AMRIT Pharmacy Scheme expands as J.P. Nadda inaugurates 10 new outlets offering up to 50% discount on essential medicines, boosting affordable healthcare access across India.
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda Launches 10 New AMRIT Pharmacies: A Major Boost to Affordable Healthcare
Inauguration of New AMRIT Pharmacies
Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash (J.P.) Nadda announced the launch of 10 new AMRIT (Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment) pharmacies, marking the 10th anniversary of the AMRIT scheme. The launch event took place as part of the celebration of “AMRIT Ka Dasvan Varsh”.
These newly inaugurated outlets are strategically located in prominent medical institutions across India:
- PGI Neuroscience Centre, Chandigarh
- GMCH Unit-II, Jammu
- State Cancer Institute, Jammu
- AIIMS Deogarh, Jharkhand
- Dental Hospital, Srinagar
- SCTIMST, Trivandrum, Kerala
- Mumbai Port Trust Hospital, Maharashtra
- IIT Jodhpur, Rajasthan
- AIIMS Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh
- AIIMS Kalyani (Unit 3), West Bengal
What AMRIT Pharmacies Offer
These AMRIT outlets provide a wide range of essential medicines and medical devices including oncology, cardiology, orthopaedics, and endocrinology treatments. Patients can access branded medicines and implants at steep discounts — up to 50% off the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) according to the Health Ministry.
The scheme is implemented through HLL Lifecare Ltd., a public-sector enterprise under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
Milestones and Reach in 10 Years
Since its launch in 2015, the AMRIT initiative has grown significantly:
- There are now over 255 AMRIT outlets across 24 states and 4 Union Territories.
- More than 6.85 crore patients have benefited from the scheme.
- Medicines and implants worth ₹17,000 crore (MRP) have been dispensed so far.
- The estimated savings for patients is around ₹8,500 crore.
- Over 6,500 drugs and medical devices are available under the AMRIT network.
Vision for Expansion
J.P. Nadda emphasized the goal of expanding the AMRIT network to at least 500 outlets. He stressed that every medical college and district hospital in India should have an AMRIT pharmacy to ensure universal access.
To support this vision, he called on HLL Lifecare to accelerate its efforts. Public awareness about the AMRIT scheme was also highlighted as a critical need so that more citizens can benefit.
Digital & Infrastructure Initiatives Launched
Along with the inauguration, J.P. Nadda launched several complementary initiatives:
- EcoGreen 2.0: An upgraded digital platform to improve supply chain transparency and operational efficiency of AMRIT pharmacies.
- A customised postage stamp (“My Stamp”) in collaboration with India Post to commemorate AMRIT’s 10-year journey.
- Additional infrastructure support including a mobile pharmacy van for rural outreach in NCR and a 24×7 national contact centre to help patients with medicine availability, pricing, and locating AMRIT pharmacies.
Why AMRIT Matters for Universal Health Coverage
The AMRIT scheme aligns strongly with India’s larger health policy goals:
- It reduces out-of-pocket expenditure on medicines, which is one of the biggest financial burdens on patients.
- By providing essential medicines and implants at affordable rates, it improves access to healthcare, especially for those with chronic or life-threatening conditions.
- It strengthens India’s public health infrastructure by embedding pharmacies in major government institutions and expanding into underserved areas.
Why This News Is Important
Strengthening Affordable Healthcare
This development is a significant move in India’s public health policy because it directly lowers the cost barrier for life-saving treatments. By offering essential medicines and implants at nearly half the MRP, AMRIT pharmacies help reduce out-of-pocket expenses — an especially important factor for low- and middle-income populations.
A Boost for Public Health Infrastructure
Expanding AMRIT pharmacies into medical colleges and district hospitals helps decentralize access to subsidized medicines. Nadda’s goal to reach 500 outlets shows a push toward integrating such services into the broader healthcare system.
Support for Universal Health Coverage (UHC)
The AMRIT initiative contributes directly to India’s UHC goals by making essential treatments accessible, regardless of socioeconomic status. This aligns with the government’s vision of equitable and affordable healthcare for all.
Digital & Operational Efficiency
With the launch of EcoGreen 2.0, the scheme is not just expanding physically, but also improving its digital backbone. Better transparency, better tracking, and more efficient operations mean that the AMRIT network can scale sustainably.
