Proudly Australian Made and Owned For Over 100 Years
Dr Thar’s Wonderful Ointment
The Ready family brought Apothecary training with them when they immigrated from England in 1851 and their Rutherglen pharmacy was well known for their remedies and curative potions and ointments.
Their release of “Dr Thar’s Wonderful Ointment” by Thomas Harris Archibald Ready, who’s initials form the product title, was an antiseptic poultice ointment designed for the relief from “poisoned sores, pimples, piles, eczema, bad legs, and all skin diseases” and also emphasised its powers as a drawing ointment.
Thar's, A Household Name
By the '60's, fame of its efficacy meant that the ointment was a household name and was widely available across Victoria.
Gerard McConvill proudly stocked Thar's in his Bourke Street pharmacy, “Sutcliffe's Pharmacy”, one of the oldest in Melbourne and the official chemist to The Governor of Victoria.
It was a beautiful example of the Victorian era. The shelves, drawers and counters were of polished mahogany and there was an abundance of leadlight, crystal knobs, brass and marble scales and an original National Cash Register.
Distribution and Popularity Reignited
In the late '80's the family formula was re-established by Sutcliffe Laboratories, taking on a new tin and a media campaign. Interest in the product was reignited by customers seeking natural skin care products and a return to tried and true medicines, with a history spanning generations.
Determined to offer their microbiologically tested product to sufferers of eczema, pimples and boils, distribution spread from Victoria to Tasmania and the ACT and demand outstripped supply.
Now Available in a Tube
In 2017, Thar’s was relaunched in a convenient tamper-evident tube, helping maintain product integrity while making it easier to use at home or on the go.
With demand as strong as ever, Thar’s is now available in many retailers and pharmacies, so customers can shop directly whenever they need to restock.
Click to find your nearest retailer.