A study reveals that men prescribed finasteride, a hair loss medication, often lack safety checks, exposing them to serious side effects like suicidal thoughts and sexual dysfunction. Kyle, 26 from Wakefield, regrets taking the drug online without consulting a doctor, as it has left him mentally and emotionally devastated. Despite being told about his baldness through a form, he took the prescription pills unaware of their risks.
Online prescriptions now require prescribers to confirm patients have read the medication’s side effects, though some packs still miss a safety alert card. Regulatory bodies warn manufacturers must add these alerts by next year or face stricter penalties.
Patients like Kyle argue online prescriptions should include thorough medical checks and allow prescribers to discuss risks and benefits in person or via video calls. The British Association of Hair Restoration Surgery and experts warn against unverified prescriptions, emphasizing the importance of patient education and robust prescribing processes.
James Davies, head of pharma at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, stresses that thorough checks are essential whether online or in-person, ensuring prescribers understand risks and benefits before prescribing finasteride.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c05p1pnvymvo