Chris O'Grady
MPharm MPSI — Pharmacist, NRT Specialist & Director of HPRA Wholesale Distribution
- MPharm — University of Sunderland
- BSc Biomedical Sciences — University of Sunderland
- PSI Registered Pharmacist (MPSI) — Verify at thepsi.ie
- HPRA Responsible Person — Chemco Wholesale Distribution Authorisation
- Clinical focus: NRT and stop smoking, B-vitamin and energy supplementation, liver support
- GDP, FMD, IMVO & controlled drugs governance specialist
- Co-Founder of Chemco Pharmacy (2008) and Reassurance.ie (national COVID-19 testing initiative)
- Active lifestyle: home gym training, recreational sport, Liverpool FC supporter
- Chemco Pharmacy, Ireland
“From a smoker on their third quit attempt to a Saturday-night patient looking for something to take the edge off Sunday — pharmacy answers both. Most people don’t realise how much the right NRT, the right liver support and the right B-vitamins can change how they feel. I use them myself.” — Chris O'Grady, Pharmacist (MPSI), Co-Founder, Chemco Pharmacy
Areas of Clinical Expertise
NRT & Stop Smoking
- Nicotine replacement therapy across all formats
- Combination therapy (patch + fast-acting NRT) protocols
- Step-down patch programmes (21mg → 14mg → 7mg)
- Heavy smoker vs light smoker dosing
- Quit-plan structure and behavioural counselling
- Relapse prevention and second/third attempts
Energy, Recovery & Active Lifestyle
- B-vitamin and B12 supplementation
- Milk thistle and liver support protocols
- Multivitamin selection for active adults
- Berocca range — classic vs Boost vs Immuno
- Home gym supplementation and immune support
- Hangover recovery and rehydration
Chris’s Story — Pharmacy, Quitting Smoking, and Living the Recovery
I co-founded Chemco Pharmacy in 2008 with James Cloney. My background is biomedical sciences and pharmacy — BSc and MPharm from the University of Sunderland — and my professional focus inside the business is wholesale distribution: I’m the HPRA Responsible Person for Chemco’s Wholesale Distribution Authorisation in Kilkenny, accountable for GDP compliance, FMD, IMVO verification and controlled drugs governance across our wholesale operation.
But the part of pharmacy that most patients meet me through is the counter. And the counter conversation I have most often — the one I care about most — is NRT. Every smoker who walks in is on their second, third or fifth attempt to quit. Most of them have done it wrong before: a single 14mg patch, or just gum, or trying willpower alone. The pharmacist conversation that changes outcomes is the combination one: a 21mg patch for the steady background, plus QuickMist or a lozenge for the cravings as they hit. That combination is the most evidence-based NRT protocol available without prescription. And it works.
The second category I get asked about most is energy and recovery. I’m honest about it: I work hard during the week, I train in my home gym, and I socialise at the weekend. I know what a Sunday morning feels like after a few drinks. The products on this page — Berocca Boost, milk thistle, AYA B12, Pharmaton — are the ones I use in my own routine. Not theoretical recommendations. Real-world tested.
During COVID-19 I founded Reassurance.ie, a national rapid-testing initiative for workplaces, travel, sport and communities across Ireland. That experience reinforced what I already knew about pharmacy: the products we sell only matter if patients understand how to use them properly. The Top 10 below isn’t a sales list — it’s the pharmacist counter conversation, condensed.
Chris’s Top 10 — NRT, Weekend Recovery & Daily Energy
Personal recommendations from clinical practice and real-world use. Black tags indicate lifestyle / weekend recovery applications.
Nicorette QuickMist 1mg Mouth Spray Twin Pack
The fastest-acting NRT on the market and the product I recommend first to anyone serious about quitting. The mouth spray delivers nicotine in 60 seconds — faster than any patch, gum or lozenge — which matters when a craving hits. The twin pack is the best value if you’re committing to a proper quit plan. Use alongside a 21mg patch for the strongest evidence-based combination therapy.
NiQuitin Clear Step 1 21mg Patch 7 Pack
The 24-hour patch I recommend for heavy smokers starting out. Steady background nicotine delivery means cravings don’t hit as hard between QuickMist or lozenge top-ups. Step 1 (21mg) is for smokers of more than 10/day; step down to 14mg after 4 weeks, 7mg after another 4 weeks. Combination therapy — patch plus spray or lozenge — is the most effective NRT approach.
Nicorette Cools 4mg Lozenges 80 Pack
The lozenge option for smokers who can’t or don’t want to use gum. Dissolves slowly between cheek and gum, no chewing, discreet at work or in social settings. The 4mg strength is for heavier smokers (20+/day) or those who smoke first thing in the morning. The 80-pack is the value option for the full first month of a serious quit attempt.
Nicotinell 2mg Fruit Gum 96 Pack
Classic NRT gum, fruit flavour for people who don’t like the mint taste. 2mg strength suits lighter smokers (under 20/day). Chew slowly until you taste it, then park the gum between cheek and gum to absorb the nicotine — most people chew too fast and never get the proper release. 96-pack covers the first 4 weeks of a quit attempt comfortably.
Berocca Boost 15 Pack Effervescent
Standard Berocca plus guarana and ginseng for added kick. The product I reach for on a Saturday or Sunday morning. B vitamins for energy metabolism, vitamin C for immune support, electrolytes for hydration, plus the guarana lift. Drop one in a glass of water before breakfast — sharpens the day. Different from classic Berocca: the Boost version has the energy kick.
