Founder's Note

At HarborPath, every initiative begins with one simple but powerful question: “How can we serve unmet needs?”

That guiding principle has shaped our mission from the very beginning. It has driven our efforts to make naloxone available when and where it’s needed most. It has informed our work to connect uninsured patients with cancer treatments and other life-saving medications they otherwise could not afford. And it continues to push us to look closely at where gaps remain in our healthcare system. Unmet needs aren't met until someone steps forward to meet them.

This month, I want to shine a light on one of those gaps: access to affordable epilepsy medication.

Epilepsy affects millions of Americans. For many patients, consistent access to medication is the only way to control seizures and live safely. Yet the cost of these drugs can be overwhelming to some. For uninsured patients and those facing financial hardship, the choice between affording medication and covering other necessities is far too common. Missed doses can lead to increased seizure activity, hospitalization and SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy).

At HarborPath, we believe no one should face those choices. Everyone deserves access to the medicines that allow them to live healthy, stable lives. That’s why we are developing opportunities to raise awareness of this urgent need and exploring new ways to close the gap for people living with epilepsy.

Our work is only possible because of the support and partnership of people like you. Together, we can continue to remove barriers, expand access and make sure that life-saving treatments and medicines are within reach for those who need them most.

-Ken Trogdon, President of HarborPath

It’s back-to-school time for many families across the country. I was reading a recent reflection from my friend David Magee that really stuck with me, a reminder that who our kids are and how they are doing matters far more than what they achieve.

David’s message—rooted in his own family’s journey—encourages us to focus less on grades, trophies and temporary accomplishments, and more on connection, presence and support. It’s a wise perspective for parents in all stages of raising children.

Supporting our kids also means prioritizing their safety and mental well-being. As we prepare for the new school year, don’t forget to prepare for important conversations at home. That includes open, honest discussions with middle school, high school and college-aged kids about the risks of counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl. It’s also a good time to consider keeping naloxone at home or in your child’s backpack.

HarborPath has been fortunate to partner directly with school districts and colleges to provide naloxone for their campuses in partnership with our exclusive distributor, FFF Enterprises.

Here’s to a safe and meaningful school year!

Doctor recommends parents speak to their children about the dangers of drug use as college resumes

As college students head back to campus, many doctors and universities are taking proactive steps to address the risk of drug overdoses. Nearly 24 percent of college students report using illicit drugs, and many campuses are stocking naloxone in dorms and buildings as a life-saving measure. In a KSLA story, Dr. Chris Wolcott of LSU Health Shreveport emphasized that quick access to Narcan can mean the difference between life and death, since overdoses often progress before emergency responders can arrive. He encourages parents to speak openly with their children about drug use and supports students carrying Narcan for emergencies, noting the medication is harmless if given unnecessarily. Read the full story.

Ken’s Take

At HarborPath, we know that conversations like these are not always easy, but they are essential. As parents prepare their students for the semester, we encourage them to also prepare for the realities their children may face. Naloxone saves lives, and making it widely available on campuses is a step in the right direction. Our mission has always been to close gaps in access to life-saving medications, and we will continue working to ensure that tools like naloxone are within an arm's reach when needed.

News You Need to Know About the Fentanyl Crisis

• FOX ORLANDO: Florida deputies seize enough fentanyl to kill over 389,000 people, officials say
• FOX BALTIMORE: Baltimore County libraries now offering free naloxone at all locations
• KMBC: Missouri sheriff's office warns of Narcan-resistant ‘purple fentanyl’ drug threat
• KSAT: Free Narcan dispenser in San Antonio installed by moms who lost kids to fentanyl poisoning

Help us make a difference by providing lifesaving drugs to those in need.

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