Pharmacies in the Wimmera and Ararat have been "flat-out" serving customers but say most products are still accessible even though there are purchase limits.
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On Thursday the federal government announced the dispensing and sales of prescriptions and certain over-the-counter medicines were to be limited to one month's supply to prevent people from stockpiling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
PharmaSave Ararat Pharmacy manager Leigh Preston said the store had been twice as busy as it would be at Christmas and Easter time. He said Ventolin had been the worst hit.
"It has just been madness," he said. "We have a shortage of stock but there is usually enough to get through each day."
Mr Preston said the pharmacy had seen a slight increase in delivery services, which were available from 3pm until 6pm.
"It's only going to get worse," he said. "Some medication is fine but we won't be able to get Ventolin until next week."
Priceline Pharmacy Horsham owner Cobie McQueen said there were certain products that she had seen a spike in sales of, including hand sanitiser, thermometers and paracetamol.
"We are trying to get and keep stock on our shelves and limit purchases to one of these things," she said.
Ms McQueen said the regulations on prescription and over-the-counter medicines weren't new.
"It is reinforcing what was already there to prevent hoarding and stop a shortage in the future," she said.
Ms McQueen said the pharmacy was offering its regular free home delivery service, a click and collect service for products and people could order through their app.
Horsham Amcal Pharmacy has rolled out Zip Pay for customers self-isolating and advised customers to ensure their scripts were kept on file to ease the collection of medication.
The pharmacy has also ceased the practice of having people sign for scripts and has requested people pay with contactless card where possible.
Warracknabeal Pharmacy has also introduced a non-contact delivery service to assist with the increasing demand, as well as support people self-isolating.
"If there are delays with our services and response times, please be patient with us as we try to fulfil everyone's needs to the best of our abilities," the pharmacy wrote in a Facebook post.
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Eliza Berlage
Eliza Berlage made the move to Horsham to report for the Wimmera Mail-Times in October 2019. Originally from Sydney, she has a sociology background and spent two years working in the press gallery in Canberra.
Eliza Berlage made the move to Horsham to report for the Wimmera Mail-Times in October 2019. Originally from Sydney, she has a sociology background and spent two years working in the press gallery in Canberra.
