Validity of iodine tablets for the residents of nuclear risk areas

The Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP) is passing on information published by the Directorate General Crisis Center of the Federal Public Service Interior (IBZ) on the validity of iodine tablets distributed to residents of risk zones around nuclear sites. These tablets distributed in 1999 and 2002 remain fully valid and effective at least until the end of October 2009.

The expiry date on the packaging of iodine tablets distributed in 1999 and 2002 has been out of date since 2008. The Institute of Public Health (IPH) has been monitoring annually the conformity of the tablets since the first release in 1999. After further analysis, the IPH confirms that these iodine tablets can still be used in the event of a nuclear accident, at least until the end of October 2009, provided that the storage conditions are met.

The IBZ is doing its utmost to organize as soon as possible the campaign for the distribution of new iodine tablets and the information campaign for the population.

More information is available in the communiqué (French version) of the IBZ.

Last updated on 15/07/2009