Australian pharmacists have been given new rules on how much medication they can sell to customers amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The deputy chief medical officer Paul Kelly revealed there have been horrifying examples of people panic buying supplies in case they have to self-isolate for two weeks.
Dr Kelly has insisted there is no supply issue at the moment, however if people continue unnecessarily stockpiling essential medicines then some people will go without.
"There have been reports of people buying large quantities of these medications over the last few days," Dr Kelly said.
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"I recognise again that people are fearful about issues, particularly those that might affect their own families.
"But I say again, as the Prime Minister said yesterday about panic buying, please do not buy more than you need."
The new measures mean over-the-counter medicines like Ventolin and paracetamol will now be limited to one unit per person. Paracetamol for kids will now be kept behind the counter to prevent more stockpiling.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison yesterday slammed people for stockpiling supplies during the pandemic.
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Mr Morrison has called on everyone to settle down, buy what they need for a two week period, and give each other a hand if they need it.
"On bulk purchasing of supplies: Stop hoarding. I can't be more blunt about it. Stop it. It is not sensible, it is not helpful and it has been one of the most disappointing things I have seen in Australian behaviour in response to this crisis," Mr Morrison said.
"That is not who we are as a people. It is not necessary. It is not something that people should be doing.
"What it does is it is distracting attention and efforts that need to be going into other measures, to be focusing on how we maintain supply chains into these shopping centres.
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"There is no reason for people to be hoarding supplies in fear of a lock down or anything like this. As I have said, we're putting in place scalable and sustainable measures.
"I am seeking Australia's common-sense cooperation with these very clear advisory positions. Stop doing it. It's ridiculous! It's unAustralian, and it must stop, and I would ask people to do the right thing by each other in getting a handle on these sorts of practices.
"Also: Do not abuse staff. We're all in this together. People are doing their jobs. They're doing their best.
"Whether they're at a testing clinic this morning. Whether they're at a shopping centre. Whether they're at a bank, a train station, everybody is doing their best. So let's just support each other in the work that they are doing."
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