Short answer. Protective-dose potassium iodide (65 or 130 mg tablets) is not on Moldova's State Nomenclature of Medicines, so it is not an authorised pharmacy product 1. According to a 2022 press report of a Ministry of Health statement, over one million tablets donated by Romania are stored in public health centres. They would be released only on the order of the Commission for Exceptional Situations after a nuclear accident 2.
The sale status comes from the official medicines register. The distribution plan relies on a press report: we found no official page describing it or confirming current stocks. This page is marked for verification.
Can I buy potassium iodide in a Moldovan pharmacy?
Not as a thyroid-blocking medicine. On 21 October 2026, the State Nomenclature of Medicines kept by the Medicines and Medical Devices Agency (AMDM) listed no potassium iodide 65 mg or 130 mg tablet, and no product under ATC code V03AB21, the code for potassium iodide as an antidote 1. The only potassium iodide products listed were low-dose iodine supplements (Iodomarin 100 and 200 µg, non-prescription) and potassium iodide eye drops (prescription) 1. Those supplements do not protect the thyroid in a nuclear emergency. Our potassium iodide guide explains the difference.
Are iodine tablets handed out in advance in Moldova?
According to the 2022 press report, no: the tablets are not pre-distributed to households 2. They are kept in public health centres, pre-packed for each health centre, and released to primary health care institutions only on a decision of the Commission for Exceptional Situations (CSE) in case of a nuclear accident 2.
Where did the tablets come from?
Romania donated over one million potassium iodide tablets to Moldova in 2022, according to the same report 2. We found no official update on current stock levels.
Should I take iodine as a precaution?
No, according to the 2022 press report: the Ministry of Health said preventive intake is inadvisable 2. Take iodine only if the authorities tell you to.
What should I do in a nuclear or radiological accident?
IGSU's preparedness guide includes a section on nuclear and radiological accidents 3. Follow instructions given on radio and TV after a siren or loudspeaker warning 3; see alerts. For general background, read nuclear plant zones, the fallout 7-10 rule and radiation decontamination.
Frequently asked questions
Are the iodine tablets sold in Moldovan pharmacies the right kind?
No. The only potassium iodide tablets on the national register are 100 and 200 µg iodine supplements, far below the 65-130 mg dose used for thyroid blocking 1.
Who decides when iodine is distributed in Moldova?
The Commission for Exceptional Situations (CSE), after a nuclear accident, according to the 2022 Ministry of Health statement reported by the press 2.
Will I get tablets from my family doctor?
The plan reported in 2022 is to release tablets to primary health care institutions after an accident 2. How they then reach patients is not described in our source.
Is this information current?
The register check is from 21 October 2026 1. The distribution plan comes from a press report dated August 2022 2; we could not retrieve the ministry's own text and found no newer official page.
Sources
- Agenția Medicamentului și Dispozitivelor Medicale (AMDM) — Nomenclatorul de stat al medicamentelor (data service /api/medicaments) — https://nomenclator.amdm.gov.md/ (accessed 2026-10-21)
- TV8 (press report of a Ministry of Health statement) — Ministerul Sănătății: Pastilele de iodură de potasiu vor fi distribuite instituțiilor medicale primare doar în cazul unui eventual accident nuclear — https://tv8.md/2022/08/30/ministerul-sanatatii-pastilele-de-iodura-de-potasiu-vor-fi-distribuite-institutiilor-medicale-primare-doar-in-cazul-unui-eventual-accident-nuclear/208962 (accessed 2026-10-21)
- Inspectoratul General pentru Situații de Urgență (MAI) — Ghidul acțiunilor în situații de risc. Acțiuni în primele 72 de ore — https://igsu.gov.md/sites/default/files/media/images/preventie_documents/ghidul-actiunilor-in-situatii-de-risc.pdf (accessed 2026-10-21)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Moldova, worked out for your household.
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- The nuclear plants and zones around your home
- Phaenyx Safe: one tap to tell your people you are safe
Sources
- Agenția Medicamentului și Dispozitivelor Medicale (AMDM) · Nomenclatorul de stat al medicamentelor (data service /api/medicaments) checked 2026-10-21
- TV8 (press report of a Ministry of Health statement) · Ministerul Sănătății: Pastilele de iodură de potasiu vor fi distribuite instituțiilor medicale primare doar în cazul unui eventual accident nuclear checked 2026-10-21
- Inspectoratul General pentru Situații de Urgență (MAI) · Ghidul acțiunilor în situații de risc. Acțiuni în primele 72 de ore checked 2026-10-21