Irish Pharmacy Excellence Awards 2025 winners announced

With great excitement and pride, the winners of the 2025 Irish Pharmacy Excellence Awards were unveiled at this year’s highly anticipated celebration of Ireland’s pharmacy profession.

The event brought together leaders, innovators, and frontline teams from across the country to honour the individuals and organisations whose dedication, compassion and expertise continue to shape the future of Irish healthcare.

Held in partnership with the Pharmacy Benevolent Fund, the ceremony shone a spotlight on the transformative impact that pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, academics and pharmacy teams have on communities every day.

From patient-facing excellence to groundbreaking research and leadership, the calibre of entries this year demonstrated the extraordinary breadth of talent that exists within Ireland’s pharmacy sector.

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A spokesperson for the Pharmacy Excellence Awards committee said, “What an extraordinary celebration of the people who make pharmacy in Ireland so special. Every story, every initiative, every achievement showcased today reflects the heart and dedication of our profession. Congratulations to all finalists and winners, your work continues to inspire us all.”

Throughout the event, it became clear that pharmacists and pharmacy teams across Ireland are driving meaningful change, enhancing patient care, strengthening community wellbeing, advancing clinical practice, and pushing boundaries through innovation and research.

The judging panel, made up of respected experts from across the field, faced incredibly tough decisions, a testament to the exceptional standard of entries in every category.

One of the standout achievements this year came from Diana Hogan-Murphy, who not only led the hospital pharmacy team of the year but also earned the gold award for pharmacist contribution to the community, reflecting her profound impact through Galway University Hospitals and the HSE National Simulation Office.

Meanwhile, Tomás Conefrey of Conefrey’s CarePlus Pharmacy was honoured with the prestigious pharmacist of the year award, recognising his enduring contribution to community care and professional leadership.

A heartfelt thank you goes to our generous sponsors, whose valuable support makes these awards possible: Ireland’s Blue Book, United Drug, Clarity Locums, the Benevolent Fund, Reckitt, Select Experiences, KDL Retail Interiors, the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU), Athlone Pharmaceuticals, TouchStore, Business Post, DPD and Uniphar.

Their ongoing commitment helps to elevate and strengthen the future of Irish pharmacy.

We are equally grateful to our esteemed panel of judges, Aine Martin, Emily Kelly, Caoimhe McAuley, Catriona Bradley, Ciaran Rooney, Maeve Hynes, Maura Kinahan, Paula Reilly, Rosemarie Tully, Ramy Seraphim, Ronan Sheridan, Eimhear Reilly, Conor McCrystal and Grainne Henson, whose insight, fairness and dedication ensured thoughtful consideration went into every decision.

Across the afternoon, it became clear just how much the pharmacy profession contributes to Irish society. The stories behind each finalist and winner reflect unwavering dedication to patients, clinical growth, and community wellbeing.

From research and innovation to patient care and leadership, the Pharmacy Excellence Awards highlight a vibrant, evolving profession at the heart of Irish healthcare.

Congratulations to all winners, finalists, and nominees; you have truly inspired us all.

2025 Irish Pharmacy Excellence Awards

Commitment to sustainability, health, and wellbeing

Sponsored by Ireland’s Blue Book

Anton Savage, MC of the awards; Dervila Mc Garry, head of marketing at PHX Ireland, McCabes Pharmacy & United Drug; Marina Timotijevic, marketing leader; Liam Gleeson, customer service executive at Ireland’s Blue Book and Lauren Tracey, assistant brand marketing manager at McCabes Pharmacy. Photograph: Paul Sherwood

● Gold: McCabes Pharmacy Marketing Team, Co Dublin

● Silver: Marron’s Pharmacy, Co Kildare

● Bronze: MPharm Development Team at SETU, Co Waterford

Equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging award

● Gold: School of Pharmacy, University College Cork

Anton Savage, MC of the awards and Suzanne McCarthy, senior lecturer at University College Cork. Photograph: Paul Sherwood

Excellence in community pharmacy chain/group (multiple outlets and single superintendent)

Anton Savage, MC of the awards; Lisa Byrne, manager at Boots Navan; Wiktoria Szczech, supervising pharmacist at Boots Navan; Said Danishani, regulatory affairs manager Boots Ireland; Grainne Henson, head of health sector at Bank of Ireland; Jorge Fernandez Gomez, supervising pharmacist at Boots Tallaght; Paddy Frost, support pharmacist at Boots Rathmines; Eimear Ni Ghiollagain, supervising pharmacist at Boots Rathmines; Niamh Saul, manager at Boots Tallaght; Eimear McElheron, dispenser at boots;May Lambert, Boots Omni; Michelle Spellman, Boots Omni; Aidene Browne, supervising pharmacist at Boots Roselawn; Justyna Sobcyzk, dispenser at Boots Roselawn; Daniel O’Neill, supervising pharmacist at Boots Gorey; Caitriona Browne, Boots Rathmines; Sarah Mackessy, supervising pharmacist at Boots Wellpark; Bianca Monteiro, dispenser at Boots Rathmines and Jane Taylor, support pharmacist at Boots Wellpark. Photograph: Paul Sherwood.

