US approves first pill for treatment of alopecia

Alopecia has come to the fore recently through high-profile cases including Pinkett Smith. – AFP

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on June 13 (2022) approved a drug called baricitinib as the first oral tablet for treating severe alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder affecting more than 300,000 people in the United States every year.

Alopecia causes either temporary or permanent patchy hair loss that can affect any hair-bearing site of the body, leading to emotional distress.