What is Proscar?
Proscar is a prescription medication whose active ingredient is finasteride, a 5α-reductase inhibitor. It works by decreasing levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that causes prostate enlargement. Proscar 5 mg tablets are FDA-approved to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with an enlarged prostate. (Finasteride 1 mg is also sold as Propecia for male pattern hair loss.) Common side effects of finasteride products include sexual dysfunction, dizziness and breast tenderness, while more serious psychiatric or sexual side effects have been reported and warrant medical supervision.
Finasteride (Active Ingredient). Finasteride itself is a medication used for two main indications: BPH and male hair loss. It is the sole active ingredient in both Proscar (5 mg) and Propecia (1 mg). According to authoritative sources, "finasteride is used to treat men who have symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and male pattern hair loss, also called androgenetic alopecia". In practice, Proscar (5 mg finasteride) is taken once daily for BPH, and may shrink the prostate and improve urinary symptoms over several months. Finasteride for hair loss increases scalp hair count but will not increase body hair. Both uses rely on blocking the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT.
Proscar in Hong Kong (Regulations and Prescription)
In Hong Kong, all finasteride products are prescription-only. Health authorities note that every registered finasteride medication (31 products as of 2024) requires a doctor’s prescription. In other words, Proscar can only be sold at licensed pharmacies with a valid prescription. If you have a doctor’s prescription, you can buy Proscar from community pharmacies, private clinics or hospital pharmacies across Hong Kong. The Department of Health maintains a list of authorized poison sellers (licensed pharmacies) where prescription drugs can be legally dispensed.
Note: It is illegal to possess or import prescription drugs like Proscar without authorization. Always use a legitimate healthcare provider for diagnosis and prescription.
Buying Proscar Online
Hong Kong has several licensed online pharmacy options, but a prescription is always required when ordering Proscar. Even reputable Internet pharmacies (local or international) will ask you to submit a valid Hong Kong doctor’s prescription before they dispense finasteride. In practice, many residents use the online platforms of major pharmacy chains or local services: for example, Watsons and Mannings have web or app ordering for prescription refills, and community pharmacies (e.g. Lok Sin Tong) may offer WhatsApp/online ordering with prescription verification.
Always use pharmacies that are licensed in HK. The Hong Kong DOH advises buying medications "only from authorized sellers". Check for official pharmacy registration or be in a trusted chain (Watsons, Mannings, etc.).
Upload or fax a prescription from your Hong Kong doctor. Without it, online sellers must refuse a Schedule 1 drug like Proscar.
Reputable online pharmacies typically offer pharmacist consultations via chat or phone. This ensures correct usage and screens for drug interactions.
Avoid websites promising "no prescription needed" or extremely low prices, as they may sell counterfeit or illegal drugs. Stick to known providers and verify their license (e.g. via the Pharmacy & Poisons Board’s authorized seller list).
Prices and Saving Money
Medication prices in Hong Kong can vary. For example, a community pharmacy lists Proscar 5 mg at about HK$3 per tablet (HK$90 for 30 tablets). (Note: this pricing listed the "brand product Proscar" at HK$3/tab, with the 30-count box at HK$90.) Generic versions of finasteride (same 5 mg) are available and often cost the same or slightly less in local pharmacies.
If you want to buy cheap Proscar:
- Use Generics Proscar. Generic finasteride tablets (same 5 mg dose) are therapeutically identical and usually cheaper. Ask the pharmacist for "generic finasteride" if cost is a concern.
- Purchasing a larger supply (e.g. 3- or 6-month) can sometimes reduce per-pill cost. Some pharmacies offer slight discounts on multi-box buys.
- Look for non-profit or community pharmacies (e.g. Lok Sin Tong community pharmacies) that sometimes offer medications at reduced prices or under schemes.
- Some platforms or pharmacies may have reward programs or coupons. For instance, international services like GoodRx (not in HK) highlight that generic finasteride can be much cheaper than brand. Check if any local health apps or credit cards provide drug discounts.
One Hong Kong pharmacy’s price list shows generic finasteride 5 mg (generic for Proscar) at HK$90 per 30-tablet box, the same as brand. The key is to compare outlets (clinic vs pharmacy vs online) and ask about generics.
