Step 1: Start with an authorised prescription
Consult the ECHS Medical Officer/specialist or follow the authorised referred-treatment prescription process. Keep the prescription legible and complete. ECHS published a new advisory on 19 August 2026 requiring unambiguous and legible clinical opinions/prescriptions from specialists of empanelled healthcare organisations.
Step 2: Take the prescription to the polyclinic pharmacy
Present the prescription and beneficiary entitlement as required. ECHS medicine management is designed to supply authorised medicines through the polyclinic system, subject to availability and current pharmacy rules.
Step 3: If the medicine is available
Collect the medicine and check the name/salt, strength, quantity and directions. ECHS policy focuses on generic medicines; the treatment-management SOP states that beneficiaries should not insist on a particular brand when the salt/content is the same.
Step 4: If the medicine is not available
Ask the polyclinic what authorised route applies. Depending on the current arrangement, this may involve procurement/supply through an Authorised Local Chemist or an applicable reimbursement procedure. Do not assume that buying privately first guarantees reimbursement.
Step 5: Authorised Local Chemist route
ECHS issued an Authorised Local Chemists advisory on 3 April 2025 and a modification of drug/consumable procurement procedure on 30 April 2025. Follow the polyclinic’s current instructions for collection/supply; the beneficiary should not substitute an unrelated chemist merely for convenience.
Step 6: If you are specifically authorised to buy and claim
Keep the ECHS card copy, prescription, original bill details, the Non-Availability (NA) certificate where required, and bank/cancelled-cheque details required by the claim process. The ECHS brochure lists these for NA-medicine reimbursement.
Step 7: Special or expensive medicines
Do not rely only on the general medicine rule for oncology, post-transplant drugs, insulin pumps or other special categories. ECHS has newer category-specific instructions, including anti-cancer medicine guidance in February 2026 and revised ECDL-2025 implementation in March 2026.
Step 8: Long-duration medicines
Certain categories can receive longer-duration supplies under applicable rules. A 2021 amendment provides up to 90 days in specified chronic/bedridden and difficult-area situations subject to medical endorsement and stock conditions, with separate provisions for beneficiaries going abroad. Ask the polyclinic to apply the current rule to your case.
Step 9: If supply remains pending
Keep the prescription and any non-availability/authorisation record. Ask the pharmacy/OIC Polyclinic for the status and authorised alternative. If the matter cannot be resolved locally, escalate through the Regional Centre. ECHS does not publish one universal guaranteed delivery time for every medicine.
Step 10: Common mistakes to avoid
Do not insist on a brand when an authorised equivalent salt is supplied; do not make a costly private purchase assuming automatic reimbursement; do not lose the NA certificate/original bill when the reimbursement route requires them; and check newer special-drug policies.
Step 11: Whom to contact
Start with the ECHS polyclinic pharmacy and OIC Polyclinic. Escalate unresolved supply/authorisation issues through the Regional Centre. The official ECHS website lists 1800-114-115 for clarification.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy an unavailable medicine anywhere and claim it?
Do not assume so. First obtain the authorised ECHS route and required non-availability/approval documents.
Can ECHS give a generic equivalent instead of my preferred brand?
ECHS policy focuses on generic medicines; the same salt/content may be supplied instead of a particular brand.
What documents are commonly listed for NA-medicine reimbursement?
ECHS brochure material lists ECHS card copy, prescription, bill details, NA certificate and cancelled-cheque copy.
Is there one fixed delivery time for unavailable medicines?
No universal guaranteed time is published for every medicine and procurement situation.
Are cancer and transplant medicines covered by the same simple rule?
Not always. ECHS publishes category-specific instructions, so check the latest Medical Section policy.