Short answer. In Romania, potassium iodide 65 mg tablets are prescription-only medicines (PRF) 345. In 2022 the Ministry of Health handed them out free through listed pharmacies, on a family doctor's prescription, to people under 40 1. Take them only on the authorities' instructions after a nuclear incident, as a single dose within 6 hours of the announcement 12.
One point is not confirmed: whether the free 2022 scheme still runs after 31 December 2025. See "Is the free scheme still running?" below.
Can I buy potassium iodide over the counter in Romania?
No. The national medicines nomenclator lists three 65 mg potassium iodide tablets, from Antibiotice (Atb), G.L. Pharma and SERB, and classifies every pack as PRF, dispensed on medical prescription 3. The approved labelling reads: "Medicament eliberat pe bază de prescripţie medicală - PRF." 45
How did the 2022 distribution work?
Health Ministry Order no. 1,648/2022 (Monitorul Oficial no. 618 of 23 June 2022) set the rules 1:
- the family doctor issues a one-time prescription;
- listed community pharmacies dispense the tablets free of charge, only against the original prescription;
- people without a family doctor can go to any family doctor and sign a declaration 1.
The target population was people under 40 years of age 1.
As far as we can read, eligibility was nationwide: the ministry PDF gives articles 3 to 15 and the annexes, and none of them limits eligibility by zone 1. Articles 1 and 2, which contain the pharmacy list, are not in that PDF.
When should the tablets be taken?
Only when the authorities say so. The order states: "Iodura de potasiu de 65 mg se va administra numai la indicațiile autorităților și doar în caz de eveniment sau incident nuclear!" (potassium iodide 65 mg is to be taken only on the authorities' instructions and only in the event of a nuclear event or incident) 1.
The dose is a single dose within the first 6 hours after the authorities' announcement; it protects for up to 24 hours 12. Listen to radio and TV and watch for RO-ALERT messages: see alerts in Romania.
What is the dose by age?
From the 2022 order 1, matching the approved labelling 4:
| Group | Dose |
|---|---|
| Adults and children over 12 | 2 tablets (100 mg iodine) |
| Children 3-12 years | 1 tablet (50 mg iodine) |
| Children 1 month - 3 years | 1/2 tablet (25 mg iodine) |
| Newborns up to 1 month | 1/4 tablet (12.5 mg iodine) |
The labelling adds that pregnant and breastfeeding women take 2 tablets, and that newborns, pregnant or breastfeeding women and people over 60 must not take more than one dose 4.
For what to do in a nuclear accident, read the DSU nuclear accident guide 2 and our potassium iodide guide.
Is the free scheme still running?
Not confirmed. Press reports mention a later Order no. 5,116/2024 that let pharmacies keep undistributed tablets until 31 December 2025. We could not read that order or find any 2026 update, and the Ministry of Health campaign page returned an error when we checked. Contact your family doctor, or the Ministry of Health (ms.ro), for the current situation.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a prescription for potassium iodide in Romania?
Yes. All 65 mg potassium iodide tablets in the national nomenclator are prescription-only (PRF) 3.
Who could get free iodine tablets in Romania?
Under the 2022 order, people under 40, on a one-time prescription from a family doctor, at listed pharmacies 1.
Should I take iodine as soon as I hear about a nuclear accident?
No. Only on the authorities' instructions, as a single dose within the first 6 hours of their announcement 1.
How many tablets does an adult take?
Two 65 mg tablets (100 mg iodine) for adults and children over 12, as a single dose 1.
Where do I learn more about nuclear accidents?
DSU's nuclear accident guide on fiipregatit.ro 2, and our guide on nuclear plant zones.
Sources
- Ministerul Sănătății — Ordin nr. 1.648/2022 privind modalitatea de distribuire a medicamentului iodură de potasiu 65 mg comprimate către populație (Monitorul Oficial nr. 618/23.VI.2022) — https://management-documente.ms.ro/media/documents/Ordin_privind_modalitatea_de_distribuire_a_medicamentului_iodura_de_potasiu.pdf (accessed 2026-10-21)
- Departamentul pentru Situații de Urgență (fiipregatit.ro) — Accident Nuclear (ghid) — https://fiipregatit.ro/ghiduri/accident-nuclear-5 (accessed 2026-10-21)
- ANMDMR — Nomenclatorul medicamentelor de uz uman (search: iodură de potasiu, DCI KALII IODIDUM) — https://nomenclator.anm.ro/medicamente (accessed 2026-10-21)
- ANMDMR — Informații privind etichetarea: Iodură de potasiu G.L. Pharma 65 mg comprimate (APP 8898/2016) — https://www.anm.ro/_/_AMB/AMB_8898_27.04.16.pdf (accessed 2026-10-21)
- ANMDMR — Informații privind etichetarea: Iodură de potasiu Atb 65 mg comprimate (APP 12347/2019) — https://www.anm.ro/_/_AMB/AMB_12347_30.08.19.pdf (accessed 2026-10-21)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Romania, 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
- Ministerul Sănătății · Ordin nr. 1.648/2022 privind modalitatea de distribuire a medicamentului iodură de potasiu 65 mg comprimate către populație (Monitorul Oficial nr. 618/23.VI.2022) checked 2026-10-21
- Departamentul pentru Situații de Urgență (fiipregatit.ro) · Accident Nuclear (ghid) checked 2026-10-21
- Agenția Națională a Medicamentului și a Dispozitivelor Medicale din România (ANMDMR) · Nomenclatorul medicamentelor de uz uman (search: iodură de potasiu, DCI KALII IODIDUM) checked 2026-10-21
- ANMDMR · Informații privind etichetarea: Iodură de potasiu G.L. Pharma 65 mg comprimate (APP 8898/2016) checked 2026-10-21
- ANMDMR · Informații privind etichetarea: Iodură de potasiu Atb 65 mg comprimate (APP 12347/2019) checked 2026-10-21