Awareness & Patient Outreach
Despite AMRIT’s decade-long existence, awareness remains a challenge. Nadda’s emphasis on public awareness campaigns and the establishment of a 24×7 national contact centre reflects the importance of making sure people know about these affordable options.
Historical Context
Origins of AMRIT
The AMRIT scheme was launched in 2015 with the aim of providing affordable medicines and medical implants to Indian citizens. It was envisioned as a complement to other government pharmacy initiatives like Jan Aushadhi, to deepen access to high-quality medical supplies at lower costs.
Growth Over the Decade
Over the past ten years, the AMRIT network has grown to 255 outlets across 24 states and 4 Union Territories. These pharmacies are typically located in public hospitals, medical colleges, and national institutes, making life-saving treatments more accessible to a wider section of society.
Milestones Achieved
By now, AMRIT pharmacies have dispensed medicines and implants worth ₹17,000 crore (at MRP), and cumulatively saved patients about ₹8,500 crore. More than 6.85 crore patients have benefited from this initiative.
Institutional Mechanism
The scheme is executed through HLL Lifecare Ltd., a Government of India Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The organization is not only responsible for procurement and distribution, but also for managing the supply chain and ensuring the quality of medicines and implants. Over time, HLL has introduced digital systems (like EcoGreen) to strengthen operations.
Key Takeaways from This News
Key Takeaways from AMRIT Pharmacies Launch
| # | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | 10 new AMRIT pharmacies inaugurated by Health Minister J.P. Nadda to mark the 10th anniversary of the scheme. |
| 2 | The new outlets are in significant institutions like PGI Chandigarh, AIIMS Gorakhpur, IIT Jodhpur, and more |
| 3 | AMRIT offers medicines and implants at steep discounts (up to 50%), covering critical areas like oncology, cardiology, orthopaedics, and endocrinology. |
| 4 | Over the last decade, 6.85 crore patients have benefited, saving a total of around ₹8,500 crore, with ₹17,000 crore worth of medicines dispensed. |
| 5 | The government plans to expand the AMRIT network to 500 outlets, aiming to cover every medical college and district hospital, backed by a new digital platform (EcoGreen 2.0) and improved outreach. |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the AMRIT Pharmacy Scheme?
The AMRIT (Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment) scheme is a government initiative launched in 2015 to provide essential medicines and medical implants at discounted rates of up to 50%.
2. Who inaugurated the 10 new AMRIT pharmacies?
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda inaugurated the new AMRIT pharmacies on the occasion of the scheme’s 10th anniversary.
3. How many AMRIT outlets currently operate in India?
There are over 255 AMRIT outlets across 24 states and 4 Union Territories.
4. Which organisation operates the AMRIT pharmacies?
The pharmacies are run by HLL Lifecare Ltd., a PSU under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
5. What types of medicines are sold at AMRIT stores?
They offer medicines and medical devices used in oncology, cardiology, endocrinology, orthopaedics, and other major treatments.
6. How much discount do AMRIT pharmacies provide?
They provide up to 50% discount on MRP, helping reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses.
7. Who benefits most from AMRIT pharmacies?
Patients suffering from chronic diseases, cancer, lifestyle disorders, and those requiring expensive devices benefit the most.
8. What is the government’s expansion target for AMRIT pharmacies?
The government plans to expand the network to 500 outlets, aiming for coverage in all medical colleges and district hospitals.
9. What is EcoGreen 2.0?
EcoGreen 2.0 is a newly launched digital platform designed to improve supply chain efficiency and transparency within AMRIT pharmacies.
10. How many patients have benefited from the AMRIT scheme so far?
More than 6.85 crore patients have benefited from discounted medicines and implants under this scheme.
11. How much have patients saved under the scheme?
An estimated ₹8,500 crore has been saved by patients over the last decade.
12. Do AMRIT outlets operate only in central institutes?
No. They operate in AIIMS, state government hospitals, medical colleges, district hospitals, and specialty institutes.
13. Are AMRIT pharmacies different from Jan Aushadhi stores?
Yes. AMRIT pharmacies focus on discounted branded medicines and implants, while Jan Aushadhi stores promote generic medicines.
14. Which new states received AMRIT pharmacies in the recent inauguration?
States like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Jammu & Kashmir received new outlets.
15. Does AMRIT also include mobile pharmacy services?
Yes. A mobile pharmacy van was launched to enhance outreach, especially in NCR and rural areas.
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