Suhail Rather

Bandipora, Nov 14 (KNS): Patients and attendants at District Hospital Bandipora have demanded the establishment of an AMRIT pharmacy within the hospital premises, saying the absence of such a facility forces them to purchase medicines from private medical stores at higher prices.

Residents said patients, particularly those from poor and middle-class families, often struggle to meet the cost of medicines, surgical items and other medical supplies. They said an AMRIT (Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment) outlet would help reduce their expenses and make essential medicines available at affordable rates.

An attendant, Gh Nabi, who was purchasing medicines for his wife, said he had to depend on private pharmacies where he was not receiving any discount.

“I am purchasing medicines for my wife from the open market, and there is no discount being offered to me. Medical expenses are already a huge burden on ordinary families. If an AMRIT pharmacy is established inside the hospital, it would provide considerable relief to patients and their attendants,” he said.

Another resident, Irfan, said the government should consider opening an AMRIT outlet at the hospital so that patients could purchase medicines and surgical supplies at reduced prices without having to visit several medical stores.

He said AMRIT pharmacies provide medicines, implants and other healthcare products at discounted rates, making them particularly useful for patients requiring long-term treatment.

According to government information, AMRIT pharmacies offer more than 6,500 medicines, implants, surgical products and other healthcare items, with average discounts of up to 50 per cent on their Maximum Retail Price (MRP).

Residents said the availability of such a facility within the hospital would also save time for attendants who frequently have to leave the hospital premises to purchase prescribed medicines.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

The AMRIT initiative was launched by the Union Government to make medicines and medical implants available at affordable prices and reduce patients' out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure.

According to a Government of India factsheet updated in 2026, as many as 285 AMRIT outlets were operational across 24 states and four Union Territories as of September 24, 2026.

The government figures also indicate that the initiative has served more than 8.13 crore patients since its launch. Healthcare products valued at approximately Rs 22,323 crore at MRP have been distributed through these outlets, resulting in estimated savings of Rs 10,969 crore for patients.

The factsheet does not provide separate figures for the number of AMRIT pharmacies operating in Jammu and Kashmir.

AMRIT pharmacies operate separately from Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras, another government-supported initiative aimed at providing affordable generic medicines.

According to Union Government figures, 373 Jan Aushadhi Kendras were operational in Jammu and Kashmir as of June 30, 2026.

Patients and local residents urged the Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Director Health Services Kashmir and Medical Superintendent of District Hospital Bandipora to take up the demand with the concerned authorities.

They said the proposed facility would particularly benefit patients from economically weaker sections who find it difficult to afford medicines prescribed during treatment.

Residents said access to affordable medicines should be an important part of healthcare services at government hospitals and hoped that the authorities would consider their demand. (KNS)