India should bring new regulations to make Indian PPE makers globally competitive: Experts

Mumbai, October 25, 2021:

Experts are of the view that to make Indian PPE makers globally competitive, the Indian government must match its regulatory framework with international norms. The PPE market requires assistance since it remains fragmented and lacks pricing transparency.  

Since masks, sanitizers and PPE kits have become a necessity and part of people’s daily lives, they can be made more affordable. This would also obliterate the illegal market for counterfeit goods. Certifying more manufacturers who only lack financial support can be helped through investments which would in turn reduce fake and counterfeit products in the market, experts say.

At present, the PPE market is plagued by fake products due to unnecessary greed of some people who try to make profits out of others misery. These are people who try to increase their profit margins by selling their fake products in this time of need.

Talking about demand for PPE kits post Covid-19, Harjiv Singh, Board Member of GlobalPPEMart said, "Yes, I believe these are times when we have to be prepared. Researchers and doctors are still debating if Covid-19 has become an endemic or not, and there is really no telling when a third wave might or might not happen.”

The industry needs to be absolutely ready for it. The vaccination drive in India is going really well, considering almost 70 per cent of the eligible Indian population has already received their first dose, but masks and other protective equipment still needs to be worn. As a result, a consistent supply of high-quality PPE equipment will ensure the safety of all citizens, he said.

He further said, "Even after Covid-19, this pandemic has shown us the importance of a stronger healthcare system. We need to develop a strategy for promoting PPE, such as masks, gloves, and other protective equipment, at a reasonable cost. Over the next two years, India should focus on increasing its domestic R&D activities in order to enhance manufacturing quality and competitiveness".

On how fake products can be combated, Singh said, "We have to bring more transparency into the industry, especially in terms of quality. A regular check on the kind of products that are being sold accompanied with increased level of certification standard will help reduce fake products in the industry." PharmaBiz