The East Ballina Shopping Centre chemist has reopened after losing a full day of trade when offenders rammed a vehicle through the shopfront in the early hours of Thursday.

The incident happened about 2.30am when a vehicle was driven into the front sliding door, shattering the glass and causing extensive damage.

The thieves crawled inside through the broken glass and stole a quantity of  Class A medication from the dispensary.

It’s understood the value of the drugs was worth less than the actual damage bill.

It’s believe to be the first such ram-raid break-in at a local chemist, however industry insiders say such incidents have occurred sporadically in parts of South West Queensland.

It’s also the first time a shop in the East Ballina Shopping Centre has been targeted in this way.

The neighbouring bottle shop installed bollards after a car rammed through its front entrance a few years ago, although that incident was linked to a medical episode and not a robbery.

Police have not released any details about the vehicle or the people involved at this stage.  Inquiries are continuing.

The chemist was closed on Thursday while crews repaired the entrance.

Staff reopened on Friday with the popular pharmacy now back serving the East Ballina community as normal.