Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda Launches 10 New AMRIT Pharmacies

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda inaugurated 10 new AMRIT (Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment) pharmacies on the occasion of the scheme’s 10th anniversary. This move underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing access to affordable essential medicines and medical devices across the country.

AMRIT: A Decade of Transformative Impact

Launched in 2015, the AMRIT initiative has grown into a nationwide network of over 255 outlets spanning 24 States and 4 Union Territories. The newly launched centres include key medical and academic institutions,

1. PGI Neuroscience Centre, Chandigarh
2. GMCH Unit-II, Jammu
3. State Cancer Institute, Jammu
4. AIIMS Deogarh
5. Dental Hospital, Srinagar
6. SCTIMST, Trivandrum
7. Mumbai Port Trust
8. IIT Jodhpur
9. AIIMS Gorakhpur
10. AIIMS Kalyani (Unit 3)

These centres provide medicines and implants for conditions including oncology, cardiology, orthopaedics, and endocrinology, at discounts of up to 50% off the maximum retail price (MRP).

Key Achievements of AMRIT Pharmacies

• Over 6.85 crore patients have benefited from the initiative.
• Medicines worth ₹17,000 crore have been dispensed.
• Total estimated savings for patients exceed ₹8,500 crore.
• 6,500+ drugs and medical devices are available through the AMRIT network.
• The program operates through HLL Lifecare Limited, a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Vision for Expansion

J.P. Nadda emphasised the goal to expand the AMRIT network to at least 500 outlets, ensuring that every medical college and district hospital in the country has access to these affordable services. He urged for greater public awareness and called upon HLL to accelerate the growth of the initiative.

He also launched,

• Ecogreen 2.0, an upgraded digital platform for operational efficiency.
• A customised My Stamp, in collaboration with India Post, commemorating the initiative.

Why AMRIT Matters

The AMRIT scheme is vital in,

• Reducing out-of-pocket expenditure on medicines.
• Improving treatment access for chronic and life-threatening conditions.
• Supporting India’s goal of Universal Health Coverage.

Static GK Facts

Scheme Name: AMRIT (Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment)

• Launched: 2015
• Total Pharmacies (2025): Over 255
• New Pharmacies (Nov 2025): 10
• Patients Benefited: Over 6.85 crore
• Medicines Dispensed Value: ₹17,000 crore
• Patient Savings: Approx. ₹8,500 crore