Short answer. Around Koeberg, South Africa's only nuclear power station, potassium iodate tablets would be issued at strategic locations in an emergency, with the dose given at issue 1. The City of Cape Town stores the tablets for the 16 km Urgent Protective Action Zone 2. Potassium iodate tablets are a registered medicine 4, and iodine above 150 µg a day is Schedule 1: sold by a pharmacist without a prescription 35.
When would iodine tablets be used in South Africa?
Only in a radiological emergency at Koeberg Nuclear Power Station where radioactive iodine can be released 1. Eskom's calendar explains that the tablets "saturate the thyroid gland with stable iodine, so that no absorption of radioactive iodine will take place" 1. Its Afrikaans text adds that they protect only the thyroid and must be taken together with other protective actions such as sheltering and evacuation 1. Our guide on potassium iodide explains the general principle.
What are the Koeberg emergency zones?
| Zone | Distance from Koeberg |
|---|---|
| Precautionary Action Zone (PAZ) | 0-5 km 1 |
| Urgent Protective Action Zone (UPZ) | 0-16 km 1 |
Our guide on nuclear plant zones explains what these zones mean in general.
How are tablets distributed?
Eskom's calendar states: "The Disaster Risk Management organisation will make these tablets available and issue the tablets at strategic locations" 1. The dose is given when the tablets are issued 1. The 2026 calendar mentions no distribution of tablets to homes in advance 1.
The Integrated Koeberg Nuclear Emergency Plan adds the details 2:
- The joint decision-making team decides on public protective actions, and stable iodine is distributed on the basis of those decisions.
- The City of Cape Town determines and stores the quantity of potassium iodate needed for the UPZ. Tablets for Robben Island are held by its Safety Officer, and tablets for site staff by Eskom's Chief Medical Officer.
- The plan uses one intervention level for all age groups and gives no age-specific dose.
In an emergency, follow instructions on radio and television (see alerts).
Can I buy iodine tablets in a South African pharmacy?
From a pharmacist, without a prescription. SAHPRA's register lists "Potassium Iodate Tablets" (84.5 mg, equal to 50 mg iodine, registration no. X/34/296) as a registered medicine 4. In the consolidated schedules, oral preparations with more than 150 µg of iodine per daily dose are Schedule 1 3. Under section 22A(4) of the Medicines Act, a Schedule 1 substance is sold by a pharmacist, the sale is recorded, and it is not supplied to a child apparently under 12 without a prescription 5.
The register entry does not print the product's schedule; it is read from the schedules' iodine entry 34. Whether pharmacies actually keep the tablets in stock was not confirmed.
What else does the Koeberg plan ask?
If you are told to evacuate, you will be guided to a mass care centre where you and your belongings can be checked for possible contamination (see public shelters) 1. Evacuees take clothing, a radio, a torch, bedding, toiletries, medication, documents and a phone charger, but no food except special medical foods 1. A siren does not by itself mean you should evacuate 1. Our guide on radiation decontamination gives general background.
Frequently asked questions
Does South Africa pre-distribute iodine tablets?
The 2026 Koeberg calendar mentions no pre-distribution to homes; tablets are issued at strategic locations during an emergency 1.
Which tablet does South Africa use?
Potassium iodate 12. The registered product contains 84.5 mg, equal to 50 mg of iodine 4.
Do I need a prescription?
No, for adults: iodine preparations of this strength are Schedule 1, sold by a pharmacist 35. A child apparently under 12 needs a prescription 5.
Who decides when to take them?
The joint decision-making team decides on protective actions; disaster risk management issues the tablets and gives the dose at issue 12.
Do I need tablets if I live far from Koeberg?
The official plan covers the zones up to 16 km around Koeberg 12. No other official distribution was found.
Sources
- Eskom — 2026 Koeberg Nuclear Power Station Emergency Plan Calendar — https://www.eskom.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/141-25-Koeberg-Eskom-Calendar-2026.pdf (accessed 2026-10-21)
- Eskom (Koeberg Nuclear Power Station) — KAA-811 Rev 4: The Integrated Koeberg Nuclear Emergency Plan — https://www.eskom.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/KAA-811_REV_4.pdf (accessed 2026-10-21)
- South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) — Medicines and Related Substances Act, 1965: Consolidated Schedules, 01 August 2025 — https://www.sahpra.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Consolidated-Schedules_01-August-2025.pdf (accessed 2026-10-21)
- SAHPRA Health Product Register — Product Information: POTASSIUM IODATE TABLETS, X/34/296 — https://medapps.sahpra.org.za:6006/ (accessed 2026-10-21)
- Government of South Africa (text via FAOLEX, FAO) — Medicines and Related Substances Act 101 of 1965, section 22A — https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/saf153154.pdf (accessed 2026-10-21)
Turn this into action
Your plan for South Africa, worked out for your household.
- Water, food and equipment counted for each person and pet
- The nuclear plants and zones around your home
- Phaenyx Safe: one tap to tell your people you are safe
Sources
- Eskom · 2026 Koeberg Nuclear Power Station Emergency Plan Calendar checked 2026-10-21
- Eskom (Koeberg Nuclear Power Station) · KAA-811 Rev 4: The Integrated Koeberg Nuclear Emergency Plan checked 2026-10-21
- South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) · Medicines and Related Substances Act, 1965: Consolidated Schedules, 01 August 2025 checked 2026-10-21
- SAHPRA Health Product Register · Product Information – POTASSIUM IODATE TABLETS (registration no. X/34/296) checked 2026-10-21
- Government of South Africa (text via FAOLEX, FAO) · Medicines and Related Substances Act 101 of 1965 (updated to 1 August 2025), section 22A checked 2026-10-21