What's the Significance of the MHRA and FDA When it Comes to Medications?

MHRA - Medicines and Healthcare Product Regulatory Agency, UK

The MHRA is the government medical regulatory body in the UK. When it comes to medical products the MHRA are responsible for granting a license depending on the efficacy of a product i.e. the product's effectiveness to its stated cause and its safety. So if a product for any medical condition receives a license from the MHRA it means that the product has been proven effective and safe following rigorous clinical trials involving a large number of participants.

FDA - Food and Drug Administration, USA

Similarly to the MHRA in the UK, the FDA is the medical regulatory body in the USA and is responsible for the licensing of medications depending on their efficacy following clinical trials. In the USA a licensed medicine is referred to as 'FDA Approved' which put simply, means it has shown sufficient evidence that it works whilst ensuring safety.

When it comes to hair loss there are only two medications that have been licensed by the MHRA and approved by the FDA, these are Propecia (finasteride 1mg, men only) and Minoxidil (men and women). Most of Belgravia's treatment courses for hair loss are based primarily around one or more of these medications, as well as additional hair growth supporting products which are included in most treatment programmes for best results. Additionally, the HairMax LaserComb is the only device that has been 'FDA cleared' for hair loss.

There are many other supplemental products available that are marketed for hair loss but other than minoxidil and finasteride 1mg there is no product that shows any significant evidence of hair loss prevention or hair regrowth.