Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, inaugurated the 11th Asia Pacific MedTech Forum (APACMed) 2025 through a video address from New Delhi. The two-day forum, being held on 16–17 September 2025, has brought together senior policymakers, global industry leaders, regulators, and healthcare experts from over 10 Asia Pacific countries to discuss India’s MedTech roadmap.
MedTech: A Pillar of India’s Health Transformation
In his address, Shri Nadda emphasized that the MedTech sector is a critical pillar of India’s healthcare transformation. He noted that the sector spans diagnostics, advanced medical devices, digital health, and AI-driven solutions—each contributing to making healthcare more accessible, efficient, and affordable. He credited government initiatives on access, innovation, and infrastructure for helping MedTech emerge as a trusted provider of high-quality healthcare.
Growing Role of APACMed in India
As reported by pib.gov.in, the Minister highlighted APACMed members’ increasing footprint in India through advanced manufacturing, R&D of complex technologies, and integration with global supply chains. He remarked that this year’s forum theme aligns with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision for Viksit Bharat 2047, which aims to make India a developed nation.
Four Thematic Pillars for MedTech Growth
Shri Nadda outlined the four thematic pillars of the Forum:
- Unlocking India for Global Leadership in MedTech
- Innovation Without Limits – From Better to Breakthrough
- MedTech for All – Delivering Value and Driving Outcomes
- Scaling Up MedTech – Investing in India’s Future
He stated that these pillars reflect a shared vision for an innovative, inclusive, and globally competitive healthcare system. He expressed confidence that the forum’s deliberations will open new opportunities and strengthen efforts to make India a global MedTech hub.
Government Initiatives to Boost the Sector
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Smt. Anupriya Patel, highlighted key government initiatives to strengthen India’s MedTech and medical devices sector. These include:
- A new scheme to support component manufacturing
- Development of common infrastructure
- Branding and market studies
- Clinical research support
She also underscored investor-friendly policies, such as 100% FDI in medical devices, the creation of an Export Promotion Council, and the formation of a National Medical Devices Promotion Council to improve ease of doing business and broaden export opportunities.
“India is emerging as not only a high-volume manufacturer but also a high-value player in the global MedTech market,” Smt. Patel said. “The next leap will come from collaborations, and I invite all stakeholders to co-create solutions that will serve both our 1.4 billion citizens and the wider emerging markets.”
Policy Reforms and Innovation Push
Speaking at the event, Dr. Vinod K Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, detailed the government’s recent measures to drive innovation, affordability, and domestic manufacturing. He highlighted:
- The National Medical Devices Policy 2023, which offers a comprehensive framework for sectoral growth
- The Policy on R&D and Innovation in the Pharma-MedTech sector
- Development of Medical Device Parks modeled on the Andhra MedTech Zone
- PLI schemes to boost local manufacturing
- The Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma-MedTech Sector (PRIP), popularly known as the BRICS scheme
APACMed’s Role in Shaping Standards
John Collings, President, Asia Pacific, APACMed, reiterated the association’s mission to raise standards of care by creating a unified voice for the MedTech industry. He emphasized APACMed’s role in engaging with policymakers to harmonize regulatory standards and improve market access.
About APACMed
Established in 2014 and headquartered in Singapore, APACMed represents over 350 leading medical device companies. The association collaborates with global regulatory bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Medical Device Regulators Forum (IMDRF). In India, over 40 APACMed member organizations work closely with the government and trade associations. They aim to expand access to innovative, high-quality healthcare solutions.