Medical device industry associations criticized the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change for permitting the import of refurbished and used medical devices. They argue that this decision harms companies that are investing in local manufacturing.

The key stakeholders from the MedTechIndustry including  PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) and the Association of Indian Medical Devices (AiMed), in alliance with the Manufacturers of Imaging, Therapy and Radiology Devices Association (MITRA), have urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention in the matter.

Rajiv Nath, the AiMeD Forum Coordinator stated, that a recent official memo from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) goes against the National Medical Devices Policy 2023, which was introduced by the Prime Minister. This memo permits the import of used medical equipment, which could jeopardize investments made by both Indian and foreign manufacturers who are part of the "Make in India" initiative, potentially turning these investments into non-performing assets (losses).

Nath said that investors will only bring manufacturing technologies to India if the policy environment is stable and aligned with the National Medical Devices Policy 2023, which should apply to all government departments. He added that not only are many new projects for advanced medical equipment at risk, but patient safety could also be compromised.

Nath further said India is being treated as the dumping ground for e-waste with outdated equipment being resold in the country. This allows foreign manufacturers to double their profit: first by selling new equipment to hospitals in Western countries, and then by selling the old equipment to India. He warns that this practice is damaging to India's emerging domestic industry and emphasizes that India should not be a destination for obsolete medical equipment.

Innvolution Healthcare Co-Founder Atul Sharma also emphasized on self-reliant healthcare vision to boost local innovation He said, "We urge the government to prioritize domestic manufacturers and consult CDSCO's data to prevent unnecessary imports that hinder industry growth.”

Sequoia Healthcare CEO Viswanathan Santhanagopalan also said that hospitals and diagnostic centers charge patients the same fees whether they use new or refurbished equipment, so patients don’t benefit from any cost savings, even when outdated technology is used.

Shalini Sharma, Assistant Secretary General of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, added that importing refurbished medical devices creates challenges for domestic manufacturers, many of whom are chamber members.