JP Nadda Inaugurates AMRIT Pharmacy’s 10th Anniversary, Announces Expansion to 500 Outlets Nationwide

New Delhi– Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J. P. Nadda  inaugurated the 10th anniversary celebrations of the AMRIT (Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment) Pharmacy network at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The event marked a decade of providing affordable medicines and recognized the government’s continued efforts to strengthen universal health coverage.

AMRIT pharmacies, launched in 2015, have played a transformative role in reducing treatment costs by offering essential and life-saving medicines at discounts ranging from 50% to 90%. Over the past ten years, the network has benefited more than 6.85 crore patients, dispensing medicines worth over ₹17,000 crore (MRP) at significantly lower prices. This has enabled cumulative patient savings exceeding ₹8,500 crore.

Addressing the gathering, Nadda lauded HLL Lifecare Ltd. for their consistent efforts in expanding access to affordable healthcare. He recalled the government’s commitment—initiated in 2014 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi—to make healthcare accessible, equitable, and financially affordable for all. Jan Aushadhi and AMRIT, he noted, were both launched with this vision.

The Health Minister highlighted that AMRIT pharmacies have now grown to more than 255 outlets across India. HLL has committed to doubling this number to 500 outlets in the near future.  Nadda emphasized that while all AIIMS institutions are currently equipped with AMRIT pharmacies, the next major objective is to ensure that every medical college and every district hospital in India hosts an AMRIT pharmacy, bringing affordable medicines closer to citizens across all regions.

He also stressed the need for enhanced public awareness, stating that more people must be informed about the availability and benefits of AMRIT pharmacies so they can utilise the discounted services effectively.

Union Health Secretary  Punya Salila Srivastava, speaking on the occasion, reiterated that AMRIT was launched to fulfill the Prime Minister’s vision of equitable access to quality medicines. She praised HLL and the AMRIT network for their promise to further expand operations with “Josh, Junoon and Jazbaat”—energy, enthusiasm, and spirit.

Delivering the vote of thanks, Ms. Anitha Thampi expressed gratitude to Nadda for his leadership and acknowledged the continuous support of senior officials and Health Secretaries. She appreciated the dedication of HLL and AMRIT teams whose work on the ground has ensured the availability of affordable medicines to millions.

During the ceremony, Nadda inaugurated 10 new AMRIT outlets across India, marking another milestone in improving access to essential medicines. He also launched AMRIT ITes – Eco Green Version 2.0, an upgraded digital platform designed to enhance transparency, streamline operations, and make the network more environmentally sustainable. Additionally, a customised My Stamp was released in collaboration with India Post.

A Coffee Table Book documenting the journey, achievements, and impact of AMRIT over the past decade was unveiled at the event. A Mobile Pharmacy Van was also flagged off to extend AMRIT’s reach to rural areas in the NCR region, enabling doorstep delivery of affordable medicines to remote communities. To strengthen citizen services, a 24×7 National Contact Centre was launched to provide real-time information on medicine availability, pricing, and the nearest AMRIT outlet.

HLL Lifecare Ltd., the implementing agency for AMRIT, is a Mini Ratna Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. With a portfolio that spans contraceptives, medical devices, diagnostics (Hindlabs), AMRIT pharmacies, infrastructure development, procurement, and consultancy services, HLL remains a key contributor to India’s healthcare ecosystem. The organisation operates seven advanced manufacturing units, five subsidiaries, and a corporate R&D centre focused on innovation.