The regulation of medical devices is a crucial aspect of public health policy,
ensuring that innovative healthcare solutions are safe and effective for patient
use. In India, the landscape of medical device regulation has undergone
significant changes over the last few decades, particularly with the
introduction of the Medical Device Rules in 2017. This paper delves into the
complexities of India's regulatory environment by critically analyzing the
current regulatory framework around medical devices in India and identifying
gaps.
The study explores what constitutes medical devices, their significance in
healthcare, different classifications of medical devices, and provides an
overview of the global medical devices market, focusing on India. Before
discussing Indian regulations on medical devices, the study also examines
regulations in prominent countries such as the USA, the European Union, Japan,
and China. Furthermore, it delves into the history and evolution of legislation
related to the regulation of medical devices in India, assesses current
regulations, and their impact on industry trends.
As India solidifies its
position as a significant player in the global medical device industry, the need
for a robust, transparent, and adaptable regulatory framework becomes
increasingly critical. This study offers a comprehensive overview of the current
landscape and a forward-looking perspective on the future of medical device
regulation in India.
What are Medical Devices?
Medical devices have been used for treating and diagnosing diseases since
ancient times. For example, there is evidence that people performed trephination
in the Neolithic period, and tools from around 2000 BC have been found in
Jericho.[1]. With the advancement in technology and increasing quality of
healthcare services, medical devices have become an indispensable part of the
healthcare industry. According to the World Health Organisation, "a medical
device can be any instrument, apparatus, implement, machine, appliance, implant,
reagent for in vitro use, software, material, or other similar or related
article intended by the manufacturer to be used, alone or in combination for a
medical purpose"[2].
Simply put, medical devices can be understood as tools or
equipment used for diagnosing, treating, or preventing health conditions. They
can range from simple items like bandages or thermometers to complex machines
like pacemakers or MRI scanners. Unlike drugs, they don't rely on
pharmacological, immunological, or metabolic means to work on the body, but they
assist in healthcare through physical or mechanical means.
Classifications of Medical Devices
The international classification system of medical devices varies across
regions. For example, in the European Union, medical devices are classified into
four classes on the basis of their potential risks[3]. In the United States, the
Food and Drug Administration classifies medical devices based on their risks and
the regulatory controls necessary into three classes to ensure they] are safe
and effective[4].
In India the regulations of medical devices are governed by
the Medical Devices Rules, which were published by the Central Government in
2017. Under these rules, the term 'class,' although widely used to prescribe
different rules and procedures for different classes of medical devices, but up
until 2020, there was no clarity regarding which device falls into which
particular class.
To overcome this ambiguity, the Medical Device Division of
Central Drugs Standard Control Organization of India (CDSCO) issued a notice in
2020 properly classifying the medical devices into different categories and four
classes which are A, B, C, and D[5]. Class A devices are deemed to have the
lowest risk, whereas Class D devices are considered to have the highest risk. To
determine which class a medical device belongs to, there are specific rules
prescribed in the Medical Devices Rules, 2017, which contain a list of
parameters that vary on the type of device (in-vitro or other medical devices)
and take into account the device's intended use.
These classes are utilized to
get a manufacturing license for medical devices in India. In this regard, CDSCO
has also created a list of more than eighteen hundred medical devices and
distributed them into 24 categories. Then, further, on a risk-based approach,
these devices are assigned a class out of the four defined classes
Medical Devices Market
The global market of medical devices has reached an all-time high with an
estimated market size of USD 637.04 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD
893.07 billion by 2029.[6] According to the Mordor Intelligence report Medical
Devices Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2024 -
2029)[7], the prominent factors responsible for this boost are the increasing
prevalence of chronic disease, technological advancements in medical devices,
and a consistent rise in the aging populations. India is among the top twenty
global markets for medical devices and ranks as the fourth largest market in
Asia, following Japan, China, and South Korea, with the medical device industry
accounting for over 65% of the total market.
