Eucapil – Comments from the Inventors

I received this comment to my post from last month about Eucapil from M. Sovak, M.D., University of California Medical School —

Response from the inventors of Eucapil:

We understand that a comment by Dr. Rassman was published on the site consecrated to the surgical hair loss restitution. We therefore understand that plastic surgery will remain the priority of its practitioners.

We nevertheless have to correct a number of statements which are erroneous:

1. Eucapil is not a cosmetic available only in “the Czech and Slovak countries”. Eucapil was approved as a cosmetic in the Czech and Slovak Republics and thus under the EU Law of Cosmetics can be made available in all EU countries.

2. The definition of a cosmetic in Europe is not the same as in the US and the producer of Eucapil, Interpharma Praha, is not making any medical claims whatsoever. In the EU, a cosmetic is a product which acts on the skin and its appendages without having any systemic effects.

3. It is not clear what “good things for the appearance of hair” means. To state that there is no suggestion or proof that Eucapil can reverse hair loss is simply untrue. We refer the reviewer to the appropriate scientific presentations and articles in peer-reviewed journals on the website, www.eucapil.com (Sovak M, Seligson AL, Kucerova R, Bienova M, Hajduch M, Bucek M. 2002. Fluridil, a rationally designed topical agent for androgenetic alopecia: first clinical experience. Dermatol Surg 28:678-685, with an erratum on p.971; Bienova M, Kucerova R, Hajduch M, Fiuraskova M, Sovak M. Efficacy and Safety of Eucapil Gel in hirsutism (Pilot Study). Proceedings of 14th Congress of European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, London, October 12-16, 2005; Kucerova R, Bienova M, Novotny R, Hajduch M, Fiuraskova M, Seligson AL, Sovak M. Eucapil in Female Androgenetic Alopecia: Efficacy and Safety after 9-month use. Proceedings of 14th Congress of European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, London, October 12-16, 2005).

4. Everybody in hair dermatology knows that the reversal of hair loss can occur only if the follicles are still viable and this applies to systemic therapy such as one with finasteride (Propecia) or the topical material such as minoxidil (Rogaine). We agree, however, with Dr. Rassman that the ultimate and best way of dealing with hair loss which can no longer be reversed is to use implants and other plastic surgery approach which today has been developed to excellence.

5. Eucapil IND has recently been filed with the US FDA with all relevant preclinical and clinical information. We should perhaps state that the primary endpoint of the studies is arrestation of hair loss of those who suffer from continuous effluvium (hair fall out) and that as a secondary point and based on clinical observation there is a statistically significant increase in the hair diameter which may be responsible for the overall improved appearance of the hair. We wish to be sure that the readers of this response understand that Interpharma is not a “producer of natural supplements” which pushes “claims that may not be valid”. Interpharma works strictly under good manufacturing practices (GMP) and publishes its findings in recognized journals. More information for anyone who would wish to read scientific abstracts is contained at the Eucapil website, www.eucapil.com.