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Propecia (TM): First ever pill against male pattern hair loss now available in Canada
TORONTO, June 29 /CNW/ -
A unique prescription treatment for male pattern hair loss (MPHL) is now
available. PROPECIA(TM) (finasteride 1 mg), has received federal regulatory
clearance from the Health Protection Branch of Health Canada. This is the
world's first and only once-daily tablet for male pattern hair loss. Results
of two-year long clinical trials involving 1,879 patients with male pattern
hair loss, showed that PROPECIA(TM) stops hair loss in 83 per cent of men
and stimulates hair growth in 66 per cent of subjects. ``Never before has
any other product demonstrated such impressive results. This medication
has been scientifically tested in large-scale clinical trials, more than
80 per cent of patients can now expect to either stop losing hair or actually
grow some back - that's a remarkable figure,'' said Dr. Walter Unger, Assistant
Professor of Medicine, Dermatology, Co-Director, Division of Dermatologic
Surgery, University of Toronto and Director, University of Toronto Hair
Loss Clinic, Wellesley Hospital. Trials for PROPECIA(TM) were conducted
in several countries, including four centres in Canada. Results from these
studies have been the subject of numerous presentations at the world's
most prestigious medical conferences including the last annual meeting
of the American Academy of Dermatology in Orlando, Florida.
How does PROPECIA(TM) work? In the early 70s, scientists discovered
that the enzyme 5-alpha reductase regulates the production of a derivative
of testosterone, called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is a powerful hormone
which shrinks hair follicles and eventually leads to hair loss. PROPECIA(TM)
works by stopping the action of the enzyme responsible for the transformation
of testosterone into DHT.
Male Pattern Hair Loss (Androgenetic Alopecia) Male pattern hair loss,
or androgenetic alopecia, is the most common form of hair loss in men.
Typically, the hairline recedes to eventually form a ``M'' pattern on top
of the head. It affects approximately 70 per cent of all men at some point
in their life. Some men will start showing signs of MPHL in their early
twenties and nearly 40 per cent of men will experience MPHL by the age
of 35. Male pattern hair loss is thought to be triggered by a combination
of heredity and DHT. Men with MPHL have hair follicles in the balding area
of their scalp that are sensitive to DHT. ``PROPECIA(TM) is a very exciting
product for men concerned by their hair loss. The drug is effective and
well-tolerated,'' said Dr. Paul Cotterill, clinical instructor for the
Department of Dermatology at the University of Toronto. PROPECIA(TM) is
taken once daily. It can be taken with or without food at any time of the
day. PROPECIA(TM) is available only by prescription. PROPECIA(TM) cannot
be prescribed to women or children. In clinical trials, PROPECIA(TM) was
well-tolerated by 98 per cent of patients. Less than two per cent reported
a decrease in the amount of semen or not as much libido. PROPECIA(TM) is
also available in seven countries. In December, 1997 the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) approved PROPECIA(TM) in the United States. PROPECIA(TM)
costs $1.49 per day exclusive of the pharmacist's dispensing fees. Merck
Frosst is based in Kirkland, Québec and is Canada's leading research-based
pharmaceutical company. The company markets an extensive line of cardiovascular
products for high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol and heart failure
as well as a broad range of vaccines. Merck Frosst is also a recognized
leader in the treatment of osteoporosis, HIV/AIDS, glaucoma, prostate disease
and other diseases. The company employs over 1,300 people of which approximately
300 are world-class scientists working in Medical Research and at the Merck
Frosst Centre for Therapeutic Research, the largest biomedical research
facility in Canada. The company currently spends more than $65 million
per year in the research and development of innovative pharmaceutical products.
Merck Frosst has just modernized its manufacturing facility at a cost of
$75 million and has invested an additional $13 million to expand its research
facilities.
(TM) Trademark Merck & Co. Inc., Merck Frosst Canada Inc. licensed
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