A recent report has raised concerns about a potential shortage of minoxidil, a widely used drug to combat hair thinning and hair loss. Researchers from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences conducted a study in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area to assess the availability of minoxidil in local pharmacies.
Study Details
The research team contacted various pharmacies, including CVS, Giant, Walgreens, and Harris Teeter, reaching out to a total of 277 pharmacies during the first week of October. They inquired about the stock of 2.5mg and 10mg minoxidil tablets, specifically focusing on the availability of a 30-day supply of the drug.
Findings
The study’s results revealed a concerning shortage of minoxidil in certain regions:
Only 23% of the pharmacies in Northern Virginia had both dosages available in sufficient quantities for a 30-day supply.
Approximately 18% of the pharmacies in Washington, D.C. reported similar availability.
In Maryland, less than 15% of the pharmacies had adequate stock of both dosages.
Overall, approximately 40% of the pharmacies had enough lower-dose tablets for a 30-day supply, and about 30% had enough of the higher-dose tablets for a 30-day supply.
Minoxidil was initially developed to treat hypertension in the 1970s. However, its potential to alleviate hair loss in some patients was observed, leading to the introduction of a low-dose version designed specifically for hair regrowth in 1986. While the drug has been available in topical solutions such as Rogaine for years, it has gained popularity in recent times, especially through telehealth companies like hims, which offer it via mail order without the need for an in-person doctor consultation.
The precise mechanism by which minoxidil stimulates hair growth is not fully understood, but there is some evidence that its blood vessel dilation properties, used to treat hypertension, may also contribute to its effects in reversing hair loss.
Impact and Warnings
Dr. Adam Friedman, Chair of Dermatology at George Washington University and one of the authors of the report, noted that discontinuing minoxidil abruptly could lead to patients losing the hair they had regained. This shortage could have significant implications for individuals relying on minoxidil to address hair loss issues.
The study serves as an alert to the potential challenges of accessing this popular hair loss drug and emphasizes the importance of monitoring the situation to ensure that individuals with hair loss concerns can continue to obtain the necessary treatments.
