Topic– Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
2) There is a need to ensure that medical device policies in our country are aligned for maximal public good. Comment.(250 words)
Why this question
The medical device market is growing at a phenomenal rate of 15% and is poised to double its size by 2020. Besides, medical devices are crucial to realise the dream of ‘Health for All”. It is therefore essential to deliberate upon the need to align our medical device policies with the maximum good.
Directive word
Comment- here we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Key demand of the question
The question wants us to express your opinion and understanding on the given issue- need to align our medical device policies so as to achieve maximal good. We have to support our answer with proper and valid arguments/ facts/examples.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– mention that in spite of our global dominance with pharmaceuticals and vaccines, India continues to lag far behind in the medical devices sector. India imports over 75 per cent of its domestic medical device requirements etc.
Body– bring out the need to align our medical device policies and deliberate upon the benefits it could bring. e.g mention the CAGR of around 15 % over the last few years, huge potential in future and discuss the need for proper fiscal and regulatory measures for facilitating the creation of ecosystems to turn India into a hub for medical devices; to increase research funding for better execution through innovative, dedicated platforms — for example Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) equivalent for devices — while curating extensive industry-academia partnerships; Extensively promoting the existing low-tech segment; Innovatively incentivising the middle segment to scale-up, and; simultaneously driving-up public investments initially into R&D of high-tech segment etc.
Conclusion- Based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.