Police have given the all-clear after a man sparked a bomb alert while robbing a pharmacy on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

The robber put a suspicious device on the counter of the chemist at Twin Waters and threatened to blow it up if staff moved during the robbery at about 12.15pm.

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He also sprayed the three female staff with a liquid he claimed was poison, before running off with a haul of drugs.

The bomb squad was called in and some businesses and a golf course were evacuated as officers investigated the device.

Paramedics checked over the pharmacy staff, none of whom was injured in the incident.

An emergency declaration has since been revoked, as a search continues for the offender.

The man is white, in his 40s, slim with greying brown hair.

Police have warned the public not to approach the man and to contact police immediately if they see him.

Sunshine Coast Police Acting Inspector Dale Murphy said the man was earlier seen loitering in the area.

"Witnesses stated that this male person was out the front prior to that spraying an area in front of the store," he said.

The three female staff members, aged 19, 24 and 32, were taken to Nambour General Hospital for observation after being hosed down by a hazmat crew.