May be you can try the following on Ebay:
http://www.ebay.at/itm/2-BOTTLES-OF-REG ... 45fda8ce3a
http://www.ebay.at/itm/Regaine-Rogaine- ... 45fda300ca
or
http://biovea.co.uk/product_detail.aspx ... 153&OS=204
We are on the same boat. I have taken finasteride for over 3 years before I dropped it cold turkey. It did not help me at all while I was on it, it just gave me sides. I did not suffer any more loss after I dropped it. I am still using minoxidil after more than 10 years of using it. It still works for me. I...
I have switched from 5% minoxidil to 10% minoxidil with AA since 16/6 this year, and I have already seen some improvement already. So for me 10% minoxidil is more effective than 5%.
I would suggest your friend to get it locally, or at least getting it from one of the EU country, may be on Ebay.fr or Ebay.co.uk, because most of the customs from the EU countries make problem if one buys goods out of the EU. Some countries can not within the EU can not even sell minoxidil on Ebay...
I do not think it is the right moment now, I would try to use Rogaine for 4-6 months time to see if it works for you, also if you are satisfied with the result before considering hair transplant, if I were you.
May be you can try to use minoxidil twice a day for some time, ie in the morning and in the evening, and see if you can better result. Rogaine suggests people to use it twice a day.