Dr Nitya Anand, Who Gave India Its First Oral Contraceptive Pill Passes Away At 99
In 2016, Saheli was incorporated in the National Family Programme of India. Even today, it is the only non-steroidal non-hormonal contraceptive in the world, the publication reported.
Dr. Nitya Anand, who is credited for having discovered India¡¯s first oral contraceptive pill ¡®Saheli,¡¯ passed away at the age of 99 after a prolonged illness at SGPGIMS Lucknow on Saturday. His last rites will be conducted on Monday.
Anand, the former director of the Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) from 1974 to 1984, had been associated with CDRI since its inception in 1951. He authored over 400 research papers, held more than 130 patents, and mentored 100 PhD students, as reported by the Times of India.
Latestly_Marathi
He played a pivotal role in the development of ¡®Centchroman,¡¯ widely known as ¡®Saheli.¡¯ This groundbreaking oral contraceptive pill was the world¡¯s first and only non-steroidal, non-hormonal, once-a-week contraceptive, launched by then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1986.
In 2016, Saheli was included in India's National Family Programme. To date, it remains the sole non-steroidal non-hormonal contraceptive globally, according to the publication.
¡°His tenure at CDRI, initially as a scientist, then heading the medical chemistry division (1963-1974), and later serving as director (1974-1984), has been profoundly impactful in shaping and nurturing emerging scientists at the institute,¡± said CDRI spokesperson and senior scientist Sanjeev Yadav.
With Agencies Inputs
News Editor with Indiatimes. He writes on National Affairs and the Middle East.
