Pharmacies are warning people not to panic and are taking measures to protect the supply of medication in Orange.
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McCarthy's Pharmacy pharmacist in charge Annika Rookyard said there were guidelines in place and wholesalers were putting limits on what pharmacies could order as customers rush in to restock.
"We are absolutely run off our feet like every pharmacy," Miss Rookyard said.
"They've bought all the toilet paper, now they are going for their prescriptions."
However, she said customers were limited to one month of medication, or for non-prescription medication one per person.
Asthma puffers were also being limited to one per person and the pharmacy has new dispensing software to record purchases that don't require a script.
"Locally some people are concerned they don't have their asthma medication but if one person buys 10, that might mean nine people don't get their medication," she said.
"With the elderly we do home delivery and we are pushing that."
Miss Rookyard recommended people get their flu shot from early April so it was still effective in September when new flare ups of influenza often occur.
She said the shots wouldn't stop people getting coronavirus but if people came down with influenza they would be more susceptible to more serious effects of CORVID-19.
Miss Rookyard said the shots do not cause people to get the flu and by getting the shots people would be protecting those who could not.
A spokeswoman from Blooms The Chemist Orange said the pharmacy also has stock of asthma inhalers, as well as children's paracetamol, which is also in high demand.
The spokeswoman said the pharmacy was following the measures implemented by the federal government to minimise the potential for medicine shortages.
"This includes limiting dispensing to one month's supply at the prescribed and sales of some over-the-counter medicines experiencing a surge in demand. Some of these over-the-counter medicines have been placed behind the counter to provide equitable access for customers," she said.
"It's important to remain calm and buy only what you need for now."
Western Area Health is encouraging people who are feeling unwell to contact their GP rather than attend Orange hospital unless they are critically unwell or need emergency care.
The COVID-19 clinic at Orange hospital is for those most at risk of with respiratory symptoms or fever, those returning from overseas or in contact with a COVID-19 case.
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