However, the majority of the market
is predominantly import-driven[8], whereby 70-80% of imports are done from
countries such as the US, China, and Germany[9]. These statistics highlight the
significant gap between the current demand and supply of medical devices in
India. Some of the top medical device companies by revenue in India as of toady
include Johnson & Johnson Private Limited, Abbott India Limited, Siemens
Healthcare Private Limited, and so on[10]. In the Budget 2024-25, Rs. 90,659
crore was allocated as the budget for the healthcare and pharmaceutical sector,
which is a 13% rise over the revised estimate of 2023-24. We, therefore, can
hope for new developments and expansions of industry[11].
Regulations Of Medical Devices
According to the World Health Organisation, the main purpose behind the
regulations of Medical Devices is to enable patients access to high-quality,
safe, and effective medical devices with the broader aim of public health and
the safety of patients, healthcare workers, and the community.[12] In the 60th
World Health Assembly held in Geneva in May 2007, a Resolution was adopted
termed World Health Assembly(WHA) Resolution 60.29[13] to encourage member
states to develop national or regional guidelines for effective manufacturing
and regulatory practices related to medical devices.
The Global Framework of Regulation of Medical Devices
Before exploring the regulatory framework for medical devices in India, it is
essential to provide a brief overview of the frameworks used globally.
- European Regulations:
- The regulation of medical devices in the EU is governed by a series of directives and regulations, with a primary goal of ensuring public health and safety. The key directives include:
- 90/35 directive on active implants
- 93/42 general medical device directive
- 98/79 directive on in vitro diagnostics
- 20000/70 directive covering human blood and plasma derivatives
- In the EU, a directive is basically an instruction to its member states to implement a law through national regulations.
- These directives set out essential requirements for manufacturers, including the conformity assessment process, which is overseen by "notified bodies" - independent entities designated by each EU member state's competent authority.
- Each EU member state has a competent authority responsible for:
- Regulating medical devices
- Designating notified bodies
- Overseeing clinical trials
- Ensuring compliance with the Medical Devices Act
- The notified bodies are responsible for:
- Evaluating devices according to the manufacturer's claims
- Ensuring compliance with EU standards
- These bodies are monitored by the competent authority of the member state and the Notified Body Operations Group (NBOG). Once a device is approved by a notified body, it can carry the CE mark and be sold throughout the EU and in other countries with mutual agreements.
- United States Regulations:
- In the United States, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act regulates medical devices.
- A marketing application must be submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and approval must be obtained before a medical device can be marketed in the country.
- Within the FDA, the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) is mainly responsible for overseeing both the premarket and postmarket regulation of medical devices.
- The United States uses a risk-based classification system for medical devices, categorizing them according to the level of risk they pose:
- Class I (lowest risk)
- Class II (intermediate risk)
- Class III (highest risk)
- Japan:
- Japan has been reforming its pharmaceutical and medical device legislation to align more closely with the Global Harmonization Task Force (GHTF) classification system.
- While the classification of medical device products under Japan's Pharmaceutical Affairs Law generally corresponds with the GHTF system, Japan, like Europe, has adopted third-party certification for Class II devices.
- The Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW) in Japan initially reviews the dossier to determine if the device is suitable for third-party assessment. If deemed appropriate, one of the 12 designated certification bodies conducts the evaluation.
- Once the third-party assessor issues a positive report, the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW) provides a certificate.
- The assessors use the GHTF's Summary Technical Documentation for Demonstrating Conformity to the Essential Principles of Safety and Performance of Medical Devices (STED) during the product application process.
- By the end of 2011, it is expected that all Class II devices in Japan will be regulated through third-party certification.
- China:
- In China, medical devices are regulated by both the central State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) and local provincial authorities.
- The regulatory system is risk-based, akin to that in India.
- Class II and Class III devices must undergo sample testing (type testing) in approved laboratories.
- Additionally, some products are required to undergo clinical evaluations in SFDA-approved hospitals.
