A 39-year-old man has been charged with one count of armed robbery and one count of enter premises with intent following investigations into an incident at a medical centre in Idalia this afternoon.

Police will allege around 1pm, the man entered the Kokoda Street premises wearing a balaclava and armed with a knife before threatening a number of people inside.

It will be further alleged the man then entered an adjoining pharmacy where he threatened an employee and demanded prescription drugs.

The shop assistant complied and the man fled the store in a vehicle with a quantity of cash and prescription drugs.

Police arrived on scene a short time later and identified the vehicle at Loam Drive Rasmussen through information provided to them by witnesses.

A man was detained by police and items were further located.

A 39-year-old Heatley man is expected to appear in the Townsville Magistrates Court tomorrow.