Raj. CHO -2024: All of the following are true about Centchroman (Centchroman) except one-

Raj. CHO -2024

Pharmacology

Medium

Appeared in: Raj. CHO -2024

Explanation

The statement regarding a fixed price of 5 Rs. per pill is incorrect.
Centchroman is distributed free of cost under the government's family welfare program as 'Chhaya'.
In the private sector, it is sold as 'Saheli' at a variable commercial price, not a standardized 5 Rs.
This makes the price claim the false statement among the given options.

Option B: This is a true statement. Centchroman (Ormeloxifene) is a well-known non-steroidal and non-hormonal oral contraceptive, classified as a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM).
Option C: This is a true statement. 'Saheli' is the most popular and widely recognized commercial brand name for Centchroman in the private market.
Option D: This is a true statement. Centchroman was indigenously developed at the Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) in Lucknow, India, marking a significant achievement in Indian pharmaceutical research.

Visual 1: Image - A side-by-side comparison of the packaging for 'Saheli' (private market) and 'Chhaya' (government supply) to reinforce the two brand names.
Visual 2: Infographic - A weekly calendar view illustrating the dosage schedule for Centchroman: twice a week for the first 3 months, then once a week thereafter.
Visual 3: Flowchart showing Centchroman dosing: Weeks 1–12: twice weekly (e.g., Sun & Thu); After week 12: once weekly; Include branches for missed pill and backup contraception during first 3 months.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Pharmacological properties and public health program details of Centchroman (Ormeloxifene) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Centchroman is a crucial contraceptive option in the Indian public health system, especially for women who have contraindications to hormonal pills (e.g., history of thrombosis) or are breastfeeding.
Nurses must counsel patients on the unique weekly dosage schedule, which is different from daily oral contraceptive pills, to ensure compliance and effectiveness.
A common side effect is delayed menses. It is vital to educate users about this to prevent anxiety and unnecessary discontinuation of the method.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify that this is an 'except' question. This means you are looking for the one false statement among four options.
Read the question stem carefully to understand the core subject: Centchroman.
Evaluate each option for its factual accuracy based on your knowledge of pharmacology and public health programs.
Option A makes a very specific claim about price (5 Rs.). Prices can vary and are often not this standard, making it a suspicious statement.
Options B, C, and D state well-known facts about Centchroman: its non-hormonal nature, its brand name 'Saheli', and its development by CDRI.
By confirming that three statements are true, you can confidently identify the remaining statement (about the price) as the false one, which is the correct answer to the 'except' question.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Pharmacological properties and public health program details of Centchroman (Ormeloxifene).
Stem keywords: Centchroman, true, except
Lead-in keywords: except
Negative lead-in flag: The question asks for the statement that is NOT true.