Anti-baldness cure on sale

The first anti-baldness pill clinically proven to stop hair loss and restart growth goes on sale today in Britain.

Propecia, taken once a day, prevented further hair loss in five out of six men, while two-thirds started growing hair over bald spots.

The drug will cost around £30 for a month's supply but will not be available on the NHS. The drug blocks the action of an enzyme which has been found responsible for hair loss by acting on the male hormone testosterone.

Propecia has been available in America since 1998 and is taken by 800,000 men in 38 countries,. A tiny minority, 1.8 per cent, have suffered decreased libido as a side-effect.