Alarm Raised Over Unregulated Prescription of Hair Treatments—Are You at Risk? The Maltese Association of Dermatology and Venereology (MADV) issued a stern warning this Friday about a troubling rise in hair treatment medications being prescribed by individuals who are not medically qualified. But here’s where it gets controversial: many people are unaware that this practice carries potentially severe health risks if these powerful drugs are misused.
In their official statement, MADV condemned what they describe as a "deplorable practice" that threatens patient safety. They emphasized that medications for hair and scalp conditions should never be dispensed without proper medical oversight, as these drugs can have serious side effects and must be prescribed solely by licensed doctors.
MADV has observed an increasing pattern where trichologists—specialists in hair and scalp care who are not registered medical doctors—are issuing prescriptions for these treatments. Shockingly, some community pharmacies have been handing out these drugs quite freely based on these prescriptions.
To clarify, medications such as strong topical steroids, antibiotics, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (which affect hormone levels related to hair loss), and newer medications like JAK inhibitors are categorized as prescription-only for good reason. According to MADV president Lawrence Scerri, when used incorrectly or without proper diagnosis, these drugs can lead to "potentially serious consequences," including permanent damage to the scalp and worsening hair loss. This highlights why only qualified physicians should manage their use.
What many people don’t realize is that pharmacists must not dispense these medications without a valid prescription from a registered medical doctor. Furthermore, the prescription needs to include the doctor’s medical registration number to be considered legitimate. This rule is an essential safeguard designed to protect patients from harmful self-treatment or unqualified advice.
It’s important to understand that being a trichologist does not automatically make someone a medical doctor. Unless they hold a recognized medical degree and are officially registered with the Maltese Medical Council, trichologists are not authorized to prescribe these potent medicines.
And this is the part most people miss—the boundary between specialized hair care advice and actual medical treatment is legally and professionally significant. Does expanding access to such medications through non-medical practitioners put patients at greater risk? Or could stricter controls inadvertently restrict helpful care? We invite you to share your thoughts and experiences. Should the laws remain strict, or is there room to rethink who can safely prescribe these medications? The conversation is open—let us know what you think in the comments below.
