Pharmacists say customers are bulk-buying P2 masks, shipping them to relatives in China and reselling them online at inflated prices, prompting federal health authorities to ask them to limit sales and keep masks on hand in case the deadly coronavirus spreads.

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia president Chris Freeman said pharmacists should avoid "short term profiteering" when dealing with "a long term health risk", saying members should think carefully about how many masks they were selling, and to whom.

Health authorities are asking pharmacists to limit sales of P2 masks to ensure they have enough in reserve. Credit:Getty

Chief medical officer Brendan Murphy has asked the Pharmacy Guild, which represents 5723 pharmacy owners, and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia - representing employed pharmacists - to advise members to keep a sufficient stock of masks in reserve.

Pharmacy Guild president George Tambassis said pharmacists should be free to decide when to sell the masks and what, if any, limits to impose - but should inform customers that masks are only recommended for people with flu-like symptoms or who recently travelled to affected areas in China.