Question : Elimination of TB

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is planning to eliminate Tuberculosis (TB) from India by 2025;

(b) if so, the concerted action plan prepared for elimination of TB;

(c) whether the Government is planning to create roadmap for essential devices list and a separate policy for medical devices;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the measures taken by the Government to the accessibility and affordability of medical devices to masses?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)
(a) & (b): The Ministry has developed the National Strategic Plan (NSP) for Tuberculosis (2017-2025) with the goal of ending TB by 2025.
The key focus areas are:
• Early diagnosis of all the TB patients, prompt treatment with quality assured drugs and treatment regimens along with suitable patient support systems to promote adherence.
• Engaging with the patients seeking care in the private sector.
• Prevention strategies including active case finding and contact tracing in high risk / vulnerable population
• Airborne infection control.
• Multi-sectoral response for addressing social determinants.
(c) to (e): Government has, on 31.01.2017, notified Medical Devices Rules, 2017 under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 to regulate clinical investigation, manufacture, import, sale and distribution of notified medical devices in the country. The Rules have become effective from 01.01.2018. The new rules seek to remove regulatory bottlenecks to make in India, facilitate ease of doing business while ensuring availability of better medical devices for patient care and safety. The rules further seek to provide a conducive environment for fostering India specific innovation and improving accessibility and affordability of medical devices across the globe by leveraging comparative cost advantage of manufacturing in India.