With the aim to reduce the expenditure incurred by patients on treatment of cancer and heart diseases, the Ministry for Health & Family Welfare, has launched the Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) programme. As part of the programme, retail outlets will sell drugs for the cancer and heart diseases at highly discounted rates. In the same lines, Assam Government introduced AMRIT programme with the establishment of AMRIT pharmacies in six Medical Colleges of the Assam. They include Guwahati Medical College Hospital, Assam Medical College Hospital Dibrugarh, Silchar Medical College Hospital, Jorhat Medical College Hospital, Tezpur Medical College Hospital and FAA Medical College Hospital, Barpeta. Important drugs for cancer, cardiovascular medicines and implants which are quite expensive can be availed at discounted rates. The Government of Assam has signed an MoU with HLL Lifecare Ltd to provide essential drugs at 50 to 70 per cent discount at AMRIT pharmacies. If successful, the Government plans to open up AMRIT pharmacies in district bedded hospitals.
