NEW DELHI: Reduction in customs duties on X-ray tubes and flat panel detectors, the key components of digital X-ray machines, is unlikely to bring down the cost of diagnostic imaging.
Industry sources told TOI that the move is aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing of the device, which is widely used in hospitals to detect fractures, pneumonia, dental problems etc, and reducing the cost of X-ray screening in the long run.
“These revised rates are expected to provide greater availability of parts at lower costs and have a positive impact on the X-ray equipment industry. The changes are expected to boost the medical equipment sector in the country, improve availability of parts, reduce healthcare costs and make advanced medical imaging more accessible and affordable,” the government official said.
Currently, most digital x-ray machines are imported, either in whole or in parts, and assembled domestically.
According to government sources, on January 22, 2021, the Drugs and Medical Devices Administration had notified the Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP) to promote domestic manufacturing of medical x-ray equipment and certain sub-assemblies/components/sub-parts and proposed changes in customs duties in a phased manner.
However, sources said the industry has told the DA that domestic manufacturing capacity for X-ray tubes and flat panel detectors is not yet in place and has requested a revision in the PMP schedule for these items.
“After careful consideration in this regard, it was realised that it may take at least two years to establish sufficient domestic manufacturing capacity for X-ray tubes and flat panel detectors to meet the domestic demand. The Drugs Authority then requested the Revenue Department to revise the rates, which has now been implemented.”
“Currently, digital X-ray machines, which are imported from the US and China, cost anywhere between Rs 1.8 million to over Rs 10 million. If domestic manufacturing is successful, the same equipment can be produced at a much lower cost, ultimately leading to a reduction in diagnostic imaging using this equipment. It may also become more feasible to ensure wider availability of X-ray machines, including in primary health care centres spread across the country,” said Dr Harsh Mahajan, chairman and founder, Mahajan Imaging, who is also chairman of FICCI's Health Services Committee.
Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, president and CEO of Fortis Healthcare, said the government's move to revise customs duties on key components of X-ray machines will help boost domestic manufacturing. However, he added that some of the healthcare sector's long-standing demands have not been addressed in the current budget. “This includes increasing spending on healthcare to 2.5% of GDP,” Raghuvanshi said.
Industry sources told TOI that the move is aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing of the device, which is widely used in hospitals to detect fractures, pneumonia, dental problems etc, and reducing the cost of X-ray screening in the long run.
“These revised rates are expected to provide greater availability of parts at lower costs and have a positive impact on the X-ray equipment industry. The changes are expected to boost the medical equipment sector in the country, improve availability of parts, reduce healthcare costs and make advanced medical imaging more accessible and affordable,” the government official said.
Currently, most digital x-ray machines are imported, either in whole or in parts, and assembled domestically.
According to government sources, on January 22, 2021, the Drugs and Medical Devices Administration had notified the Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP) to promote domestic manufacturing of medical x-ray equipment and certain sub-assemblies/components/sub-parts and proposed changes in customs duties in a phased manner.
However, sources said the industry has told the DA that domestic manufacturing capacity for X-ray tubes and flat panel detectors is not yet in place and has requested a revision in the PMP schedule for these items.
“After careful consideration in this regard, it was realised that it may take at least two years to establish sufficient domestic manufacturing capacity for X-ray tubes and flat panel detectors to meet the domestic demand. The Drugs Authority then requested the Revenue Department to revise the rates, which has now been implemented.”
“Currently, digital X-ray machines, which are imported from the US and China, cost anywhere between Rs 1.8 million to over Rs 10 million. If domestic manufacturing is successful, the same equipment can be produced at a much lower cost, ultimately leading to a reduction in diagnostic imaging using this equipment. It may also become more feasible to ensure wider availability of X-ray machines, including in primary health care centres spread across the country,” said Dr Harsh Mahajan, chairman and founder, Mahajan Imaging, who is also chairman of FICCI's Health Services Committee.
Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, president and CEO of Fortis Healthcare, said the government's move to revise customs duties on key components of X-ray machines will help boost domestic manufacturing. However, he added that some of the healthcare sector's long-standing demands have not been addressed in the current budget. “This includes increasing spending on healthcare to 2.5% of GDP,” Raghuvanshi said.
