Marshfield: Officials say Potassium Iodide pills used in case of nuclear explosion are extremely expensive

Local health officials say Potassium Iodide pills that have been given to communities within a 10-mile radius of the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant in Plymouth, to be used in the event of a nuclear emergency, would be extremely expensive for individual residents to purchase.  

Potassium Iodide protects the thyroid gland if a person has been exposed to radiation.  

The Chairman of the Marshfield Board of Health, Doctor Gerald Maher, says Marshfield has one pill available for each resident; and the town received the pills from the state at no charge.  

A survey by WATD Radio of three local pharmacies in Marshfield – CVS, RiteAid, and Walgreens – determined that none of the stores had any of the pills in stock.

A spokesperson for the Walgreens in Marshfield said that an attempt was once made to obtain the pills for a customer, but the cost for just 14 tablets was $3,000.  

Town officials in Marshfield said that the Potassium Iodide pills are in stock at each of the town’s schools for teachers and students. 

Doctor Maher also noted that each tablet is good for a 24-hour period.

For more information, log onto the Town of Marshfield website: townofmarshfield.org. Then go to the Board of Health page.