● Gold: Boots Ireland, Co Dublin

● Silver: Keating’s CarePlus Pharmacy Dooradoyle, Mahers CarePlus and Dooradoyle CarePlus Pharmacy, Co Limerick

● Bronze: Molloys Pharmacy, Co Mayo

Excellence in community pharmacy independent (single outlet & single superintendent)

Sponsored by United Drug

Anton Savage, MC of the awards; John Cronin; Caoilfhionn Ni Domnaill owner of Collins Kinsaly pharmacy;David Ruane, director, United Drug Consumer and Eadaoin Ni Domnaill. Photograph: Paul Sherwood

● Gold: Collins Kinsale Pharmacy (Navi Group), Co Cork

● Silver: Haven Pharmacy Murphy’s, Co Wexford

● Bronze: Reidy’s Pharmacy Ltd, Co Dublin

Excellence in locum pharmacy

Sponsored by Clarity Locums

Anthony O’Neill, managing director at Clarity Locums; Jamie Phillips, managing director at Chemois Medical Solutions Ltd. and Anton Savage, MC of the awards. Photograph: Paul Sherwood

● Gold: Jamie Phillips – Chemois Medical Services, Co Wicklow

Excellence in pharmacy non patient-facing roles

Anton Savage, MC of the awards and Arkadius Dokudovi, IT operations and product manager at Navi Group and founder, Irish Grass-Fed Supplements (IGF). Photograph: Paul Sherwood

● Gold: Arkadius Dokudovic – TillSense, Navi Group, Co Dublin

● Silver: Adam Esa – Taskgo AI, Co Wexford

● Bronze: David O’Grady – PIER, Co Wexford

Health initiative of the year

Anton Savage, MC of the awards; Sheena McEntaggart, pharmacist and owner; Anne-Marie Breen, pharmacist; Maria Bradley, otc assistant; Chloe Cottrell, otc assistant; Eimear McGuinness, technician; Kate McGowan, otc assistant; Faye McEntaggart, otc assistant; Erica Reilly, otc assistant; Jessica Aherne, otc assistant; Heather Martin, otc assistant and James McGowan, owner. Photograph: Paul Sherwood

● Gold: Sheena’s Pharmacy, Co Meath

● Silver: Joy Jameson – Jameson’s Totalhealth Pharmacy, Co Cavan

Hospital pharmacy team of the year

Sponsored by United Drug

Anton Savage, MC of the awards; Sonya Lynch, head of secondary care and key account manager, Diana Hogan-Murphy, chief 2 pharmacist for medication safety, Galway University Hospitals; Deirdre Cunningham, senior clinical pharmacist, UHG; Rachel MacCarthy, senior clinical pharmacist, UHG;and Fiona Nolan, pharmacist, HSE. Photograph: Paul Sherwood

● Gold: Diana Hogan-Murphy – Galway University Hospitals, Co Galway

Lifetime achievement award

Sponsored by the Pharmacy Benevolent Fund

Anton Savage, MC of the awards; Nicola Cantwell, chair of Pharmacy Benevolent Fund; Richard Collis, pharmacist and recipient of lifetime achievement award. Photograph: Paul Sherwood

● Gold: Richard Collis

Manager of the year

Sponsored by Reckitt

Anton Savage, MC of the awards; Lisa Power, store manager at Hickey’s Pharmacy Gorey and Matthew List-Rose, GM Ireland, Reckitt. Photograph: Paul Sherwood

● Gold: Lisa Power – Hickeys Pharmacy Gorey, Co Wexford

● Silver: María Galfetti – Rathfarnham Pharmacy, Co Dublin

● Bronze: Anne Devlin – McCauley Pharmacy Redmond Square, Co Dublin

Pharmacist of the year

Sponsored by the Pharmacy Benevolent Fund

Anton Savage, MC of the awards; Nicola Cantwell, chair of Pharmacy Benevolent Fund; and Tomás Conefrey, community pharmacist. Photograph: Paul Sherwood

● Gold: Tomás Conefrey – Conefrey’s CarePlus Pharmacy

● Silver: Niamh Ryan – The Crescent Pharmacy, Glasnevin

● Bronze: Kevin McDonnell – O’Reilly’s Tonlegee Road Allcare Pharmacy

Patient nominated award

Sponsored by Irish Pharmacy Union

Anton Savage, MC of the awards; Tom Murray, president, IPU; Áine Mac Grory, superintendent pharmacist at Rathfarnham Pharmacy. Photograph: Paul Sherwood

