Topical minoxidil for baldness

ABSTRACT

Topical application of minoxidil lotion has been widely promoted as an agent for the treatment of all kinds of baldness. Neither the Ministry of Health, Government of Bahrain nor the National Health Services [NHS] of the United Kingdom allows it to be made available to the patients on the prescriptions of the government appointed doctors. This decision to exclude it from the list of approved drugs available on NHS or similar government sponsored health care programme is based on its questionable efficacy, unproven safety and its enormous cost. Local availability in Bahrain only reflects the drug regulatory policy which allows the rich the freedom to use a drug which may rarely help, often lighten their purse and enrich, at least their urine