Question 1

What is orva and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

orva is a Swiss telemedicine platform for physician-guided treatment pathways in hereditary hair loss. You start with a medical questionnaire. Licensed Swiss doctors review your answers, and if it is medically suitable, a Swiss partner pharmacy compounds your personal formula and delivers it to your door on a subscription, regularly and discreetly.

Question 2

How does the online physician review work?

Accepted Answer

You start with the medical questionnaire. Licensed Swiss doctors usually review your answers within 1 to 2 business days once your documents are complete. If a treatment is medically suitable, a prescription can be issued. The partner pharmacy then handles compounding and delivery.

Question 3

Do I need a prescription for the treatment?

Accepted Answer

Prescription-only ingredients such as finasteride or dutasteride require a doctor's prescription. orva connects you with licensed Swiss doctors who review your answers online and issue a prescription if it is medically suitable. Certain topical minoxidil products are available from Swiss pharmacies without a prescription.

Question 4

Who issues the prescription?

Accepted Answer

Your prescription is issued by a doctor licensed in Switzerland. They review your questionnaire answers and decide whether, and which, treatment is medically suitable for you. orva itself gives no medical recommendations; that decision always stays with the doctor.

Question 5

What happens if no treatment is suitable for me?

Accepted Answer

If a treatment is not medically suitable, none is prescribed. Your doctor explains why and, where possible, points you to sensible next steps.

Question 6

Who is the treatment suitable for?

Accepted Answer

The treatments are intended for adults with hereditary hair loss, known as androgenetic alopecia. Whether a treatment suits you is assessed by a licensed Swiss doctor based on your answers. Not everyone is suitable for every treatment.

Question 7

Which active ingredients are available?

Accepted Answer

For androgenetic alopecia, active ingredients such as minoxidil, finasteride and dutasteride may be considered. Which one fits you is decided by your doctor. Prescribed formulas are compounded individually for you by Swiss pharmacies.

Question 8

What is a compounded formula and what are its benefits?

Accepted Answer

A compounded formula (Magistralrezeptur) is a treatment that Swiss pharmacies make individually for you, rather than a standard off-the-shelf product. Several active ingredients can be combined into a single application, and the formula can be made without excipients such as propylene glycol, which triggers scalp irritation in some people. What goes into your formula is decided by your doctor.

Question 9

What is the difference between oral and topical treatments?

Accepted Answer

Oral treatments are taken as a tablet, while topical ones are applied directly to the scalp. Both forms are used for hair loss and differ in how you use them and how they are tolerated. Which form suits you is assessed by your doctor.

Question 10

Are the active ingredients scientifically studied?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Minoxidil, finasteride and dutasteride have been studied in clinical trials. The evidence differs by ingredient and use. Individual results can vary, and which treatment is suitable is decided by your doctor.

Question 11

When are first results possible?

Accepted Answer

Hair growth takes time. In clinical studies, first changes appeared after about 3 to 6 months of regular use. Individual results can vary. Your doctor supports you along the way and adjusts the treatment if needed.

Question 12

Does orva support me during the treatment?

Accepted Answer

Yes. With a subscription, your doctor accompanies you. After 3, 6 and 12 months and yearly thereafter, a progress review based on your photos follows. If your progress is not on track, your doctor can adjust your treatment. You can follow your photos over time under My Journey in your orva portal.

Question 13

Can I ask my physician a question during treatment?

Accepted Answer

Yes, once your treatment is running and a physician is assigned to you. In the portal you put your question to the physician who leads your treatment. With a running subscription that is included. If you hold a prescription without a subscription, a question to the physician costs CHF 39. For anything that is not medical, such as your account, invoice or delivery, the care team is there in the support chat.

Question 14

How much does treatment cost?

Accepted Answer

The medical initial assessment costs a one-time CHF 99. It covers the review of your information by a Swiss doctor, including a prescription if a treatment is medically appropriate. If you then choose a subscription, the initial assessment is credited toward it depending on the term you choose. We show the subscription cost and the exact credit transparently before you check out.

Question 15

Does health insurance cover the costs?

Accepted Answer

No. Treatments for hereditary hair loss are not covered by Swiss health insurance. They count as a self-pay service, so you cover the cost of the medical initial assessment and the treatment yourself.

Question 16

Can I cancel my subscription at any time?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can cancel your subscription at any time in your account. It stays active until the end of the term you have already paid for, after which nothing more is charged. A single medical initial assessment is not a subscription and does not renew automatically.

Question 17

How is the treatment delivered?

Accepted Answer

A Swiss partner pharmacy compounds your personalized formula individually and delivers it discreetly to your home. The first delivery usually arrives within 7 to 14 days. You don't need to visit a pharmacy, and you manage delivery in your orva portal.

Question 18

How often is it delivered?

Accepted Answer

While your subscription is active, the partner pharmacy delivers your treatment every 3 months. Each shipment contains your supply for the next three months so you can use it without interruption. You can see your expected delivery date in your orva portal.

Question 19

Is shipping discreet?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Shipping is in neutral packaging that gives no indication of the contents.

Question 20

Can I get just a prescription from you?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can also choose the prescription only, without a subscription. In that case our doctors prescribe a ready-made medicine, that is a finished, licensed product. You receive your original prescription by post, usually within 7 business days, and redeem it at the pharmacy of your choice.

Question 21

How careful is the online treatment process?

Accepted Answer

All assessments are carried out by doctors licensed in Switzerland, and the medicines come from pharmacies that hold a cantonal authorization. The same medical duty of care applies as for in-person treatment. Because no physical examination is possible, the doctors take particular care and only prescribe when your health situation is sufficiently known.

Question 22

How is my data protected?

Accepted Answer

Your health data is handled in line with Swiss data protection law and used only for your medical assessment and treatment. Medical information is specially protected and is not publicly accessible.

Question 23

Is online hair loss treatment allowed in Switzerland?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Prescription-only medicines may only be prescribed by doctors licensed in Switzerland, and only once your health situation is known. That is exactly what the detailed medical questionnaire is for. Under the Therapeutic Products Act, home delivery is permitted with a valid prescription and through a pharmacy that holds a cantonal authorization. orva meets both conditions.

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