March 08, 2002

ORLANDO, Fla., Mar 8, 2002 (BW HealthWire) -- Merck & Co. today announced results of a newly completed study on the effects of Propecia on hair mass.

In conjunction with the Live Surgery Workshop on hair loss, chaired and founded by Dr. Matt Leavitt, the new data shows an approximate increase in hair mass of 34 percent after two years and an approximate increase in hair mass of 40 percent after four years. The data further showed a 36 percent mean hair weight difference between men on Propecia and men taking a placebo in a 96-week period.

"The new information coupled with the five-year date released last April show the multiple benefits of finasteride for the 50 million men in the U.S. troubled by hair loss," said Dr. Leavitt. "The five-year data showed an increase of 277 more hairs per square inch of scalp over those not taking finasteride. It's very good news for us in the hair restoration field."

Dr. Leavitt is the founder and medical director of The Leavitt Companies (TLC), with offices in more than 30 cities nationwide, includes Medical Hair Restoration and Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery. The practice has hosted the Live Surgery Workshop in Orlando for eight years. For more information on the event, please visit its web site at http://www.livesurgeryworkshop.org/. Its doctors have addressed a wide variety of patient concerns and bring a broad experience base to each patient they see. TLC's doctors are on the forefront of clinical research, publishing, continuing education programs, state-of-the-art instrumentation and innovative procedures.