The SFDA runs its own evaluation center and has set up expert technical
committees to aid in the regulatory process. Chinese regulations require foreign
companies to collaborate with a local distributor based in China. Provincial
authorities handle inspections, and for devices manufactured abroad, proof of
approval from the country of origin is required. For example, a U.S.-based
company cannot introduce a new device into the Chinese market unless it is
already registered with the U.S. FDA.
Regulations of Medical Devices in India
In India, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) is the primary
regulatory authority overseeing the sale, import, and manufacture of medical
devices that are categorized as drugs under Section 3(b)(iv) of the Drugs and
Cosmetics Act. The CDSCO sets standards for drugs, cosmetics, diagnostics, and
medical devices and issues licenses to manufacturers and importers. It is also
responsible for enforcing regulatory measures, suggesting amendments to relevant
Acts and Rules, overseeing the market authorization of new drugs, regulating
clinical research in India, and ensuring standards for imported drugs.[19]
Before examining the current regulations governing medical devices in India, it
is essential to explore the evolution and history of the legislative framework
that has shaped the regulation of medical devices in the country.
History and Evolution of Legislative Framework
The Drugs and Cosmetics Act was enacted in 1940[20] in India in order to
regulate the manufacture, import, distribution, and sale of drugs and cosmetics
in India. However, the act did not specifically deal with medical devices up
until notification in 1982. Between 1982 and 2020, several legislative
developments occurred to enhance the regulatory framework for medical devices in
India. A brief overview of these key events is outlined below:
13 November 1982- The definition of "drugs" under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act
of 1940 was amended to include medical devices that the Government may notify
from time to time. Once notified, these devices are regulated under the
framework of the Act.[21] Even today, for a device to be recognized as a medical
device, it must first be notified as a "drug" under the DCA. Only after this
notification is it subject to the regulatory frameworks established by the DCA.
17 March 1989- The Health Ministry notified the following devices: disposable
hypodermic syringes, disposable hypodermic needles, and disposable perfusion
sets.[22]
22 February 1994- Rules specifying the requirements for factory premises
involved in the manufacture of medical devices were notified. [23]
20 January 2005- The Health Ministry issued guidelines and requirements for
obtaining approval to import or manufacture new drugs and for conducting
clinical trials. Although medical devices are technically included under these
rules as they are categorized as "drugs," the rules were primarily designed with
drugs in mind, rather than medical devices. In fact, medical devices are
mentioned only once in the entire text of these rules.[24]
In between 2005-2006, some more medical devices were included under the ambit of
notified devices.
2006- The Ministry of Science and Technology released a draft of the "Medical
Devices Regulation Bill, 2006" for public feedback. [25] This Bill proposed the
creation of a Medical Device Regulatory Authority of India and introduced a
risk-based classification system for medical devices. It recognized the
limitations of classifying medical devices as 'drugs' under the Drugs and
Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, noting that the
existing definition did not cover all types of devices.
31 October 2012- The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)
issued a guidance document for the import of medical devices, specifying 21
products that are included under this regulation.
1 January, 2017- The Health Ministry brought the Medical Device Rules, 2017 (MDR,
2017)[26], bringing many significant changes, which includes the following:
- A single window system for registration, review, and submissions through the online portal 'SUGAM';
- Manufacturing and import licenses will remain valid indefinitely unless voluntarily surrendered. [27];
- Introduction of a risk-based classification system with four classes of devices (Class A, Class B, Class C, and Class D) in ascending order of risk, with regulatory requirements and licensing authorities based on the device's risk class.
- The roles of regulators under these rules are generally time-bound.
- Compliance and oversight for clinical trials related to medical devices have been separated from Schedule Y of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, and are now included in the Seventh Schedule of MDR, 2017, which specifies the format for each submitted document.
- A "Unique Device Identification" system for each medical device is scheduled to be introduced in January 2022. [28];
-
7 November 2017: The DCGI released a list of 247 devices, classified according to their risk levels and detailing their intended uses. [29].
-
18 October 2019: The Health Ministry released a draft notification proposing a registration mechanism for certain medical devices, whether locally manufactured or imported. It specified 36 devices that would require registration with CDSCO through the online portal. [30]
-
3 December 2018: The Health Ministry notified the following devices: [31] Digital Thermometer, Nebulizer, Blood Pressure Monitoring Devices, and Glucometer.
