But the budget measure to strip some over-the-counter drugs from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme will mean a better deal for consumers, the federal government says.

Health Minister Sussan Ley said the government was paying too much for people to access basic drugs on script at their chemist.

The government wanted to make way for expensive, new-generation cancer and other life-saving drugs on the scheme.

"We have to look at over-the-counter medications such as paracetamol that are being accessed on script at high cost to government," Ms Ley said on Sunday.

For example, removing aspirin from the scheme would cover the cost of listing anti-cancer drug crizotinib.

The minister also hinted all scripts could be slashed by up to $1 as part of a package of measures being negotiated with the Pharmacy Guild and due to start on July 1.

Doctors wanted to see more details about the proposed changes, concerned concession card holders could be affected.

The Australian Medical Association also warned if the primary goal was to simply cut dollars, it could result in adverse clinical outcomes.

"We want to make sure that the most vulnerable groups are protected," AMA vice-president Stephen Parnis said in Melbourne.

Labor said it was "sensible" to the review of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

Access to Nurofen Plus, Panadeine and other common painkillers sold to millions of Australians each year could soon be curtailed by health authorities amid reports of harmful side effects, addiction and fatal overuse.

Meantime, Australia's drug regulator is considering a proposal to make about 150 codeine products prescription-only medicines, meaning they could no longer be freely purchased over the counter at pharmacies and would require a visit to a doctor.

Medicines affected by the change could include Codral Original Cold and Flu Tablets, Aspalgin Soluble tablets and Mersyndol Tablets, which are marketed for short-term pain such as headaches, toothaches and period pain.

Although many people use the drugs safely in recommended amounts, doctors say an increasing number are suffering severe gastrointestinal damage and internal bleeding from taking excessive doses of ibuprofen, which is often mixed with codeine.