Talk of nuclear war has been putting many people on high alert since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February, causing potassium iodide tablet sales to skyrocket.
At least one supplier Anbex reports it is currently out of stock though a new supply of IOSAT Potassium Iodide in 130mg and 65mg doses is expected in April.
The product is billed as the “only full-strength radio-protective KI [potassium iodide] tablet that has been approved by the FDA and passed all requirements for purity, quality, safety, and efficacy. For use by adults and children in a radiation emergency.”
SERB/BTG/Veriton Specialty Pharmaceuticals, maker of FDA-approved ThyroSafe, also has seen a large and sudden increase in demand for its potassium iodide products globally—and especially in Europe and the United States.
“This has coincided with the conflict in Ukraine. I believe news of fighting around Chernobyl and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant contributed to the heightened interest,” said Chris Sampson, director of corporate communications in the United Kingdom.
“We have not been out of stock, but given the sudden demand and interest in the product, we are working hard to allocate stock and manage demand from our customers and partners globally,” Sampson told The Epoch Times.
In the United States, ThyroSafe and many other potassium iodide products can be purchased over the counter from a number of online sites including MIRA Safety, where a box of Thyrosafe 65mg tablets can be purchased for $21.95.
Sampson said his company temporarily stopped orders through its website due to the “unusually high volume of orders.”
“We are working closely with our suppliers to accelerate the manufacturing of additional batches and to increase manufacturing capacity so that we can continue to meet demand,” Sampson said.
“It’s very important that people understand they should only take potassium iodide tablets when public officials say to. Taking tablets earlier or more often than public officials recommend is not helpful and can increase the chances of side effects.”
By Allan Stein
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