Dr Nitya Anand, man who discovered India's first oral contraceptive pill 'Saheli', dies at 99

Dr Nitya Anand was 99. (Image: @CSIR_IITR/X)

Dr Nitya Anand, who discovered India’s first oral contraceptive pill ‘Saheli’, passed away after a prolonged illness at SGPGIMS Lucknow on Saturday. He was 99. His last rites will be held on Monday.

Anand was also the former director of the Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) from 1974 to 1984. He was with CDRI since its inception in 1951. He published over 400 research papers and over 130 patents and supervised 100 PhD students, according to a report by Times of India.

He was the brain behind the discovery of Centchroman’, popularly known as ‘Saheli.’ It was the world’s first and only non-steroidal, non-hormonal, once-a-week oral contraceptive pill. It was launched by then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1986.

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.

“His stay in CDRI, first as a scientist, then as head of the medical chemistry division (1963-1974) and later as a director (1974-1984) has been of great significance in shaping and nurturing budding scientists of the institute,” CDRI spokesperson and senior scientist Sanjeev Yadav said.

Anand also contributed in assisting and formulating different drug policies for the Government of India for almost four decades. He also an advisor and consultant to many scientific bodies and institutions.

A Padma Shri awardee, Anand is survived by his sons Neeraj Nityanand and Dr Naveen Nitya Anand, and daughter Dr Sonia Nityanand, who is the vice-chancellor of King George’s Medical University (KGMU).