The SPF Public Health will replace the strategic stock of iodine tablets dating from 2010, says the Federal Minister of Health in a written response to the Chamber. A public market on a million boxes is underway. The old lots will be destroyed once the new deliveries received.
The central stock is currently composed mainly of iodine tablets produced in 2017, the storage time of which is guaranteed until 2027. Previous lots, produced in 2010, are no longer distributed to wholesalers-reparters or pharmacies, but can still be used as a last resort. The interior SPF launched a public market in May for the acquisition of 10 million tablets. The fund for the risk of nuclear accidents of the interior SPF provides the budget necessary for the purchase, management and replacement of tablets.
An annual budget of 82,000 euros is planned for the management of tablets: storage with the Partner of the SPF Public Health, transport to pharmacies via wholesalers-reparters, and replacement of lots.
Mandatory stock in pharmacy
According to Belgian legislation, each pharmacy must keep a minimum stock of 100 g of potassium iodide. Since an agreement concluded in December 2023 with the Belgian pharmaceutical association, the Belgian office of cooperative companies of pharmaceutical wholesalers and pharmacies, the SPF Public Health and the Interior SPF, pharmacies must also have at least one package of 240 boxes, with 10 tablets per box, representing 156 g of iodine.
Preparation in an emergency
The latest national communication and predistribution campaign took place from January to April 2024. A new resilience campaign, being prepared by the national crisis center, will also address nuclear risks. The SPF Public Health brings its expertise there and ensures that care providers, including general practitioners, pharmacists, gynecologists and midwives.
Responsibilities of hospitals and communities
Hospitals are required to have their own stock of iodine tablets. This obligation is the responsibility of their management. A specific communication has also been addressed to hospital pharmacies. However, they are reminded that they should not ensure the distribution of these tablets outside their establishments.
Finally, communities located less than 20 kilometers from a nuclear site – or less than 10 kilometers for the IRE at Fleurus site – as well as those welcoming a large number of children must also have sufficient stock to cover the needs of their staff and people likely to take shelter in their premises.
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