FAQ

The last distribution directly to households, workplaces and institutions within 50 km of a Swiss nuclear power plant (NPP) took place in 2014. During this campaign, potassium iodide 65 AApot tablets (authorisation holder until the end of 2022: Armed Forces Pharmacy) were distributed in a pack with a purple stripe. Depending on the batch, the shelf life of these tablets will expire between the end of 2023 and September 2024, which is why the Armed Forces Pharmacy has runned a new distribution campaign 2023/2024. This time, packs with an orange stripe were distributed. They are manufactured by the company SERB (potassium iodide 65 SERB tablets (authorisation holder since 2023: DRAC AG)). Potassium iodide 65 AApot tablets in packs with a blue stripe have been stored by cantons completely or partly outside of a 50 km radius from an active NPP since 2020. These tablets can be used until the end of 2029 and will be replaced in good time. Since autumn 2023, potassium iodide 65 SERB tablets with an orange band have also been stored in the cantonal warehouses around the former Mühleberg nuclear power plant.

Potassium iodide SERB tablets and potassium iodide AApot tablets are equivalent.

Each box of potassium iodide 65 SERB contains 2 blisters of 6 tablets each and a package leaflet in three languages. Each tablet contains 65 mg of potassium iodide. The blisters are opaque and covered with an additional white protective film to prevent accidental ingestion by children. The potassium iodide 65 SERB tablets that will be distributed to the population during the autumn 2023 campaign are additionally inside a white shipping box. In addition to the package leaflet in every box of potassium iodide 65 SERB tablets, the shipping box also contains brief information (an information leaflet) in eight languages: German, French, Italian, English, Serbian, Albanian, Spanish and Portuguese. The expiry date of the tablets is only printed on the potassium iodide 65 SERB box.

Potassium iodide 65 SERB and potassium iodide 65 AApot tablets are high-dose iodine tablets that are used only in an emergency and when directed by the authorities. If a serious incident occurs at a nuclear power plant, radioactive iodine is one of the substances that may be released into the environment. This enters the human body in inhaled air and accumulates in the thyroid gland. Iodine tablets prevent radioactive iodine from being absorbed by the thyroid gland. The tablets must be taken at the correct time.

However, iodine tablets taken at the correct time only protect the thyroid against absorption of radioactive iodine. They do not protect the body against the harmful effects of other radioactive substances. The authorities therefore always issue additional instructions, such as to remain inside the house, when directing the population to take iodine tablets.

Iodine tablets are distributed every ten years to Swiss households and workplaces (including schools, kindergartens and childcare facilities) located within 50 km of a Swiss nuclear power plant. Iodine tablets were last distributed directly within this 50 km radius in 2023/2024. 

In regions outside this area, the cantons store enough iodine tablets to supply the population should an incident occur. Iodine tablets were last distributed to the cantons at the end of 2020. This is a precautionary measure in case a serious incident should occur at a NPP in Switzerland or a neighbouring country.

As the Mühleberg nuclear power plant (KKM) was taken off the grid in 2019, iodine tablets were no longer distributed directly to the population, businesses and public institutions in numerous municipalities in the affected regions of the cantons of Bern, Fribourg, Neuchâtel and Vaud during the last distribution in fall 2023. Instead, these cantons are ensuring suitable decentralized storage of iodine tablets in sufficient quantities to supply the entire population in the event of an incident. 

 

Every country is responsible for providing its population with iodine tablets. International bodies recommend countries to develop a strategy for distributing iodine tablets. Iodine tablets are distributed in Switzerland as a precautionary measure in case a serious incident should occur at a Swiss nuclear power plant.

The last distribution campaign within the 50 km radius took place in 2014. Since the shelf life of the tablets distributed then will expire between the end of 2023 and September 2024, depending on the batch, the Armed Forces Pharmacy has launched from 16th october 2023 to 19th november 2023 a new distribution campaign to the population within 50 km of the nuclear power plants in Gösgen, Beznau and Leibstadt. In the first quarter of 2024, deliveries were made to businesses and public institutions. 

The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) has overall responsibility. It is working with the authorisation holder DRAC to provide the necessary medical and scientific information (in accordance with Art. 9 of the Iodine Tablets Ordinance).

The iodine tablets will be distributed by the federal government directly to households, workplaces and public facilities within 50 km of the Swiss nuclear power plants.

In the Iodine Tablets Ordinance procurement, distribution and quality monitoring of the tablets are delegated to the Armed Forces Pharmacy as the centre of excellence.

The Armed Forces Pharmacy works with the permanent “Swiss Iodine Tablets Office”. The Office is currently domiciled with ATAG Wirtschaftsorganisationen AG in Bern.

Federal Office of Public Health – Radiation Protection Division
Dr Sebastien Baechler, Dr Daniel Storch
STR@bag.admin.ch 

Armed Forces Pharmacy: Tactical Operations Centre (TOC)
aapotlvz.lba@vtg.admin.ch 

Swiss Iodine Tablets Office
info@jodtabletten.ch