AMRIT pharmacy balm for the ailing, more outlets needed

Millions of people die every year from infectious diseases that are 'treatable and preventable' in several cases. Death toll is unacceptably high in developing countries, where many people die because they do not have access to effective and affordable medicines. The step taken by the PGIMER is, undoubtedly, praiseworthy and it must be made mandatory for the purchase of all drugs and consumables in a system of 'for-profit' healthcare.

Akash Kumar

Poor coordination main constraints

What’s good for our health, though, isn’t necessarily good for our wallets, with healthcare costs rising exponentially in the last decade. Cost of medical treatment has increased so much that it is one of the primary reasons driving people into poverty. Inadequate public investment in health, missing trust and engagement between various healthcare sectors and poor coordination between state and Central governments are the main constraints in assuring universal healthcare.

Nikhil Chopra

Make it mandatory for purchase of all drugs

It would be more than good if it is made mandatory for the purchase of all drugs and consumables at the PGI through AMRIT. Underprivileged and poor people rush to the PGI only for the treatment of their ailments as expenses of private hospitals are beyond their reach. The biggest hassle patients face at the PGI is a long wait for their turn. Varied time slots can be worked upon for early check-ups.

Rashi Srivastava, Chandigarh

More such outlets be made easily accessible to public

The service of making available medicines at affordable rates is indeed going to serve mankind. This facility should be extended for purchasing all drugs and related consumables. More such outlets should be made easily accessible to the public whether they are being treated at the PGI or not. Otherwise, it would result in increasing the footfall at the PGI where doctors are already overburdened and stressed.

Kamalpreet Kaur, Mohali

Right step to bring transparency

It is a right step to bring transparency in the system to check the overcharging of angioplasty consumables. Doctors cannot become the middlemen in directing the stuff. It is an effective measure to check overcharging that is why there is a hue and cry among some. The government should strictly order this directive to stop the patients from being looted.

Opinder Kaur Sekhon, Chandigarh

A laudable step

Printed MRP on medicines and medical consumable items by pharmaceutical companies is not sacrosanct/realistic. Hence, chemists/drug retailers earn fat profit margin even with a discount of 10 to 15 per cent on the MRP and fleece the gullible public/patients. Government’s decision to launch AMRIT outlets offering discount from 60 per cent to 70 per cent on the MRP is highly laudable.

SS Arora, Mohali

Management of sale of medicines needs to be streamlined

I feel the management of sale of medicines within the premises of the PGI needs to be streamlined. As of now, renting out the chemist shop is a source of corruption and overcharging from the patients. Renting a chemist shop to the highest bidder and then letting him play havoc with the people is no different from auctioning a liquor shop. Here, the chemist fleeces helpless patients.

Col RD Singh (retd), Ambala Cantt

Pvt players financially exploiting patients

If medicines and surgical items are being made available by government pharmacies through AMRIT outlets at 63 per cent discount at the PGI, then why private pharmacies/chemists are offering only 10-15 per cent discount. With such a huge margin of profit private players are financially exploiting the patients. It would, therefore, be worthwhile to open more AMRIT outlets without compromising with the quality to save exploitation of patients.

AS Ahuja, Chandigarh

Good initiative towards sincere service of the public

Opening of retail outlet of AMRIT pharmacy on the PGI campus, Chandigarh, is of immense succour to the needy patients of cancer and heart ailments for the purchase of genuine angioplasty consumables items and essential medicines at affordable rates. The star project of the Union Ministry of Health is a good initiative towards sincere service of the public to save hard-earned money of affected patients.

Bhupinder S Sealopal, Mohali

There should not be monopoly to one

It is encouraging to know that the PGI, Chandigarh, has made arrangements for the purchase of angioplasty consumables through AMRIT only on an average discount of 63 per cent all drugs, implants and surgical disposables etc. But my suggestion is there should not be monopoly to one and others may also be ready to give more concession to patients.

Tarlok Singh, Mani Majra

Boon to the ailing undergoing treatment

The step taken by the PGI authorities will be a boon to the ailing undergoing treatment at the PGI, provided the items are available at all times and no pilferage takes place at AMRIT. Whenever a store of such things is opened, malpractices start. These loopholes should be plugged. Items stored should be of good quality and concession to poor patients should be provided. Another area of concern will be staff’s honesty and behaviour.

Bharat Bhushan Sharma

Programme should be extended to all govt hospitals

Kudos to the Administration for opening an AMRIT store at the PGI for providing medicines and surgical equipment at one-third rates of the market price. It will certainly wipe off the tears of patients. This flagship programme of the Union Health Ministry should be extended to all government hospitals to alleviate the poor patients from their misery. It will benefit the local patients and also those who visit the PGI from near and far-off areas.

Nikita Kapur, Chandigarh

Add such stores at Sector 16, 32 hospitals

The opening of AMRIT at Nehru Hospital by the PGI is a boon for the ailing patients. Patients suffering from cancer, diabetes and cardio-vascular diseases can buy over 250 medicines and cardiac implants at a whooping discount of 60-80 per cent. The Administration should add such stores at two big hospitals of Sector 16 and Sector 32, which are also doing a yeoman’s service to the humanity.

Harish Kapur, Chandigarh

Need to ensure credibility of products

Indeed it is a welcome initiative by the PGI to provide relief to patients and their kin. It is a much-needed step, particularly for poor patients. This should be made mandatory. But before this, there is a need to ensure the credibility of products and reliability of source of supply.

Vidya Sagar Garg, Panchkula

Keep constant check on demand & supply

The scheme under the name of AMRIT being introduced by the government to sell essential implants at highly reduced rates to cancer and heart patient would unquestionably prove advantageous to the poor if implemented honestly. The adequate supply of the bits and pieces is important to be upheld and keeping a constant check on demand and supply is even more important so that the attendants may not be exploited.

Surinder Paul Wadhwa, Mohali

Facility must also be extended to other costly medicines

The step taken by the PGI to purchase costly implants through AMRIT is highly appreciable. The step will go a long way in helping the poor to avail costly medical treatment at affordable prices. This will also help in reduction of corruption made by medico-dealer nexus for the purchase of implants during the surgeries. The facility must also be extended to other costly medicines to make treatment affordable for the poor people.

Wg Cdr Jasbir Singh Minhas (retd), Mohali

AMRIT outlets should have sufficient stocks

The Ministry of Health must ensure that AMRIT opens more outlets not only in government hospitals but in all private hospitals where patients are fleeced by chemists to charge all these surgical essentials at the demanded prices. It must also be ensured that these AMRIT outlets do have sufficient stocks of all essential medicines.

SC Luthra, Mani Majra

Open house  question

The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation elections are now three weeks away. Besides, the main political parties, several rebels and Independents are all set to enter the poll battle. How was the five-year performance of the outgoing MC House and what are the main issues that the parties and candidates need to address for the December 18 civic poll? Send your comments in not more than 70 words at openhouse@tribunemail.com