On 15 November 2025, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda inaugurated 10 new AMRIT (Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment) pharmacies in New Delhi, marking a significant milestone as the initiative completes its 10th anniversary. The expansion aligns with the government’s broader plan to scale the network from the current 255 operational outlets to 500, significantly enhancing access to affordable medicines across the country.
AMRIT’s Milestone Moment
Launched in 2015 under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the AMRIT pharmacy network was established to provide life-saving medicines, implants, and surgical consumables at heavily subsidised rates. Over the past decade, the scheme has grown into a critical pillar for patients suffering from chronic and life-threatening conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes.
During the anniversary event, Minister Nadda highlighted the impact of the AMRIT scheme in reducing out-of-pocket expenditure and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to widening its reach, particularly among economically vulnerable populations.
From 255 to 500 — A Bold Scaling-Up Plan
The planned expansion to 500 outlets reflects an aggressive growth strategy aimed at strengthening India’s healthcare affordability landscape. HLL Lifecare Ltd, the public-sector undertaking managing the AMRIT chain, recently introduced a refreshed brand identity to reinforce the programme’s pillars of reliability and affordability.
Key Features of the Expansion Plan:
- Home Delivery Services: Designed to support patients with mobility challenges or chronic conditions requiring regular medication.
- Digital Integration: Enhanced supply chain oversight, improved inventory management, and better consumer service.
- Wider Geographic Coverage: Prioritising tertiary-care hospitals, government facilities, and high-disease-burden regions.
Impact to Date: What the Numbers Show
- As of late 2024, over 218 AMRIT pharmacies were operating across 29 states and union territories.
- The centres collectively offer more than 6,500 medicines, implants, and consumables, many at discounts of up to 50 percent.
- The scheme has substantially benefited patients requiring long-term therapies, such as those battling cancer or cardiovascular illnesses.
- Complementary health programmes, including Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), have further amplified the benefits by reducing the financial burden of complex procedures.
Challenges and Emerging Concerns
While the AMRIT expansion has been applauded, healthcare stakeholders have flagged several concerns that may affect its long-term sustainability:
- Handling Charges: Some outlets have introduced a handling fee, raising questions about increased costs for hospitals and the indirect impact on patients.
- Shift in Product Mix: Industry observers have noted a rising presence of branded generics in AMRIT pharmacies, prompting debates over whether this shift aligns with the programme’s original mandate of offering deep discounts.
As AMRIT celebrates a decade of service, the inauguration of 10 new pharmacies and the ambitious plan to expand to 500 outlets reflect a renewed national push towards affordable and equitable healthcare. By reducing the cost of critical medicines and enhancing public access, the scheme continues to reshape India’s healthcare affordability landscape. Moving forward, its success will depend on maintaining a balance between accessibility, transparency, and sustainable operations — a balance that will determine its impact on millions relying on essential, life-saving drugs.
