Centre expands affordable healthcare network with launch of 10 new AMRIT pharmacies

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 15, 2025

The Union government on Saturday announced a major boost to affordable healthcare by launching 10 new AMRIT (Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment) pharmacies across the country. The initiative, unveiled by Union Health Minister JP Nadda in the national capital, marks the 10th anniversary of the AMRIT programme, which has played a crucial role in expanding access to affordable, life-saving medicines.

Nadda said the network, launched in 2015, has grown to more than 255 outlets across 24 States and four Union Territories, significantly reducing the cost burden of essential drugs for millions of people. Expressing satisfaction over the programme’s decade-long journey, he highlighted its transformative impact in ensuring quality medicines at affordable rates.

The newly launched centres will operate at PGI Neuroscience Centre in Chandigarh, GMCH Unit-II and the State Cancer Institute in Jammu, AIIMS Deogarh, Dental Hospital Srinagar, SCTIMST in Trivandrum, Mumbai Port Trust, IIT Jodhpur, AIIMS Gorakhpur, and AIIMS Kalyani Unit 3, further expanding the programme’s footprint in key medical institutions.

Nadda noted that AMRIT pharmacies, along with Jan Aushadhi Kendras launched in 2014, were conceived to provide accessible, affordable, and equitable healthcare. “These centres are taking care of essential medicines, along with those ranging from oncology to cardiac care to orthopaedic care and specialised interventions for both medicines and medical devices,” he said.

AMRIT outlets offer essential medicines, life-saving drugs, and medical devices at discounts of up to 50 per cent on maximum retail prices. “The 50 per cent discount offered on branded medicines covering oncology, cardiology, orthopaedics and endocrinology, without compromising on quality, is commendable,” Nadda added.

The network today offers more than 6,500 drugs and medical products and has benefitted over 6.85 crore patients. Over Rs 17,000 crore worth of medicines have been dispensed through AMRIT outlets, generating cumulative patient savings estimated at over Rs 8,500 crore.

Nadda urged HLL Lifecare Limited (HLL), the public sector enterprise managing the programme, to double the number of AMRIT outlets to “at least 500”, stressing that all private and government medical colleges and district hospitals should have AMRIT pharmacies. He also emphasised the need to raise awareness about the scheme.

During the event, the Health Minister also launched the upgraded Ecogreen 2.0 digital platform and unveiled a customised My Stamp in collaboration with India Post, further marking a decade of progress in affordable and accessible healthcare.