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Proscar and Other Drugs not FDA Approved for Hair Loss- Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Question:

I stumbled across an article discussing criminal fines and penalties Pfizer Inc. faced by promoting drugs to treat conditions for which the FDA had not approved. See http:://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/sep/03/pfizer-agrees-to-record-23-billion-fine/. What impact does this have on using Proscar and Avodart for hair loss since they haven't been FDA approved to treat baldness?

Answer:

This is a great question. I've posted a quote from another article below which I think explains it all:

"Use of drugs for so-called 'off-label' medical conditions is not uncommon, but drug manufacturers are prohibited from marketing drugs for uses that have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration."

There is no law against consumers using medication for other conditions and/or dosages of medication higher or lower than what's FDA approved. It's only illegal for drug companies to promote medication for conditions other than what's been FDA approved.

Thus, since Proscar and Avodart aren't promoted or marketed as hair loss treatments, nobody is in violation of any law. However, consumers should always be very careful and learn all there is to know about any and all medications whether they're FDA approved or not for an intended use. All medication comes with the possibility of side effects and it's crucial to consult with a physician before taking any medication.

I hope this helps.

Bill Seemiller (Falceros) - Associate Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q & A Blog.
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