The AMRIT (Affordable Medicine and Reliable Implants for Treatment) scheme aims to reduce expenditure incurred by patients on treatment of cancer and cardiovascular (heart) diseases to make health care affordable for poor.  

Under it, retail outlets in the name of AMRIT pharmacy are opened to sell drugs for cancer and heart diseases at highly discounted prices than the market rates.  The project is implemented by government owned HLL Lifecare Ltd (HLL) which is deputed to establish and run AMRIT chain of pharmacies across the country. 

At the AMRIT outlets, 202 cancer and 186 cardio-vascular drugs will be available at reduced rate of 60 to 90% compared to market rates. AMRIT Pharmacy outlets are generally setup in AIIMS, Government Medical College Hospitals, Government Colleges and District Hospitals which have about 300 beds. 

For example, in Delhi they are set up at AIIMS, RML, LHMC, Safdarjung Hospital, Charak Palika Hospital, Centre of Dental Education and Research (CDER), AIIMS, and National Cancer Institute. 

In total 172 pharmacies have been opened so far in India. In the private and social sector, we have similar model in Dawaa Dost pharmacy chain in Rajasthan.   

 Dr KK Aggarwal

Padma Shri Awardee

President Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania (CMAAO)

Group Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications

President Heart Care Foundation of India

Past National President IMA