The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has appointed 22 Drug Inspectors (Medical Devices) to strengthen the implementation and enforcement of the Medical Devices Rules, 2017 across the country. The appointments have been made by the Department of Health and Family Welfare under Section 21 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
As per a notification issued by Joint Secretary Harsh Mangla, the newly appointed inspectors have been authorized to exercise powers and perform duties under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and the Medical Devices Rules throughout India.
The inspectors will be responsible for conducting inspections of medical device manufacturing and sales establishments, assessing compliance with regulatory requirements, monitoring quality standards, and taking enforcement action where necessary. Their appointment is backed by Sections 21 and 22 of the Act, which define the scope of their authority and responsibilities.
Industry experts have welcomed the move, describing it as an important step toward strengthening regulatory supervision of the growing medical devices sector. However, stakeholders have also reiterated the need for a dedicated regulatory framework tailored specifically to medical devices, along with a larger workforce of technically qualified professionals, particularly those with engineering and device-specific expertise.
