Local residents along with the rest of NSW now have to now provide identification and leave their name on a permanent record if they wish to buy traditional cold medicines such as Codral, Sudafed or even the powder-to liquid Lemsip.

Pseudeophedrine is an ingredient of methylamphetamines or speed and as of the start of this year, it has been listed under Schedule Three restrictions, meaning it is now restricted to behind counter pharmacist sales.

Local Pharmacist Doug Heilman, working at the Canowindra Pharmacy last week, said generally people didn't mind showing their ID and he has encountered little problem with customers.

However, he admits that the new restrictions create a lot more work for pharmacists.

"Showing ID is now a part of procedure, it's part of our job. However, even if someone shows their ID, by law we are at liberty to refuse a sale if we think the substance will be abused".

Mr Heilman has been a registered pharmacist for over fifty years and naturally saw the changes coming, but believes that the restricted medicines in time will be reformulated.

"They'll be re formulated and come out with another product in them that can't be converted".

The changes don't stop here.

From April 1 medicines with pseudoephedrine will come under Schedule Four - only available with a doctor's prescription.