In recent years, Théa Pharma has emerged as a leading force in Irish eye health, building trust with pharmacists, ophthalmologists, optometrists, and patients alike. At the heart of this success has been a clear strategy: combine clinically proven, preservative-free solutions with education, transparency, and genuine partnership with community pharmacy.
As Diarmuid Gavin, Country Manager for Théa Pharma Ireland, reflects on the company’s milestones and shares his vision for the future, one message is consistent: Théa Pharma is here to empower pharmacists, strengthen their businesses, and improve outcomes for patients. With 2025 shaping up to be a defining year for both Ireland and the global organisation, this is the story of how Théa has built a leadership position and where it is heading next.
Building trust through milestones
For Gavin, Théa Pharma’s greatest milestone in Ireland has been earning the trust of pharmacists. “That didn’t happen overnight,” he notes. “It came from building real partnerships and consistently delivering clinically proven solutions that pharmacists and their patients can rely on.”
From the beginning, the company has focused on making sure its portfolio meets the needs of both healthcare professionals and the people they serve. Thealoz Duo drops for dry eye and Blephaclean wipes for eyelid hygiene are two examples of products that pharmacists can recommend with confidence, knowing they are preservative-free, clinically tested, and patient friendly. These solutions have strengthened patient loyalty to pharmacies, as individuals return for treatments that truly work.
Another important milestone has been Théa’s commitment to education and training.
Recognising that eye conditions such as dry eye or blepharitis can often be misunderstood or underestimated by patients, the company has invested heavily in pharmacist education. Initiatives include a pioneering interactive training module, a series of webinars, and dissemination of clinical data in accessible formats.
“The feedback we’ve had is that this support doesn’t just improve patient outcomes,” Gavin explains. “It also enhances the pharmacist’s role as a trusted expert in eye health. Patients leave with better understanding, and pharmacists feel more confident in the advice they’re giving.”
Profitability has also been central to Théa’s approach. Pharmacies are healthcare providers but also businesses that need sustainable margins. To address this, the company introduced a margin calculator — a transparent tool that helps pharmacies see exactly how Théa products contribute to their bottom line. This initiative, alongside clear category management, means that recommending Théa is not only clinically responsible but also commercially beneficial.
Summarising these achievements, Gavin says:
“We’ve become a partner that empowers pharmacists with three things: clinically proven solutions, continuous education, and sustainable profitability. That combination is what makes us unique, and why Théa Pharma today is Ireland’s number one choice for eye health.”
Adapting to shifting market and patient needs
The Irish healthcare landscape has changed significantly in recent years. Patients today are more informed and engaged than ever before. They enter pharmacies asking about preservatives, ingredients, and long-term safety. At the same time, pharmacists are busier, juggling increasing responsibilities as the first port of call for many health concerns, including eye health.
According to Gavin, Théa Pharma’s response to these shifts has always started with one principle: listen first. “Pharmacists are on the front line every day, and they know what patients are asking. By listening carefully, we can adapt quickly to meet both patient expectations and professional needs.”
This listening-led strategy has translated into several key initiatives:
• Product positioning that combines clinical robustness with practical benefits. For example, patients with dry, tired eyes need solutions that work across the full spectrum of dry eye symptoms, while pharmacists need evidence they can trust. Thealoz Duo provides both, bridging the gap between patient expectations and professional reassurance.
• Educational investment to support pharmacists as patient expectations grow. With conditions like dry eye and blepharitis increasingly managed at the pharmacy counter rather than in specialist clinics, pharmacists now carry a greater educational burden. Théa has responded by investing in webinars, interactive modules, and accessible data to equip pharmacists for these conversations.
• Brand Architecture and merchandising support to improve visibility and accessibility of the eye care category. By providing planograms and professional shelf layouts, Théa ensures that patients can easily navigate the eye care section, while pharmacists see improved category performance.
“For me, 2025 is defining because it brings everything together: global innovation, Irish community pharmacy, and a growing patient need.”
“We don’t just innovate, we prove. Every product in our portfolio carries clinical data, every one is preservative-free.”
As Gavin explains, “Rather than one single strategy, it’s really been about evolving together — listening to pharmacists, understanding patients, and adapting in ways that make everyone’s job a little easier and a lot more rewarding.”
2025: A defining year
Looking ahead, Gavin sees 2025 as a year when Théa’s global leadership and Irish presence fully align. Internationally, Théa remains the number one ophthalmology group in Europe and a pioneer in preservative-free solutions. But in Ireland, the local story is equally compelling, shaped by growing patient demand and an enhanced pharmacy role.
“Patients here are more informed than ever, and conditions like dry eye, glaucoma, and blepharitis are now recognised as common, everyday concerns,” Gavin says.
“In fact, studies show that one in two people will experience dry eye symptoms at some point. That means pharmacists are increasingly the first person patients turn to for relief.”
