Shillong, Sep.21: Meghalaya got its first Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (Amrit) Pharmacy at Civil Hospital, Shillong. Inaugurated by the Meghalaya Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Smti. Roshan Warjri, this 103rd Amrit Pharmacy in the country will provide life-saving drugs at heavily discounted rates for the benefit of the weaker sections of society.
Speaking at the function held at the Civil Hospital premises, Shillong, the Minister lauded the initiative taken by the Government of India to facilitate the setting up of Amrit pharmacy in the State run hospital where patients from the weaker section of society can afford to buy medicines at a highly subsidized rate. Stating that a significant number of patients stop visiting hospitals after two or three cycles of treatment due to unaffordable costs of medicines, the Minister hoped that this pharmacy will serve its purpose for the people of the State. She expressed happiness that besides cancer and cardio-vascular medicines and implants, the pharmacy will also provide medicines for other diseases as well which will be a blessing to the people of the State. She also informed that the Amrit Pharmacy outlets will also be set up at Ganesh Das Maternal and Child Health Hospital and other government hospitals in the State.
Mission Director NHM cum Secretary Health and Family Welfare, Government of Meghalaya, Shri. H M Shangpliang, in his speech informed that the Government is committed to provide quality and affordable health care to the people of the State. Therefore, the Government is in the process to link Amrit Pharmacy with the Meghalaya Health Insurance Scheme (MIHS) so that people can get maximum benefit from the pharmacy.
Additional Chief Secretary Meghalaya incharge Health and Family Welfare Department, Shri P W Ingty expressed happiness that the pharmacy is being set up in the Civil Hospital and hoped that it will serve a very useful purpose in the years to come.
The Government of India owned HLL Lifecare Ltd (HLL) will establish and run AMRIT pharmacy, which will sell both drugs and implants at significant discount on market rates, based on authentic prescriptions from doctors. “The Government of India is committed to reduce the expensive treatment to people by providing quality and affordable medicines. Besides medicines for cancer and cardio-vascular diseases, the pharmacy will also will dispense medicines for other diseases as well as per requirement of the hospital”, said Regional Manager HLL, East India, Smti. Rupa Chakraborty. (I&PR)
