Finnish pharmacies sold out of iodine tablets in a few hours, after the government asked the population to buy them yesterday morning to prevent the risk of nuclear radiation.
The Finnish Pharmacists Association confirmed today in a statement that potassium iodine tablets have “temporarily” sold out in all pharmacies in the country, but that they will be available “soon”.
The association added that, despite the authorities’ suggestion, “there is no urgent need” to purchase iodine tablets.
The purchase of this product, for which a prescription is required, was so large that it temporarily collapsed the online sale of the largest pharmacy chain in the country, Yliopiston Apteekki.
This morning, the Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health had suggested to the population under 40 years old to buy potassium iodine tablets as a measure to prevent the risk of nuclear radiation.
The Ministry explained in a statement today that there are now no iodine tablets for children under three on sale in Finland, so health centers must import and distribute them to parents and pregnant women.
Potassium iodide prevents the uptake of radioactive iodine through the thyroid, which can cause cancer or damage to this gland when the body is exposed to nuclear radiation.
The World Health Organization recommends the use of these pills in case of a nuclear attack to people up to 40 years old and to pregnant women, in this case to protect the fetus.
Finnish authorities recalled that the most effective way to reduce exposure is to seek refuge indoors, while iodine consumption is a “complementary protective measure”.
He also asked citizens not to take the pills on their own initiative and to wait for the civil protection authorities to issue an emergency warning, if necessary.
