THE TGA's Advisory Committee on Medicines Scheduling is inviting public submissions on a number of scheduling amendments, including a change which would see a new Schedule 3 entry created for baldness treatment finasteride.
The expected use of the medication is "for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (male patterned hair loss) in men over 18," with the Committee saying finasteride fulfils the criteria for an S3 substance and would provide an alternative to topical minoxidil.
"Consumers can easily identify the symptoms of male pattern hair loss and it can quite easily be verified by the pharmacist, to ensure that there is no other reason for the hair loss," the consultation advises.
The Committee also noted the product had been on the market for a number of years, with no clinically significant identified drug interactions, and pharmacists are well equipped to provide advice to consumers on the adverse effects, interactions and contraindications - in particular the potential risk to the male foetus if finasteride is handled by pregnant women.
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