Amrit pharmacies introduce handling charges, spark cost concerns

Time of India

a day ago

Chandigarh: In a move that could significantly impact public healthcare budgets and patient affordability, AMRIT (Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment) pharmacies have introduced handling charges, potentially draining Rs 35 crore annually from hospital funds across India.
PGIMER Chandigarh, which houses nine AMRIT outlets—the highest in the country—is expected to be hit hardest. Originally launched to provide affordable medicines to critically ill patients, AMRIT pharmacies are now demanding a 17.5% mark-up, a sharp rise from the 7% proposed two years ago. PGI officials are holding negotiations with AMRIT to limit the mark-up to 7% and protect patient interests.
Although the payment structure is technically government-to-government, the increased costs are expected to indirectly affect patients, many of whom rely on these stores for essential medications.
Previously, AMRIT outlets did not charge any handling fees, making them a vital resource for affordable treatment.
Concerns are also growing over the quality and pricing of drugs sold at these stores. Patients have reported that AMRIT outlets are increasingly stocking branded generics with high profit margins, resulting in only marginal savings—around 15%—compared to private pharmacies outside the hospital.
This undermines the initiative's original goal of making treatment more accessible.
The situation has also reignited debate over PGI's long-pending proposal to establish its own pharmacy, modelled after SGPGI Lucknow's successful in-house system. Proposed in 2017, the plan involved direct procurement from manufacturers, bypassing middlemen and offering deeper discounts.
Despite identifying space for the pharmacy, the project was never implemented. Faculty members now question the continued dependence on private players, especially when a self-reliant model could offer better control over pricing and quality. As discussions continue, the focus remains on ensuring that patient welfare is not compromised, and that public healthcare initiatives stay true to their mission of affordability and accessibility.