chill spiderpig. don't get so work up.
i not saying doctor can't be trusted. most doctor can only go as far as text book science. if you want to know any particular drugs in detail, you will be better off doing your own research. in the context of finasteride. yes, i can safety say i have more knowledge in this particular drug then alot of doctor. tried and proven from my experience in visiting doctor. if you have to explain to them why finasteride techincally can't be call a DHT inhibitor or other stuff... well...
unless it is small illness, it is more important we seek 2nd or even 3rd opinion like you said and of course lots of research on our own part. that what we can control and the best thing to do then to listen blindly. i learn this through the hardway.
so you do really trust FDA and drugs companies do you? then what about drugs like Vioxx, thalidomide, Bextra, Zelnorm, Tysabri, Cylert? you need me to name more? and don't get me started on conspiracy theory of FDA and drug companies
if you really trust doctor and such, why don't you trust generic drugs from india? like fincar is make by Cipla and they have score of generic drugs already approved by FDA. so what are your ground? trust or don't?
why do i get generic drug on the internet? because i am poor and need to save every dime, i don't really have a choice. i can't fly to india to get it myself so i have to take calculated risk by doing research to minimise the risk. that the part i can control and will.
overall, we seek options, get to know the risk, benefit etc then we take the best course. although i train by our obedience system, i not.