India Aims to Become Global MedTech Innovation Hub: Pharma Secretary Amit Agrawal

New Delhi– India is steadily building the foundation to emerge as a global hub for medical technology innovation, said  Amit Agrawal, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals. He was speaking at the South East and South Asia regional meet on “Health Research and Innovations in Public Health” held at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi.

The two-day conference, organised by the Department of Health Research and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), brought together health leaders from India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Timor-Leste to share best practices and explore regional cooperation under the RESEARCH Platform.

Addressing a session on “Leveraging Inter-sectoral Networking for Med-Tech Innovations”, Agrawal stressed that “health knows no boundaries” and highlighted how the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the urgent need for collaboration across countries, sectors, and institutions to build resilient healthcare systems.

The Secretary outlined India’s multi-pronged efforts to strengthen the medical device ecosystem – from developing skilled manpower and accredited laboratories to adopting global standards and supporting clinical trials. He noted that the creation of medical device parks and ICMR’s initiatives like MedTech Mitra and Patent Mitra are positioning India to achieve economies of scale and expand markets beyond national borders.

 Agrawal acknowledged the National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERs) for their role in nurturing skilled professionals. Seven NIPERs are now offering specialised courses in medical devices, which have also been opened up to foreign nationals, reflecting India’s growing role in global healthcare education.

Highlighting the future of healthcare, he said medical technologies are moving from hospitals to households, driven by digitalisation. He also pointed to the Academia to Industry: Discovery Marketplace platform of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, which connects startups, industry, academia, and research institutions for partnerships aimed at delivering both commercial breakthroughs and public health benefits.

Summing up,  Agrawal said the RESEARCH Platform will play a vital role in transforming South and Southeast Asia into a global powerhouse for MedTech innovation, enabling knowledge-sharing, solidarity, and cross-border growth in public health.