Low-cost Asean imports worry medical device companies

A recent anti-dumping investigation initiated by India into dialyser (renal care) imports from China and Malaysia has highlighted growing concerns over the influx of low-priced medical device imports from Southeast Asian countries. Imports from Asean nations increased by 14% to nearly Rs 13,000 crore for the fiscal year 2025-26, with syringes, medical gloves, dialysis products, consumables and imaging equipment leading the surge.

Chinese-origin products are increasingly entering India through Asean countries, thanks to zero-duty benefits under the free trade agreement, which is making it difficult for domestic companies to recover their investments in local manufacturing, according to industry executives.

Chinese and Malaysian dialysers have doubled in imports to Rs 256 crore over the last two years, severely impacting domestic manufacturers. Himanshu Baid, MD at Poly Medicure, expressed that despite India's ability to manufacture world-class dialysis products, the influx of artificially depressed prices from China and Malaysia leaves little room for fair competition. The urgent need for FTA renegotiation to safeguard domestic industry was emphasized by Rajiv Nath, forum coordinator of AiMeD.

Sanjeev Marjara, director technical at Allengers Medical Systems, pointed out that key components like X-ray tubes and flat-panel detectors used in imaging devices are largely imported, making it challenging for domestic manufacturers to invest in indigenous production. While some players have invested in the government's Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to reduce import dependence, they now find it increasingly difficult to compete in the domestic market.

Sanjeev Marjara expressed support for free trade agreements but noted that the tariff structure on critical inputs must support domestic manufacturing.