Pharmacies in Europe see surge in demand for iodine as worry over Russia's actions grows

Pharmacies in several European countries have reported a spike in interest in certain tablets as nuclear safety concerns grow over Russia's invasion on Ukraine. Pill-form iodine and potassium iodide have been flying off the shelves, according to report from Bloomberg, which notes Finland in particular saw a more than 100-fold increase in demand. Brussels Times reported that 30,000 Belgium residents went to get free pills from pharmacies in the midst of Russia's president Vladimir Putin announcing the country's nuclear deterrent forces were on high alert. Read: QUIZ: Test your knowledge of subclinical hypothyroidism CBS News also reported that a single bottle of 180 potassium iodide (also called KI) is now priced at $70, a massive surge from $30 a few weeks ago. "If radioactive iodine is released into the air after a radiological or nuclear event it can be breathed into the lungs," reads a fact sheet from the U.S. Center for Disease Control. "In most cases, once radioactive iodine has entered the body, the thyroid gland quickly absorbs it. After it has been absorbed into the thyroid gland, radioactive iodine can then cause thyroid gland injury. Because KI acts to block radioactive iodine from being taken into the thyroid gland, it can help protect this gland from injury." The CDC notes that taking KI only does specific things in relation to nuclear concerns. "KI cannot protect parts of the body other than the thyroid from radioactive iodine. KI cannot protect the body from any radioactive elements other than iodine. If radioactive iodine is not present, then taking KI is not protective." This type of panic buying can be a problematic strain on supply, noted one Italian pharmacist, who strongly advised patients not to take iodine unless their doctor had directed them to. “Unfortunately stockpiling harms those who really need the drug for thyroid disease, and can’t find it,” he told Italian newspaper Repubblica. Read: Long-term cardiovascular risks are substantial in COVID-19 survivors

Pharmacies in Europe see surge in demand for iodine as worry over Russia's actions grows

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