The Food and Grocery Council says banning some common cough and cold remedies from supermarket shelves would be absurd, and costly for consumers.
Medsafe's Medicines Classifications Committee is considering a proposal to remove the remedies from sale anywhere other than pharmacies.
It could result in the reclassifion of four ingredients found in products such as hot lemon drinks and cough lozenges, and restrictions on how they are sold.
The Food and Grocery Council says banning the sale of 70 remedies from supermarkets and dairies would mean they could be bought only in pharmacies at a price up to 45% higher.
Public submissions close in a week, and the committee is likely to consider the change at its meeting next month.