-
18 December 2019: The Niti Aayog held a stakeholder meeting to discuss its draft Medical Devices (Safety, Effectiveness, and Innovation) Bill, 2019. The meeting proposed establishing the Medical Devices Administration, which would operate alongside the CDSCO, under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). [32] One reason cited by Niti Aayog was that the CDSCO and DCGI may lack the specialized expertise needed to effectively oversee medical devices. [33]
-
11 February 2020: The Health Ministry broadened the definition of "drugs" in Section 3(b) to encompass all devices intended for: diagnosis, prevention, monitoring, treatment, or alleviation of any disease or disorder; diagnosis, monitoring, treatment, alleviation, or assistance for any injury or disability; investigation, replacement, modification, or support of anatomical or physiological processes; supporting or sustaining life; disinfection of medical devices; and control of conception. [34] The expanded definition also includes software and accessories, potentially classifying all wearables with health features as medical devices.
Current Regulatory Framework for Medical Devices in India
India's medical devices are regulated by two key bodies: the Central Drugs
Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) and the Indian Council of Medical
Research. The regulatory framework is primarily governed by the Medical Device
Rules, 2017, and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
The CDSCO, operating under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, regulates
medical devices and IVDs through the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI).
The Medical Device Rules, 2017, introduced a risk-based classification system,
streamlined the licensing processes, and differentiated medical device
regulations from the broader drug regulations under the DCA. In April 2020,
these rules were amended to extend regulatory control to all medical devices,
expanding beyond the 37 categories that were previously regulated.
Scope of Regulation and Definition of Medical Devices
As of April 1, 2020, all medical devices are regulated under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 (DCA) and the Medical Device Rules, 2017 (MDR). According to MDR Amendment 2020, medical devices that meet the following definition will be regulated as drugs under the "DCA and MDR [35]":
"All devices, including an instrument, apparatus, appliance, implant, material, or other article, whether used alone or in combination, including software or an accessory, intended by their manufacturer to be used specially for human beings or animals, which does not achieve the primary intended action in or on the human body or animals by any pharmacological, immunological, or metabolic means, but which may assist in its intended function by such means for one or more of the aforementioned:
- Diagnosis, prevention, monitoring, treatment, alleviation, or assistance for any disease or disorder;
- Diagnosis, monitoring, treatment, alleviation or assistance for, any injury or disability;
- Investigation, replacement or modification or support of the anatomy or of a physiological process;
- Supporting or sustaining life;
- Disinfection of medical devices; and
- Control of conception.
Risk-based Classification
The Medical Devices Rules, 2017, implemented by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), introduced a risk-based classification system for medical devices, in line with the guidelines established by the Global Harmonization Task Force (GHTF).[36] This system classifies medical devices into four categories based on their risk levels:
- Class A (low risk)
- Class B (low to moderate risk)
- Class C (moderate to high risk)
- Class D (high risk)
The extent of regulatory scrutiny and the specific requirements vary according to the device's risk classification.
The classification method is thoroughly outlined in the first schedule of the
2017 Rules. However, it is pertinent to note that, unlike some other countries
where manufacturers or importers have the flexibility to self-classify their
products for registration purposes, the 2017 Rules do not allow this. Instead,
manufacturers and importers must adhere to the classification determined by the
Drug Controller General of India (DCGI).[37] The classification once done, will
unfortunately be non-appealable[38]
Registration Process
Registration Documentation Requirements:
- Device Master File (DMF)
- Plant Master File (PMF)
- Clinical Evaluation Report
- Risk Management Report
- Performance Evaluation Report (if applicable)
- Quality Management System (QMS) Accreditation: Compliance with ISO 13485 or equivalent is mandatory.
- Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Certification: Certain devices must meet Indian Standards.
- Labeling: Must comply with Medical Devices Rules 2017, including manufacturer details, batch number, and expiry date.
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