Discount Pharmacies May Save Patients Significant Money on Androgenetic Alopecia Medications Compared to Both Traditional Pharmacies and Direct-to-Consumer Companies

The document highlights that discount pharmacies, such as Costco and the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company, offer significant savings on androgenetic alopecia medications like finasteride and minoxidil compared to direct-to-consumer (DTC) platforms and traditional pharmacies. Despite the convenience of DTC platforms, their bundled services often result in higher costs. For instance, patients can save $11 (5%) annually on finasteride and $99 (29%) on minoxidil by choosing discount pharmacies over DTC options. The study emphasizes the ethical responsibility of physicians to inform patients about these cost-effective alternatives, ensuring access to affordable, high-quality treatments.