Dear Editor:
We are writing to increase awareness around gender bias in the labeling and pricing of topical minoxidil. Topical minoxidil is approved by the United States (US) Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia and used off label for various hair disorders.
5% minoxidil for men typically states, “not for use by women” or, “for use by men only” despite the fact that studies have shown 5% minoxidil is safe and effective for women and 5% topical minoxidil is commonly recommended to female patients by dermatologists.1,2 Hence, such warnings are misleading and unnecessarily alarming.
Adding insult to injury is the documented price discrepancy between 5% minoxidil products for men versus those for women. A study demonstrated that 5% minoxidil foam marketed to women was priced 40-percent higher per 30mL than the equivalent men’s product, despite identical active and inactive ingredients.3 Furthermore, a recent search from September 2024 on the Rogaine® website revealed that the price for three 30mL bottles of 5% minoxidil foam marketed to women was 28.3-percent higher than the equivalent product labeled for use by men only.
The labeling and pricing practices surrounding topical minoxidil reflect broader issues of gender bias in the marketing of health products. To address this gender prejudice, we call to remove misleading gender-specific labels and advocate for fair pricing agnostic to gender. Furthermore, we urge the dermatology community to advocate for equitable care and evidence-based marketing of dermatologic treatments.
With regard,
REFERENCES
- Lucky AW, Piacquadio DJ, Ditre CM et al. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 5% and 2% topical minoxidil solutions in the treatment of female pattern hair loss. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2004;50(4):541–553. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2003.06.014. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Gupta AK, Foley KA. 5% minoxidil: treatment for female pattern hair loss. Skin Therapy Lett. 2014;19(6):5–7. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Wehner MR, Nead KT, Lipoff JB. Association between gender and drug cost for over-the-counter minoxidil. JAMA Dermatol. 2017;153(8):825–826. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2017.1394. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]