The India–EU Free Trade Agreement could significantly strengthen cancer care by improving access to high-quality chemotherapy drugs, critical consumables, and advanced medical equipment through lower tariffs and smoother regulatory pathways, according to Uday Deshmukh, chairman & founder CEO of Onco-Life Cancer Centre.
Deshmukh further states that if the savings translate into hospital procurement, the treatment costs can come down, and access to innovative therapies can expand faster not only in cancer care but in healthcare in general.
He explains, “Beyond pricing, the bigger upside is technology transfer and deeper collaborations that build India’s med-tech ecosystem and accelerate the adoption of precision oncology and next-generation cancer technologies. The result could be higher standards of care and quicker upgrades across Indian hospitals, provided implementation is effective, and benefits reach patients.”
“The India EU FTA also enables regulatory convergence and predictability, a critical enabler for long-cycle MedTech investments and global quality certifications. By improving access to advanced diagnostics and precision technologies, it strengthens healthcare delivery outcomes while lowering system-wide costs,” says Dr GSK Velu, chairman and managing director- Trivitron Healthcare, Neuberg Diagnostics and Maxivision Super Speciality Eye Hospitals.
Dr Vishwa Srivastava, CEO - APAC, SS Innovations International Inc., shares his insights on how this development could enhance India’s export competitiveness and further strengthen the global acceptance of Made-in-India medical technologies, especially in highly regulated markets like the European Union (EU).
Dr Srivastava states, “The proposed reduction in EU tariffs on industrial and medical equipment is a significant and timely step that can accelerate the global competitiveness of Indian MedTech innovation. For companies like SS Innovations, which are developing advanced, Made-in-India surgical robotic systems, lower tariff barriers open new opportunities to scale exports, improve price competitiveness, and strengthen India’s position as a trusted global manufacturing hub. This policy move not only supports trade efficiency but also reinforces the growing acceptance of high-quality Indian medical technologies in regulated international markets such as the EU.”
Sharing his views, Suresh Nair, partner, Indirect Tax, EY India says, “The India–EU FTA provides substantial benefits for the pharmaceutical and medical devices sectors, subject to phased implementation and final ratification details. The EU will eliminate tariffs of up to 11% on pharmaceuticals and reduce tariffs on approximately 90% of medical devices from up to 27.5% to zero. The agreement strengthens regulatory cooperation, simplifies compliance procedures, and enhances intellectual property protections, improving the competitiveness of Indian exporters in this sector.”
Nair further says that EU firms gain improved access to India’s fast-growing market for high value medical technologies. Overall, the FTA is expected to significantly expand bilateral market access and contribute to growth in high skill employment and manufacturing across both regions. Besides this, ongoing monitoring of non-tariff barriers and compliance requirements will help address potential challenges.
While talking about EU FTA advantage to the MSME sector, Namit Joshi, chairman, Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) says, “Beyond tariffs, enhanced cooperation on non-tariff barriers, regulatory transparency, and customs facilitation will materially improve ease of doing business by reducing friction and timelines, an outcome that matters most to smaller exporters. The India–EU FTA is not a short-term export stimulus; it is a long-term competitiveness framework that empowers MSMEs and positions Indian pharma for resilient, quality-led growth.”
Talking about advantage to pharma industry and exports, Saurabh Agarwal, director, HAB Pharma says, “India EU FTA’s balanced approach to intellectual property will further preserve India’s strengths in generics while providing regulatory certainty for long-term planning. Improved cooperation on non-tariff barriers, customs facilitation, and regulatory alignment will significantly reduce friction for MSME exporters for whom time, cost, and predictability are decisive factors.” |