Milk thistle (silymarin) is the herbal extract most consistently associated with liver support. Useful for anyone who drinks regularly, takes regular medication, or wants general liver wellness. A.Vogel is a fresh-herb tincture-based formulation — better quality than the cheaper dried-extract tablets. Take it daily as a baseline, not just after a heavy weekend.
AYA Vitamin B12 1000mcg 120 Tablets
B12 deficiency is one of the most under-diagnosed causes of low energy. Vegans and vegetarians, older adults, anyone on metformin or PPIs, and heavy drinkers are all at higher risk. AYA’s 1000mcg high-dose tablets give you 4 months of supply at an excellent price point. If B12 deficiency is the cause of your tiredness, you’ll notice the difference within 2–4 weeks of consistent daily use.
Pharmaton Vitality 11 Multivitamin 100 Caplets
The men’s multivitamin I recommend most often for active adults. Comprehensive B-vitamin complex plus ginseng for energy, vitamin C and zinc for immune support, plus minerals for general wellness. 100 caplets gives you a 3-month supply. Take one a day with breakfast — ginseng works better with consistent daily use, not as a quick-fix.
Berocca Immuno Effervescent 30 Pack
Berocca with added vitamin D, vitamin A and zinc for immune support. The version I recommend during heavy gym training cycles or when you’re putting your body under load and want immune support to keep up. Also good in winter or when travelling. Same B-vitamin energy benefit as classic Berocca, with the extra immune component.
Brogan's Vitamin B12 Syrup 200ml
Liquid B12 for anyone who hates swallowing tablets, or for older adults who absorb liquid B12 better than tablet forms. Brogan’s is Irish-made, high-strength, well-priced. A teaspoon daily. Pair with a B-complex for the full B-vitamin picture, or use standalone if your only deficiency is B12.
Condition by Condition — Quick Reference
The right starting point for each common scenario, from Chris’s clinical practice and real-world use.
Stop Smoking — First Serious Attempt
Nicorette QuickMist for cravings + a 21mg patch for steady background nicotine. The combination is significantly more effective than either alone. Allow 12 weeks for a complete quit.
Shop QuickMist →Stop Smoking — Heavy Smoker
NiQuitin Step 1 21mg patch + 4mg Cools lozenge as required. Step down to 14mg patch after 4 weeks, 7mg after another 4 weeks. Don’t skip the step-down.
Shop NiQuitin Patch →Hangover / Morning After
Berocca Boost first thing in a glass of water + 500ml plain water. B vitamins replenish what alcohol depletes. Eat something — fasted recovery is worse.
Shop Berocca Boost →Liver Support — Regular Drinkers
A.Vogel Milk Thistle daily as a baseline — not just after a heavy night. Cumulative benefit over weeks and months. Pair with B Complex for the full liver support stack.
Shop Milk Thistle →Low Energy / Persistent Tiredness
AYA B12 1000mcg + Berocca Boost. B12 deficiency is more common than people realise, especially in older adults and vegans. Notice the difference within 2–4 weeks if it’s the cause.
Shop AYA B12 →Pre-Workout / Pre-Match
Berocca Boost 30 minutes before training. B vitamins plus guarana for energy, electrolytes for hydration. Cheaper than dedicated pre-workout supplements with cleaner ingredients.
Shop Berocca Boost →Post-Workout Recovery
Berocca Immuno post-session — replenishes B vitamins used in energy metabolism plus immune support for heavy training loads. Pair with protein intake from diet.
Shop Berocca Immuno →Daily Multivitamin — Active Adults
Pharmaton Vitality 11 for men or general adults. Comprehensive B complex, ginseng, vitamin C, zinc and minerals. One a day with breakfast for consistency.
Shop Pharmaton →Liquid B12 — Tablet-Averse Patients
Brogan’s B12 Syrup — Irish-made, high-strength, well-priced. Teaspoon daily. Better tolerated than tablets for older adults and anyone with absorption issues.
Shop Brogan’s B12 →Immune Support — Active Lifestyle
Berocca Immuno daily during heavy training cycles, winter months or travel. Vitamin D, A and zinc plus the B-vitamin energy benefit.
Shop Berocca Immuno →Qualifications, Training & Professional Experience
Full Professional Profile
- MPharm — Master of Pharmacy, University of Sunderland
- BSc Biomedical Sciences — University of Sunderland
- PSI Registered Pharmacist (MPSI) — Verify at thepsi.ie →
- HPRA Responsible Person — Chemco Pharmacy Wholesale Distribution Authorisation (WDA), Purcellsinch, Kilkenny
- Good Distribution Practice (GDP) compliance specialist
- Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD) and IMVO verification system
- Controlled drugs governance and pharmaceutical quality assurance
- Co-Founder, Chemco Pharmacy (2008) with James Cloney
- Founder, Reassurance.ie — national rapid COVID-19 testing initiative for workplaces, travel, sport and communities
- Clinical focus on NRT, stop smoking, B-vitamin supplementation, liver support and active-lifestyle wellness
More from Chris & Chemco
Ask Chris or the Chemco Team
Quitting smoking and not sure where to start? Looking for the right multivitamin or B12 supplement? Our PSI-registered pharmacists are available by phone and email.