● Gold: Áine Mac Grory – Rathfarnham Pharmacy, Co Dublin

Pharmacist contribution to the community

Sponsored by Athlone Pharmaceuticals

Anton Savage, MC of the awards; Richard Doherty, key account manager at Athlone Pharmaceuticals and Diana Hogan-Murphy, chief 2 pharmacist for medication safety at Galway University Hospitals. Photograph: Paul Sherwood

● Gold: Diana Hogan-Murphy – HSE Galway University Hospitals, Co Galway

● Silver: Deirdre Kane – O’Shaughnessy’s Pharmacy, Co Meath

● Bronze: Paddy Byrne – Life Pharmacy Ballsbridge, Co Dublin

Pharmacist-led team award

Sponsored by Touchstore

Anton Savage, MC of the awards; Ger Cassidy, CEO, Touchstore; Rosemary Behan, pharmacist. Photograph: Paul Sherwood

● Gold: Rosemary Behan – St. Vincent’s Private Hospital, Co Dublin

● Silver: Fiona Nolan – HSE, Co Galway

● Bronze: Allcare Pharmacy Ballyfermot, Co Dublin

Pharmacy technician of the year

Anton Savage, MC of the awards and Michalina Biskupska, lead technician at McCabes pharmacy. Photograph: Paul Sherwood

● Gold: Michalina Biskupska – McCabes Pharmacy Pavilions, Co Dublin

● Silver: Christina Rooney – Hermitage Medical Clinic, Co Dublin

● Bronze: Paula Gaffey – Hendricks Pharmacy, Co Galway

Practice-based research award

Anton Savage, MC of the awards; Prof Frank Moriarty, associate professor, RCSI; Mena Eskandaer, Pharmacy Benevolent Fund. Photograph: Paul Sherwood

● Gold: Prof Frank Moriarty – associate professor, school of pharmacy and biomolecular sciences and institutional lead for open research, RCSI

Professional excellence award

Sponsored by Business Post

Anton Savage, MC of the awards; Josie Lane, sales assistant; Zara Lily Shannon, sales assistant; Máire Morrissey, director; Sharon Smith, sales assistant; Cathay Manning, pharmacy student; Edwina Morrissey, medical safety pharmacist, TUH; Caoimhe Noonan, sales assistant; Sarah Fogarty, technician; Mia Gormley, sales assistant; Therese Noonan, sales assistant; Noel Killeen, key account manager, Business Post; Jonathan Morrissey, managing director, superintendent pharmacist; Ciara Callan, technician; Mary Byrne, pharmacist; Jordan Marron, sales assistant; Kadie Collins, sales assistant; Edel O’Flaherty, director; Genevieve Morrisey, pharmacist and Carla McGauran, sales assistant. Photograph: Paul Sherwood

● Gold: Marron’s Pharmacy

● Silver: Aisling Reast – RCSI

● Bronze: Joan Peppard – Locum and pharmacy consultant

Special merit award

Anton Savage, MC of the awards; Tom Murray, president, IPU; Noel Stenson, CEO, Stenson Consultancy. Photograph: Paul Sherwood

● Special Merit: Tom Murray

Special recognition awards

● Gold: Ger Gahan – Irish Pharmacy Union, Co Dublin

● Silver: Aaron Dawson – Conaty’s CarePlus Dunboyne, Co Meath

● Bronze: Peter Conry – Whelans Pharmacy Riverchapel, Co Wexford

Anton Savage, MC of the awards and Ger Gahan, IPU medicines information pharmacist. Photograph: Paul Sherwood

Team member of the year

Sponsored by DPD

Anton Savage, MC of the awards; Fidelma Gately, head of customer engagement, DPD; Christopher McGarrity, supervising pharmacist, McCabes pharmacy. Photograph: Paul Sherwood

● Gold: Christopher McGarrity – McCabes Pharmacy Letterkenny, Co Donegal

● Silver: Mary Lucey – Boots Jervis, Co Dublin

● Bronze: Jennifer Regan – Home Pharmacy Galway, Co Galway

Young pharmacist of the year

Sponsored by Uniphar

Anton Savage, MC of the awards; Ariane Kane, pharmacist; Ramy Seraphim, superintendent pharmacist, Uniphar group. Photograph: Paul Sherwood

● Gold: Ariane Kane – Hickeys Pharmacy Dundalk, Co Dublin

● Silver: Lucas Maughan – McCabes Pharmacy, Co Dublin

● Bronze: Paul Sambrooks – Mahers Totalhealth Chemist, Co Louth