The TGA is pleading with patients not to stockpile medicines in coronavirus ‘panic buying’, amid fears that raids on local pharmacies could mean some patients miss out.

The regulator said it had not been alerted to any shortages of medicines in Australia due to the global COVID-19 outbreak, but it is concerned that panic buying could inadvertently lead to supply issues.

“Therefore, while it may be appropriate for individuals to ensure that they have at least two weeks supply of prescription medicines in the unlikely event they are quarantined, any stockpiling of medicines is unnecessary,” it said on Tuesday.

“Stockpiling by individuals could result in other consumers being unable to access particular medicines (eg, from their local pharmacy).”