectors globally. However, more than 70% of this demand is currently met through imports, primarily from countries like China, the US, and Germany. AiMeD has flagged several key challenges faced by domestic manufacturers, including:.

印度的医疗设备市场价值超过150亿美元，是全球增长最快的行业之一。然而，目前超过70%的需求通过进口满足，主要来自中国、美国和德国等国家。AiMeD指出了国内制造商面临的几个关键挑战，包括：

Rising Imports: The influx of low-cost imported devices, particularly from China, is eroding the market share of Indian manufacturers.

进口增加：低成本进口设备（尤其是来自中国的设备）的涌入正在侵蚀印度制造商的市场份额。

Unfair Pricing Practices: Many imported devices are sold at predatory prices, making it difficult for local manufacturers to compete.

不公平定价行为：许多进口设备以掠夺性价格出售，使本地制造商难以竞争。

High Dependency on Imports: Despite India’s manufacturing capabilities, the country remains heavily reliant on imported medical devices, which poses a risk to long-term self-reliance in critical healthcare infrastructure.

高度依赖进口：尽管印度具备制造能力，但该国仍然严重依赖进口医疗设备，这对关键医疗基础设施的长期自力更生构成了风险。

Call for Safeguard Duties and Policy Reforms

征收保障措施和政策改革呼吁

To address these challenges, AiMeD has proposed the following measures:

为应对这些挑战，AiMeD 提出了以下措施：

1. Imposition of Safeguard Duties:

1. 实施保障措施关税：

AiMeD has urged the government to impose safeguard duties on imported medical devices to create a level playing field for domestic manufacturers. Safeguard duties are temporary tariffs designed to protect local industries from sudden import surges and price competition.

AiMeD 已敦促政府对进口医疗设备征收保障性关税，以期为国内制造商创造一个公平的竞争环境。保障性关税是一种临时性关税，旨在保护本地产业免受突如其来的进口激增和价格竞争的影响。

2. Incentives for Local Manufacturing:

2. 本地制造的激励措施：

The association has called for increased financial incentives, including Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes and tax benefits, to encourage local manufacturing and reduce import dependency.

该协会呼吁增加财政激励措施，包括与生产挂钩的激励 (PLI) 计划和税收优惠，以鼓励本地制造并减少对进口的依赖。

3. Strengthening Quality Standards:

3. 加强质量标准：

AiMeD recommends the strict implementation of quality standards for both domestic and imported devices to ensure patient safety and promote high-quality indigenous products.

人工智能医学建议严格实施国内外设备的质量标准，以确保患者安全并促进高质量的本土产品。

4. Trade Monitoring:

4. 贸易监控：

The association has also emphasized the need for enhanced trade monitoring mechanisms to prevent the dumping of substandard or low-cost medical devices in the Indian market.

该协会还强调需要加强贸易监控机制，以防止劣质或低成本的医疗设备倾销到印度市场。

Supporting the Make-in-India and Atmanirbhar Bharat Agendas

支持印度制造和自力更生的印度议程

AiMeD’s recommendations align closely with the government’s Make-in-India and Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiatives, which aim to strengthen India’s domestic manufacturing capabilities and reduce dependence on imports across various sectors, including healthcare.

AiMeD的建议与政府的“印度制造”和“自力更生的印度”倡议高度一致，这些倡议旨在加强印度的国内制造能力，并减少包括医疗在内的各个领域对进口的依赖。

“The Indian medical devices industry has immense potential to become self-reliant and globally competitive. However, we need policy support in the form of safeguard duties, financial incentives, and strict quality control to realize this potential,” said Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator of AiMeD.

“印度的医疗设备产业有巨大的潜力实现自力更生并在全球竞争中占据优势。然而，我们需要通过保障性关税、财政激励和严格的质量控制等政策支持来实现这一潜力，”AiMeD论坛协调员拉吉夫·纳特表示。

The Growing Need for Self-Reliance in Medical Devices

医疗器械领域对自力更生的需求日益增长

The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the critical importance of building a resilient healthcare ecosystem. During the pandemic, India ramped up the production of essential medical devices such as ventilators, PPE kits, and diagnostic kits, demonstrating the country’s manufacturing capabilities. AiMeD believes that with the right policy framework, India can further expand its domestic manufacturing base and reduce its dependency on imports for high-value medical devices..

新冠疫情大流行凸显了建立一个有韧性的医疗生态系统的关键重要性。在疫情期间，印度加大了呼吸机、个人防护设备和诊断试剂盒等关键医疗设备的生产，展示了该国的制造能力。AiMeD认为，通过正确的政策框架，印度可以进一步扩大其国内制造业基础，并减少对高价值医疗设备进口的依赖。

A Promising Path Forward

一条充满希望的前进道路

The imposition of safeguard duties, combined with other supportive measures, could pave the way for a thriving, self-sufficient medical devices industry in India. This, in turn, would enhance healthcare accessibility, improve patient outcomes, and contribute to the country’s economic growth.

实施保障性关税，加上其他支持措施，可以为印度繁荣的、自给自足的医疗器械行业铺平道路。这反过来将提高医疗保健的可及性，改善患者的治疗效果，并有助于国家的经济增长。