Health Ministry seeks new law to regulate medical equipment sector

To help bring the booming medical equipment industry in the country under the specific regulation of a law, the Health Ministry has sought the Cabinet's nod for a new Drugs and Cosmetics Bill, 2013 to replace the existing Act of 2007. Sources in the Health Ministry said a note proposing the new Bill has been sent to the Cabinet Secretary for approval of the Union Cabinet. Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had earlier cleared the proposal for bringing all medical devices and equipment under the proposed new Drugs and Cosmetics Act. If given a go ahead, the Ministry will move the Bill in Parliament for its approval. The Ministry wants to replace the existing Drugs and Cosmetics (Amentment) Act, 2007 and bring a separate chapter on medical devices and equipment setting standards and regulations for them.