Pharmacies statewide have been forced to tighten supplies after a push for panic-buying asthma medications last week and widespread fears about the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Fell said one key issue had been those without a prescription trying to access puffers. In the past this could be made at the pharmacist's discretion but now people must have a history of use in the pharmacy they are visiting for consideration.

This is to help ensure those who need the medication most have access..

Mr Fell said there was a reliable supply of asthma medication trickling through to pharmacies from wholesalers. Restrictions on demand helped ease pressure on the producers, allowing them to keep up.

As part of this, people with prescriptions are restricted to one preventer or puffer per person - even if their script is for two.

Mr Fell said his pharmacies were taking note of this and calling people to fulfill the script with a second puffer when more supplies arrived in store.

Anyone with asthma or concerned about previous respiratory illness during COVID-19 should make sure their asthma plans are up-to-date with their general practitioner.

Mr Fell said if asthma plans were under control, people should not be ripping through their asthma medication and only using occasionally.

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