CDSCO: Medical Devices (MD) Online Registration in India

Medical Devices have become more than just a necessity for human lives as they offer prevention, analysis, and speedy recovery from life-risking diseases. However, earlier there was a lack of regulations for medical devices giving rise to the manufacturing of sub-standard medical devices and equipment. However, the CDSCO launched the medical device registration scheme in the year 2006 for monitoring and regulation of medical device registration. The CDSCO is primarily responsible for registering medical devices, regulating new drugs and clinical trials, and setting standards for drugs. It also coordinates the work of the state drug control organizations and offers expert advice in order to ensure that the Drugs and Cosmetics Act is consistently enforced throughout the nation. Any individual or organization involved in the production, import, sale, or distribution of medical devices must thus register their medical device through the CDSCO Portal. 

Medical Devices include any instrument/apparatus/appliance/ implant/material or another article, either used solely or in combination including any software or accessory designed by the manufacturer to be employed particularly for human beings or animals that don't attain the key proposed action in or on human body or animals through any pharmacologic/ immunological/metabolic means, but assists in its envisioned function:

 Diagnosis, prevention, monitoring, treatment or mitigation of any disease, disorder
 

 Diagnosis, monitoring, treatment, mitigation or assistance for any injury or disability
 

 Examination, replacement or variation
 

 Support of the composition or a physiological process.
 

 Allows sustaining or support of life
 

 Enables disinfection of medical devices
 

 Regulation of conception
 

Some of the medical devices that need registration in India include spinal needles, cochlear implants, annuloplasty rings, tracheostomy tubes, dental implants, surgical sealants, heart valves, cardiac stents, orthopaedic implants, endotracheal tubes, etc.

Currently, there are two different categories of medical devices for Medical Devices Registration through the SUGAM portal which have been explained below:

Notified Medical Devices:

As of now, the CDSCO authorities have notified a list of 30+ categories of medical devices that mandatorily require registration and even require prior approval from CDSCO to market such marketing devices in India. For such devices, there are separate forms for application and different documents required to be submitted to the approving authority.

Non-Notified Devices:

Further, other non-notified devices have not yet been notified and regulated. Thus, the registration of such devices has been made voluntary under the CDSCO SUGAM portal.

Class of Medical Device:

Meets Significant Requirements of the Indian Market:

In order to address the substantial need for accessible healthcare in India, the Indian authorities are progressively depending on international manufacturers to fulfil the considerable requirement. As a result, the implementation of the medical device registration scheme becomes valuable for ensuring control and uniformity in the quality of these products.

Registration Monitoring and Oversight:

Following registration, the Drugs and Cosmetics Act mandates manufacturers and distributors to give precedence to adhering to the provisions of the Act. This involves conducting on-site evaluations of medical devices. Manufacturers have the opportunity to aid the audit team in identifying possible concerns, thereby averting penalties for violations through product registration. This process guarantees adherence to regulations and the safety of patients.

Legal Protection through Compliance:

Relentless pressure to maintain medical device compliance has made manufacturers worry about preparing and distributing products according to prescribed guidelines, but with medical device registration, it becomes easier.

Opportunities for Higher Growth & Sales:

The Indian government addresses escalating demand for medical devices by allowing overseas manufacturers to enter the Indian market, ensuring compliance with CDSCO guidelines, and maintaining a high-profit margin.

Improve Brand Identity:

The Indian market has seen a shift in manufacturers' obligations to register their products, allowing them to explore the market dynamically. However, the steep penalties make it sense not to infringe on guidelines for profit.

Step 1: Product Verification: The initial stage in the process of importing a medical device involves verifying whether it necessitates registration under the Medical Device Rules of 2017 and determining its classification as either a regulated or unregulated product.

Step 2: Portal Registration: After this, navigate to the online CDSCO SUGAM platform and initiate the signup procedure to acquire login credentials for website access.

Step 3: Application Submission: Submission of an application for a manufacturing license for these specified devices to the SLA using Form 27, and for the CLA through Form MD-3 or MD-7, alongside the necessary fee on the online portal.

Step 4: Scrutiny of the Application: On receipt of the application, the approving body will scrutinize the application, conduct an inspection of the manufacturing premises, and perform tests on the medical devices.

Step 5: Grant of Certificate: After which, if the approving authority is of the view that the applicant's medical device in question is genuine, and manufactured in line with the pre-specified guidelines, then it may grant the registration followed by a notification to the applicant.

Obtaining the Medical Devices registration could be a bit challenging due to the complex process of the documents required and the processes involved. However, with the right amount of guidance and consultation, you could easily acquire Medical Device registration within the prescribed time. At Agile Regulatory we are committed to helping budding entrepreneurs by enabling them to acquire business licenses smoothly and carry on their business.