This creates a unique opportunity for Théa’s clinically proven portfolio. Thealoz Duo is supported by numerous studies confirming its effectiveness across all dry eye symptoms, giving pharmacists the confidence that they are recommending a safe, preservative-free, and clinically robust product. Similarly, Blephaclean has established itself as Ireland’s number one daily eyelid cleanser, addressing a condition that often frustrates patients and leads to repeated pharmacy visits.
Beyond products, 2025 also marks an expansion of Théa’s Brand Architecture strategy, which will further enhance pharmacy eye care sections through planograms, merchandising, and transparency on margins. For patients, this means clarity when browsing shelves; for pharmacists, it means stronger category performance.
“For me, 2025 is defining because it brings everything together,” Gavin reflects. “Global innovation, Irish community pharmacy, and a growing patient need. It’s about empowering pharmacists with clinically proven solutions, education, and business support so that when one in two people walk into their local pharmacy with eye health concerns, Théa is right there as the partner that makes the difference.”
Drivers of sustained leadership
Sustaining a leadership position across Europe and in Ireland requires more than good products — it requires a consistent set of values and actions. Gavin identifies five key drivers behind Théa’s success:
1. Innovation rooted in patient need. From its decision in 1994 to go 100% preservative-free — a bold and risky move at the time — Théa has consistently set new standards. Today, products like Thealoz Duo, Blephaclean, and Nutrof Total embody this philosophy, offering unique solutions to real patient needs.
2. Evidence and education. Trust is built on proof. By bringing pharmacists robust clinical data and innovative training resources, Théa ensures that recommendations are made with confidence, reinforcing the pharmacist’s role as an expert in eye health.
3. Partnership with pharmacies. Recognising the central role of community pharmacies in Ireland, Théa has embedded itself as a genuine partner, offering not just products but also merchandising tools, profitability calculators, and hands-on support.
4. The Irish team. Gavin emphasises the role of the dedicated Théa Pharma Ireland team, describing them as small but passionate. “We’re on the ground, visiting stores, listening to concerns, and making sure eye care doesn’t get overlooked. Pharmacists know us by name — and that matters.”
5. Consistency. Patients and professionals know what to expect from Théa: preservativefree innovation, clinical excellence, and unwavering partnership. This consistency has built loyalty, which in turn sustains leadership.
Differentiation in a competitive market
The eye care market has become increasingly competitive, with new entrants and innovative solutions emerging regularly. Yet Théa continues to stand apart by combining clinical evidence, preservative-free safety, and a comprehensive product portfolio.
• Thealoz Duo: Europe’s leading dry eye drop, clinically proven to treat all dry eye symptoms while protecting against oxidative stress.
• Blephaclean: Ireland’s number one eyelid cleanser, clinically shown to improve eyelid health, reduce inflammation, and relieve symptoms.
• Nutrof Total: Europe’s leading eye care supplement, uniquely formulated with 11 nutrients targeted to support retinal health and combat oxidative stress.
• Blephaderm: The latest addition, a preservative-free 5-in-1 cream for eyelids and periocular skin, clinically proven to soothe, repair, and hydrate even sensitive or atopy-prone skin.
“Our differentiation is clear,” Gavin states. “We don’t just innovate, we prove. Every product in our portfolio carries clinical data, every one is preservative-free, and every one gives pharmacists the reassurance that they are offering the best to their patients.”
Unlocking the potential of community pharmacy
Ultimately, Gavin believes that the full potential of eye care in Ireland rests with community pharmacists. “For many people, their first conversation about an eye concern doesn’t happen in a clinic — it happens at the pharmacy counter,” he says.
Unlocking this potential requires three things:
1. Confidence. Patients often arrive uncertain whether their discomfort is dry eye, blepharitis, or simple irritation. Pharmacists, equipped with evidence-based, preservativefree solutions, can provide clarity and reassurance.
2. Visibility. Eye care is sometimes overlooked on pharmacy shelves. Théa’s Brand Architecture ensures that the category stands out, encouraging patient engagement and positioning the pharmacist as the expert guide.
3. Sustainable business support. With tools like the margin calculator, pharmacists can see exactly how Théa products support their profitability, giving them the confidence to invest in patient care.
As Gavin concludes, “Community pharmacists are at the heart of every town and village in Ireland. They are trusted like family, and their advice carries enormous weight. If they have the right tools, evidence, and support, they can truly transform how
patients manage their eye health. Our promise at Théa Pharma is simple: to be there beside them — supporting their expertise, strengthening their business, and helping deliver the very best care for patients.”
Conclusion
From bold innovation to genuine partnership with pharmacists, Théa Pharma has reshaped the landscape of eye care in Ireland. By focusing on preservativefree, clinically proven solutions, investing in education, and providing transparent business support, the company has established itself as Ireland’s number one choice in eye health. As 2026 approaches, Théa Pharma is poised to bring its global leadership and local expertise together in a way that will further empower Irish pharmacists and improve patient outcomes. With innovation, trust, and partnership at its core, Théa Pharma’s future looks every bit as defining as its past milestones.
Catch more at IPN HERE
Read IPN October HERE
