Rising Stronger – Celebrating the Galt Journey and Embracing the Future

Rising Stronger – Celebrating the Galt Journey and Embracing the Future

Barry Patel
Barry Patel

CEO and Co-Founder

As 2024 draws to a close, we take a moment to reflect on an extraordinary year that marks a turning point in our journey. After eight years of perseverance, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to helping patients, 2024 has been our best year yet at Galt Companies.

Galt’s story is one of resilience and determination. As a self-funded company, we’ve faced significant challenges, from navigating the complexities of the pharmaceutical industry to weathering the storm of the Covid-19 pandemic. While the early days tested our resolve, they also defined who we are today—a company built on the foundation of grit, adaptability, and a steadfast mission to serve patients with innovative, non-opioid, non-addictive pain management solutions.

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The pandemic was a particularly difficult chapter, as it limited our ability to connect directly with healthcare providers and disrupted many of our traditional avenues for growth. Rather than retreat, we used those challenges to strengthen our core by finding ways to diversify our approaches to the market. We invested in building robust systems, refining our processes, and aligning our operations to support our unique model—one that prioritizes collaboration with entrepreneurs and local, community-based independent pharmacies. We emerged from those challenging times stronger and more prepared for the opportunities ahead.

And what a year 2024 has been! This year, we added Tolectin®DS to our Norgesic® promotions to give healthcare providers ‘muscle or bone’ options in providing effective pain relief without the risks associated with opioids. We also expanded our distribution network, welcoming new franchisees and independent pharmacy partners who share our vision and values. These collaborations bring our medications to more patients and communities across the country. Additionally, we undertook a comprehensive upgrade of our CRM platforms, empowering our sales professionals and franchisees with cutting-edge tools to better serve healthcare providers and ensure that our products reach those who need them most.

While 2024 has been a banner year, we know it’s just the beginning. The foundation we’ve laid over the past eight years positions us for even greater achievements in the years to come. Our journey continues as we are more motivated than ever to innovate, collaborate, and make a meaningful impact in the lives of patients. To our team, our franchisees, our distributors, our independent pharmacy partners, and all our supporters: thank you for believing in our vision and for being part of this incredible journey. As we look ahead to 2025 and beyond, we do so with excitement and confidence that the best is yet to come.

Here’s to rising stronger together!

 

 

 

A Brief History of the Opioid Epidemic

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A Brief History of the Opioid Epidemic: What, When, How, and the Effects Today

Scott Chappell
Scott Chappell

Galt Pharmaceuticals Director of Medical Affairs

The opioid epidemic is a complex public health crisis characterized by the widespread misuse and addiction to opioid drugs, including prescription painkillers, heroin, and synthetic opioids, like fentanyl. The epidemic has had devastating consequences, leading to a surge in overdose deaths and profound social and economic impacts.

opiod epidemic

Background and Early Prescription Trends (1990s)

  • What: The opioid epidemic has its roots in the 1990s when there was a significant increase in the prescription of opioid painkillers, driven by reassurances from pharmaceutical companies about the safety and low risk of addiction associated with these medications.
  • When: The surge in opioid prescriptions began in the late 1990s.
  • How: Pharmaceutical companies, including Purdue Pharma, aggressively marketed opioids like OxyContin to healthcare professionals, downplaying the risks of addiction.
  • Citations:
    • Van Zee A. The promotion and marketing of OxyContin: commercial triumph, public health tragedy. Am J Public Health. 2009;99(2):221-227.
    • Kolodny A, Courtwright DT, Hwang CS, et al. The prescription opioid and heroin crisis: a public health approach to an epidemic of addiction. Annu Rev Public Health. 2015;36:559-574.

       

 Escalation to Heroin (2000s)

  • What: As prescription opioid misuse increased, many individuals turned to heroin as a cheaper and more accessible alternative.
  • When: The transition from prescription opioids to heroin escalated in the mid-2000s.
  • How: Individuals who were addicted to prescription opioids often switched to heroin when their prescriptions ran out or became too expensive.

 Rise of Synthetic Opioids (2010s)

  • What: The opioid crisis worsened with the emergence of powerful synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl.
  • When: The prevalence of fentanyl increased significantly in the 2010s.
  • How: Fentanyl, often illicitly manufactured, began to be mixed with heroin or sold on its own, contributing to a spike in overdose deaths due to its potency.
  • Citations:
    • Rudd RA, Seth P, David F, Scholl L. Increases in drug and opioid-involved overdose deaths – United States, 2010-2015. 
    • MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2016;65(5051):1445-1452.

 Current Effects and Response (2020s)

  • What: The opioid epidemic remains a critical public health challenge, with ongoing efforts to address prevention, treatment, and harm reduction.
  • How: Governments, healthcare providers, and communities are working to expand access to addiction treatment, improve prescribing practices, and enhance education about the risks of opioids.
  • Citations:
    • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
    • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Provisional Drug Overdose Death Counts. National Center for Health Statistics.

Impact on Society

The opioid epidemic has had profound social and economic consequences, including strained healthcare systems, increased rates of infectious diseases (e.g., HIV, hepatitis), and a rise in children placed in foster care due to parental substance abuse.

Legal Actions and Litigation

Various lawsuits have been filed against pharmaceutical companies for their role in the opioid epidemic. Purdue Pharma, in particular, faced legal actions, leading to bankruptcy and settlement agreements.

Continued Challenges

Challenges include addressing the stigma associated with addiction, improving access to evidence-based treatment, and finding comprehensive solutions to the social determinants of substance abuse.

While progress has been made in raising awareness and implementing strategies to combat the opioid epidemic, it remains a complex and ongoing public health crisis with multifaceted challenges.