Rising raw material costs raise concern for India’s medical device industry

India’s medical device manufacturers have raised concerns over a sharp increase in the price of polypropylene, a key raw material used in producing essential hospital consumables such as syringes and intravenous fluid bags.

Industry representatives say the surge in prices has been triggered by disruptions in global petrochemical supply chains. The situation has begun to affect production costs for several medical consumables that are widely used across hospitals and healthcare facilities.

Manufacturers warn that if the trend continues, it could place pressure on supply and pricing of basic medical devices that are critical to routine healthcare services. Syringes, IV bags and other disposable products rely heavily on polypropylene, making the industry sensitive to fluctuations in its availability and cost.

Several companies have urged the government to closely monitor the situation and explore possible measures to stabilise supply. Industry bodies have also suggested reviewing import duties and ensuring adequate domestic availability of raw materials.

Healthcare experts note that maintaining a stable supply of medical consumables is essential for the functioning of hospitals, vaccination programmes and emergency care services. Any sustained disruption in the supply chain could affect both public and private healthcare providers across the country.