Dr Nitya Anand, who developed India's first oral contraceptive pill ‘Saheli’, passed away at SGPGIMS Lucknow following a protracted illness at the age of 99.

Obituary

Dr Nitya Anand, who developed India's first oral contraceptive pill ‘Saheli’, passed away at SGPGIMS Lucknow following a protracted illness at the age of 99. From 1974 to 1984, Anand served as the Central Drug Research Institute's (CDRI) former director. Since CDRI's founding in 1951, he has been its member. He oversaw 100 PhD students, published over 400 research papers, and received over 130 patents. He was the driving force behind Centchroman's discovery, also referred to as "Saheli".


      It was the first and only once-weekly, non-steroidal, non-hormonal oral contraceptive pill in history. In 1986, Rajiv Gandhi, who was prime minister at the time, introduced it.

      Saheli was incorporated into the National Family Programme of India in 2016.

      It is still the only non-hormonal, non-steroidal contraceptive available worldwide. Anand has also worked with the Government of India for nearly forty years, helping to design various drug policies. Anand is a Padma Shri recipient.

 

     


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