How is a Year of Finasteride Just 60 Bucks?

Hello Doctors,

I would like to comment on a response from a doctor to a previous post, which stated:

“If you cannot afford Propecia (1mg finasteride), there is generic 5mg finasteride for sale at a cost of around $60 a year. Yes, a year. Any pharmacy will have this 5mg generic. You just need a doctor that will prescribe this higher dose to treat hair loss (it’s a prostate medication otherwise), and you’ll need to cut the pill into 4 pieces (easier than cutting into 5 parts).”

I would like to know if Dr. Rassman or Dr. Pak prescribe a generic of finasteride? Also, can you provide more information about the generic that costs $60 a year (sound too good to be true).

Thanks

We do prescribe the generic 5mg finasteride to patients that request it. The pills are quite low cost and since they need to be cut into 4 pieces, it makes a 90 day supply turn into a 1-year supply.

The 1mg finasteride (Propecia) is not available legally in the US due to patent laws, but I read that the patent is expiring in late 2013. In the meantime, the 5mg dose is available in a generic at any US pharmacy… you just need your doctor to prescribe it to you with the knowledge that you’ll cut the pill before taking it. The 5mg is available because it is a prostate medication… 1mg is for treating hair loss.