How to start Medical Device Manufacturing Company?

In India import, manufacture, sale and distribution of Medical devices is regulated under Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940; and Rules, 1945.

What are Medical Devices?

Medical Devices is referred to any instrument, appliance, material, machine, apparatus, implant or diagnostic reagent  etc and/or any part or accessory which is used or intended for

• the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation, cure, monitoring or prevention of disease, physical  or mental condition, or abnormal physical or mental states or symptoms etc.; or
• As notified in Gazette of India

Most commonly used medical devices manufacturing in India are covered in this article:

• Cardiac Stents
• Drug Eluting Stents
• Catheters
• Intra Ocular Lenses
• I.V. Cannulae
• Bone Cements
• Heart Valves
• Scalp Vein Set
• Orthopedic Implants
• Internal Prosthetic Replacements

Requirements:

• Factory Premises (As per WHO:GMP and/or Schedule M-III)
• Competent Technical Staff i.e. Manufacturing Chemist and Analytical Chemist
• Machinery and Lab Equipment
• Office Accessories
• Machine Men and Workers
• Electricity Supply
• Water Supply
• HVAC unit
• Sterilization Unit
• List of medical Devices to be manufactured
• Non Objection Certificate if required

Licences Required:

• Company Registration (in case proprietorship you may skip this process)
• Manufacturing License
• Laboratory License
• Goods and Service Tax Number

Documents required for applying for Manufacturing License of Medical Devices:

Application is to be submitted to Licensing Authority appointed by the State Government or Center Government.

Below we are listing detail of documents that will be required for applying for grant of licence in form-28 for Manufacture of Medical Devices in India:

• Covering Letter including details and address of plant, list of documents and duly signed by authorized person.
• Prescribed Forms duly filled and signed by the Proprietor / Managing Partner / Managing Director/authorized person
• Fees challan in original remitting the required amount of fee in the Head of Account or Original Treasury Challan
• Documents related to ownership of firm (Proprietorship/Partnership/Company)
• Blueprint of Approved Manufacturing Premises Plan/Layout .
• Full particulars of competent and regular technical staff for manufacturing and testing of Medical Devices along with the copies of Educational Qualification, Experience Certificate, Appointment Letter, Acceptance Letter, Joining letter etc.
• Affidavits
• Site Master File
• List of Medical Devices intend to be manufactured
• List of machinery and equipment
• Electricity Connection Documents
• NOC if required
• Permission from Health Department/Pollution Department etc.
• Certificate in conformity with Factories Act if any
• Any other approvals (e.g. US FDA)
• Any other documents asked by Licensing Authority

In case of New Devices/not yet approved in India, the applicant has to submit a copy of necessary permission/NOC from the Drugs Controller General (I) along with the application.
All certificates submitted should be within the validity period.

Competent Technical Staff:

Medical Devices manufacturing shall be conducted under supervision of whole time technical staff who may be

• A graduate in Pharmacy or Engineering (in appropriate branch) from a University recognised by the Central Government for such purposes and has had at least eighteen months practical experience in the manufacturing or testing of devices to which this licence applies after his graduation; or
• A graduate in science, from a University recognised by the Central Government for such purposes, with Physics or Chemistry or Microbiology as one of the subject and has had at least three years practical experience in the manufacturing or testing of devices to which this licence applies after his graduation; or
• A diploma in Pharmacy or Engineering (in appropriate branch) from a Board or Institute recognised by the Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be, for such purposes and has had at least four years practical experience in the manufacturing or testing of devices to which this licence applies after his diploma; or
• Having a foreign qualification, the quality and content of training of which are comparable with those specified in clause (i), clause (ii) and clause (iii) and is permitted to work as competent technical staff under this rule by the Central Government

Labeling of Medical Devices:

Medical Devices should be labeled as per requirements prescribed in Drug and Cosmetic Act and Rules along with Indian Standards Specifications laid down from time to time by the Bureau of Indian Standards

Sections for Manufacture of Medical Devices: –

Medical Device can be manufactured only in a Licensed Premises. A Medical Devices manufacturing unit can be divided into following sections/operations:

• Moulding (The molding section should have proper exhaust system if necessary)
• Assembling (include cutting, washing and drying, sealing, packing, labelling, etc.). The assembling area should be air-conditioned provided with HEPA filters
• Raw Materials
• Storage Area
• Washing, drying and sealing area (wherever required
• Testing facilities

Minimum Recommended Area:

• Moulding: 30 square meters
• Assembling: 15 square meters
• Additional Area: 20 square meters if any more than one type of medical devices is manufactured in same premises
• Raw Material: 10 Square meters
• Storage Area: 10 square meters for each facility i.e. intermediate and finished product
• Washing, Drying and Sealing: 10 Square meters
• Sterilization: 10 Square Meters
• Testing Facilities, Records and Miscellaneous works: As per Need