Srinagar, June 18 : The state government in its endeavour to provide quality and affordable medicines to the end users has taken an initiative to open AMRIT (Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment).
The pharmacies offer more than 5200 drugs, implants, surgical disposables and other consumables at average discounts up to 60 per cent of maximum retail price (MRP).
These stores are operating under the aegis of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
In the preceding year, the AMRIT impact can be understood from the fact that in the country, 118.52 lakh people availed its services and against MRP value of drugs i.e. Rs 1133.79 crore, saving to the patients was Rs 598.75 crore.
As on Tuesday, 23 states are having AMRIT stores. The total number of outlets is 149 out of which 29 are in central governmental institutions and 106 in state government.
These stores offer medicines, implants, surgical and ophthalmic products, and offer uninterrupted 24×7 services.
Initially, 18 stores are planned to be opened in the state which covers all the medical college hospitals, SKIMS and prominent associated hospitals of the state.
According to GNS, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of these institutions has been executed between respective Medical Superintendents and HLL Life Care Ltd on Tuesday at Government Medical College, Srinagar which is the Nodal Agency for AMRIT Pharmacies.
HLL Life Care Ltd. is committed to start its operation within two months.