Safe Delivery of Proscar
Please read this, when ordering Proscar:
- Choose a pharmacy that ships through reputable couriers. HK’s licensed online pharmacies often use trusted services (e.g. SF Express, FedEx) that specialize in healthcare logistics.
- Ask about packaging. Some couriers offer temperature-controlled packaging and real-time tracking for medical products. Proscar itself does not require refrigeration, but proper packaging ensures the pills are not exposed to extreme heat or moisture.
- Verify that the shipment arrives in original, unopened packaging. If the tablet blister is broken or tampered with, do not use it.
- Opt for signature-on-delivery and keep records of tracking. This helps resolve any disputes.
- If shipping from overseas, be aware Hong Kong has strict import rules. Ensure the pharmacy states compliance with HK regulations (it must be imported by a licensed pharmacist).
- Both brand and generic finasteride 5 mg are equally effective for BPH, and both carry the same risk of side effects. Finasteride’s outcomes (reduced prostate size, improved symptoms) are the same whether you take Proscar or a generic.
- Proscar tablets are 5 mg, as are most generics for BPH. (Hair-loss formulations use 1 mg, branded as Propecia.) There is no clinical benefit to taking Proscar over generic finasteride with the same dose.
- Generics are much cheaper. Since active ingredients are the same, generic versions are sold at lower prices. In many markets, including Hong Kong, patients often choose generics for affordability. For example, an online pharmacy notes generics at a fraction of branded costs.
- Both forms are prescription drugs and regulated identically. You need a doctor’s prescription for either Proscar or generic finasteride.
- There is no medical advantage to branded Proscar over generic finasteride. The key difference is price. Generic 5 mg finasteride offers the same benefits and safety as Proscar, often at a much lower cost.
Buying in Hong Kong’s Major Areas
Hong Kong isn’t a single city but a region of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories – and pharmacies are plentiful in all areas. Residents in any district can purchase Proscar with a prescription:
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Hong Kong Island: Areas like Central, Causeway Bay and Sheung Wan have many chain and independent pharmacies. For example, major chains Watsons and Mannings operate island-wide. They have online ordering and delivery options covering all Hong Kong Island. Local private clinics and public hospitals (e.g. Hong Kong West Cluster) also dispense medications upon consultation.
Kowloon: Districts such as Kowloon City, Yau Ma Tei, and Mong Kok have dense pharmacy coverage. Notably, community pharmacies like those run by Lok Sin Tong serve Kowloon City and nearby Prince Edward. These pharmacies (in Kowloon City, Tai Po in the New Territories, etc.) aim to provide affordable drugs. Again, Watsons and Mannings are ubiquitous in urban Kowloon, offering online and in-store pickup.
New Territories: Places like Sha Tin, Tai Po, Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun also have numerous pharmacies. Lok Sin Tong has branches in Tai Po (NT). Public outpatient clinics in NT will dispense prescribed Proscar, and chain stores operate in town centers. Online services extend here too; many pharmacies deliver anywhere in Hong Kong.
Key point: In any neighborhood (on Hong Kong Island), Kowloon or the NT – you can get Proscar the same way: via a prescription at a licensed pharmacy. Many people choose the convenience of ordering online from these familiar chains or local pharmacies, with home delivery across all regions.
Proscar versus Generic Finasteride
Proscar is just the brand name for finasteride 5 mg, while "generic finasteride" refers to the identical active drug sold under various names (e.g. Fincar, Maxteride). Both Proscar and any quality generic contain finasteride as the active ingredient. Studies show there is no difference in the active ingredient or effectiveness between branded and generic finasteride. Any differences lie only in inert fillers or tablet coloring – which have no therapeutic effect.
In practice:
| 5 mg 360 pills | HK$ 5.14 |
| 5 mg 180 pills | HK$ 5.76 |
| 5 mg 120 pills | HK$ 6.38 |
| 5 mg 90 pills | HK$ 7.08 |
| 5 mg 60 pills | HK$ 7.94 |
| 5 mg 30 pills | HK$ 8.80 |
| 5 mg 10 pills | HK$ 11.21 |