Title: India's medical device imports: 1987–2003

Authors: Ajay Mahal, Dhruva Kothari

Addresses: Department of Population and International Health, Harvard School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston 02115, USA. ' Poverty Action Lab at MIT, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 30 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA

Abstract: Objectives: To analyse trends in imports of medical devices in India during the period 1987-2003. Methods: Commodity-level import statistics were used to assess the growth in imports of medical devices in India. These data were analysed using additional information on growth of national income, human resources for health, domestic production and exports of medical devices; and cross-country data on MRI-imports. Results: Imports of devices increased sharply in the 1990s. Both supply and demand side-factors played a role in these trends. Conclusion: The growth of imported medical devices and potential links with health costs calls for systematic technology assessment work in India.

Keywords: medical device imports; healthcare technology; medical devices; economic reform; India; technology assessment; health costs.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHTM.2009.025821

International Journal of Healthcare Technology and Management, 2009 Vol.10 No.3, pp.182 - 195

Published online: 24 May 2009 *

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