WHO ARE WE?
OUR MISSION
SGH Ltd is a UK based manufacturer and product designer. We make premium products for a wide range of clients in medical, industrial and consumer markets.
We acquired Pilgo in 2025 because we believed it was a great product, addressing a real problem faced by people we cared about. It was a solution that wasn’t getting the focus and attention it deserved.
We make Pilgo at our facilities in Bolton, Greater Manchester and aim to make it the number one choice for all ages to not just deal with pill swallowing issues; but in many cases provide a long term training solution.
Our goal is to ensure you won’t need Pilgo forever.
More information on dysphagia
What research says about swallowing difficulty / dysphagia prevalence
One large population-based study found that 1 in 6 adults report difficulty swallowing (i.e. ~ ≈ 16–17%) in general. (PMC). Some sources put the prevalence of swallowing difficulties (particularly with solid-dose medication or tablets) in the range of 10%–34% of adults in surveyed populations. (MDPI)
Among hospital in‑patients (who tend to be older or have more comorbidities), prevalence rises: a 2024 survey indicated ~15.4% of adult in‑patients report swallowing difficulties. (MDPI)
For older populations generally, especially those with age‑related or neurological conditions, dysphagia is more common: some sources cite 10–33% prevalence in older adults. (Mayo Clinic Proceedings)
A recent systematic review & meta‑analysis of oropharyngeal dysphagia globally estimated a very wide overall prevalence — around 43.8% (95% CI: 33.3–54.9%) — though this includes clinical populations, elderly, and others; not all represent everyday pill‑taking difficulty. (SpringerLink)
Why the numbers are fuzzy (and what they don’t cover)
Many studies of dysphagia focus on food/liquid swallowing difficulties, or clinical swallowing disorders — not specifically “difficulty swallowing pills.” So estimates combine very different issues.
Age, health status, neurological or structural issues (stroke, dementia, neurological disease, head/neck surgery) heavily influence swallowing‑problem prevalence. (SpringerLink)
Some studies rely on self‑report (subjective difficulty), others on clinical diagnosis — making direct comparison difficult.
“Swallowing difficulty” includes a wide spectrum: from occasional discomfort to serious dysphagia requiring modified diets or feeding support. Only a subset will have difficulty specifically with hard tablets.