Just today, I went to purchase my next 4 month supply of Propecia, or so I thought. I purchase my Propecia from Dr. Pistone, located in southern New Jersey. When I first purchased it from his office, I received for $165 a ProPak, which is 90 tablets, plus 30 free, 120 total. The next batch I purchased was the same total tablets, 120, but the cost had risen to $185. Today, the cost was $190, and all that got me was the ProPak only, no more 30 free. So now 90 tablets of Propecia cost $190.
It was explained to me that Merck continues to rasie the price, and they are no longer providing samples to Dr. Pistone, thus the reason for not including the free 30. Heck, when I first bought Propecia from Pistone, I thought I was getting a tremendous bargain, 120 tabs for $165. Now, 90 tabs for $190. Ouch! Maybe I should ditch the brand name and go generic? Hello Cipla? Hello Finpecia?
As an aside, while waiting at the counter, I saw someone exit one of the offices. This gentleman must have had a recent hair transplant and was in for a check-up. I'd describe him as a Norwood 5 before transplant, and it looked like the transplanted hair had gone into his crown and a little in the front. In other words, if/when he gets full growth, he'll still be about a Norwood 3 or so. Sorry to say, but it looked a little "pluggy" to me. I could tell immediately that he'd had a procedure. There was no redness or pinkness to his scalp, and there was very thin, fine hair growth in the transplanted areas. I don't know when he had his procedure, but they told him they'd see him in six months.
Seeing this gent made me think of two things. First, even though I've gone from a NW1 to NW2 over the past couple of years, I have nothing to be sour about. In fact, I should be thankful that I can take Propecia and give myself a decent chance of keeping what I have. Second, hair transplants are not "simple operations". They involve a change in appearance, sometimes, I fear, not for the better. So pick your hair transplant surgeons with much research and care.
It was explained to me that Merck continues to rasie the price, and they are no longer providing samples to Dr. Pistone, thus the reason for not including the free 30. Heck, when I first bought Propecia from Pistone, I thought I was getting a tremendous bargain, 120 tabs for $165. Now, 90 tabs for $190. Ouch! Maybe I should ditch the brand name and go generic? Hello Cipla? Hello Finpecia?
As an aside, while waiting at the counter, I saw someone exit one of the offices. This gentleman must have had a recent hair transplant and was in for a check-up. I'd describe him as a Norwood 5 before transplant, and it looked like the transplanted hair had gone into his crown and a little in the front. In other words, if/when he gets full growth, he'll still be about a Norwood 3 or so. Sorry to say, but it looked a little "pluggy" to me. I could tell immediately that he'd had a procedure. There was no redness or pinkness to his scalp, and there was very thin, fine hair growth in the transplanted areas. I don't know when he had his procedure, but they told him they'd see him in six months.
Seeing this gent made me think of two things. First, even though I've gone from a NW1 to NW2 over the past couple of years, I have nothing to be sour about. In fact, I should be thankful that I can take Propecia and give myself a decent chance of keeping what I have. Second, hair transplants are not "simple operations". They involve a change in appearance, sometimes, I fear, not for the better. So pick your hair transplant surgeons with much research and care.
