Online Prescribing of Finasteride Raises Concerns Among Health Experts
They say until the alert cards are "rolled out" and put in packs, users can read the long patient information leaflet already included with the medicine to learn about side effects.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society says online prescribing can be very useful for a lot of patients, particularly if they are too embarrassed to visit a doctor. But the checks must be robust.
James Davies, RPS director for England told BBC News: "It's really important that regardless of whether it's online or face to face, these thorough checks are taking place.
"That means that a full medical history is taken, there's an opportunity to understand the medication that may be prescribed, the side effects, the risks and the benefits."
He said sharing photos of the hair loss with the prescriber and having a video call to discuss all of the issues could be useful.
The British Association of Hair Restoration Surgery (BAHRS) believes patients shouldn't get the drug just by filling out an online form.
Greg Williams, hair transplant surgeon and vice president of BAHRS, says although finasteride is a good treatment for many, the small chance of serious side effects must be explained and closely monitored.
"There will be some patients who have risk factors that might make finasteride a risky prescription. I'm not saying it can't be prescribed, but patients need to be appropriately counselled."
Europe's drug regulator is doing its own safety review of finasteride which could include a ban.
