Accreditation must for medical imaging gadgets

The Quality Control of India (QCI) has started accreditation norms for diagnostic centers regarding medical imaging services. The initiative has been taken to ensure high-quality care and patient safety in small centers and laboratories mushrooming across India. The medical imaging services include X-rays, gamma rays, MRI, CT scan, ultrasound scan, bone densitometry, and so forth, which are regularly used for detection and diagnosis of diseases. "The norms will help us to safeguard good centers and prevent the bad ones from offering faulty services," said Dr Giridhar J. Gyani, secretary general, QCI, adding that diagnostic centers will have to get accreditation on a voluntary basis.

Regulatory checks on medical devices essential

In order to ensure safety and efficiency of medical devices, Central Government has proposed a regulatory check on the quality of medical equipment. Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, said that an extensive amendment to the current drug law is under progress to bring the regulation of all medical devices directly under health ministry. With the implementation of the amendment, all medical device manufacturers and importers will be required to register with Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI). But, stringency in such requirements will vary according to the nature of the devices. For instance, high-risk implantable devices like stents will be directly regulated and licensed by DCGI. On the contrary, low-end and inexpensive devices like thermometers and X-rays could be self-regulated by the industry.

Gujarat FDCA to set up testing lab for medical devices

The Gujarat Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) is planning to set up a new laboratory dedicated for testing quality of medical devices in the premises of its existing drug testing laboratory at Baroda. The laboratory is claimed to be the first dedicated facility set up by a state drug regulatory office in the country to monitor the standard of the latest medical devices approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) under the category of drugs. The administration has already received a nod from the state government to set up the laboratory along with a primary fund allocation of Rs. 25 lakh. At present, the officials are comprehending a list of machinery and equipment required to be established in the new facility to test the latest medical devices, said H G Koshia, commissioner, FDCA, Gujarat.

MEDICALL 2010

MEDICALL is one of the India's premier medical equipment expo. It showcases a comprehensive range from hospital information system, solutions, surgical and examination furniture, rescue and emergency equipment, to diagnostic/laboratory equipment dental / ophthalmology equipment, medical disposables and cleaning equipment. In its 5th edition, MEDICALL 2010 will be hosted from 06-08 August 2010, at Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai. It will bring together the best in the business of hospital, diagnostics, pharmaceutical, medical and rehabilitation equipment and supplies. The range of exhibits stretches from the diminutive syringes to top-of-the-line ambulances. This edition however, specializes in breakthrough hospital management software, energy-saving equipment, hospital flooring, housekeeping equipment, nurses alarm system, liquid oxygen and central pipeline, physiotherapy equipment, autoclave and sterilizers. Chennai is the venue of choice because it is the headquarters of one of India's first corporate chain of hospitals namely Apollo Hospitals.