"With the Astravas Nuclear Power Plant, a dangerous nuclear facility in our vicinity, we need to make sure that Lithuanian citizens are protected in the event of an accident. For those living within a 100 km radius of the plant, it is especially important to always have potassium iodide tablets on hand to help protect the thyroid gland from exposure to radioactive iodine and to prevent cancer in the event of an accident. Together with municipalities and the Association of Lithuanian Pharmacies, we will make it possible for residents to pick up these tablets quickly and conveniently," said Minister of Health Marija Jakubauskienė.
Information on which pharmacies and from when residents will be able to collect the tablets will be announced in the near future. Residents are encouraged not to throw away expired tablets, like other medicines that need to be disposed of, but to hand them in to any pharmacy, which will pass them on to a hazardous waste handler.
Almost 5 million new tablets will be distributed to the population of 17 municipalities within a 100 km radius of the Astravas nuclear power plant. Following a new risk assessment, the municipality of Jonava has been added to the 100 km radius.
43,800 potassium iodide tablets were handed over to the Civil Protection System at the end of last year. A further 8.8 thousand were allocated to the Ambulance Service and health care facilities.
Potassium iodide tablets are designed to protect the thyroid gland from the harmful effects of radioactive iodine. When taken in time, the potassium iodide tablets saturate the thyroid with stable iodine, thereby preventing the accumulation of inhaled radioactive iodine in the thyroid and protecting it from damage, such as thyroid cancer and other related diseases.
It is important to note that potassium iodide tablets should only be taken when instructed by the Ministry of Health through information distribution media such as radio, television, etc. They are not intended for prophylactic use and would only be effective if radioactive iodine were released into the environment. No other medicines or food supplements containing iodine are suitable for thyroid protection in the event of a nuclear accident.
The first batch of potassium iodide tablets was distributed in 2020 to the population of 16 municipalities within a 100 km radius of the Astravas nuclear power plant.
In 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) updated its list of critical medications that should be stockpiled for radiological and nuclear emergencies and recommended potassium iodide as a safe and effective means to protect the thyroid from the effects of radioactive iodine. To protect residents and Civil Protection forces, this medication is included in the preparedness plans of many member countries.
