Why Won’t my Doctor Prescribe Proscar for Hair Loss?

This question was posed  by a hair loss sufferer seeking hair loss help  on our hair restoration forum  and answered by  Dr. Ricardo Mejia  of  Jupiter, FL who is one of our recommended hair restoration physicians. His professional answer is below.

There are certain medical legal liability issues patients ask their doctors to do that is sometimes in a grey area. A physician is responsible for any medication he prescribes to you. For all practical purposes, Proscar is indicated for the treatment of Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH). Upon  writing a prescription for Proscar (finasteride), that doctor assumes the medical liability for any condition related to your prostate. Obviously your hair loss  doctor and dermatologist are not your primary doctor and not checking your prostate etc.

Consequently it is more feasible and practical for your family physician or internist to write for this medication, since they assume the risk of your medical care. Additionally, some patients ask for this in order for their insurance to cover the medication. This is another grey area which some might consider to be fraudulent since a doctor is writing  a prescription for a medical reason which it is not indicated and the insurance is paying for it. There are several risk management issues that can potentially place a doctor’s license in jeopardy if it were ever called or investigated.   Every doctor has to have their own comfort level with the ethical and risk management side of their practice and prescription writing habits.

Dr. Ricardo Mejia

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Bill
Associate Publisher/Editor

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