Gulf countries preparing for nuclear emergency: Chandigarh’s pharmaceutical company asked for capacity of 1 crore capsules, possibility of supply in many countries – Chandigarh News

Amid US-Iran tension, Gulf countries have intensified preparations to deal with a possible nuclear emergency. A Bahrain-based pharma liaison agent has contacted a Chandigarh-based pharmaceutical company seeking information about Prussian Blue capsules used in a nuclear disaster. The agent has asked the company if it is capable of producing 1 crore capsules. Apart from this, many questions have also been asked like how much dose is given for the population of different age groups and what is the production capacity. According to the company’s director Dr. Vaishali Aggarwal, talks are ongoing on this topic. At present the agent is discussing this matter with the Health Ministry of his country. If the agreement is finalized then these medicines can be supplied to Gulf countries like Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Jordan. The company is headquartered in Chandigarh, while its manufacturing unit is located in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh. Earlier, during the Israel-Iran tension in June 2025, the demand for this medicine had also come up, but after the conflict ended in 12 days, the talks could not progress further. Know how Prussian Blue works Prussian Blue is an important medicine used during a nuclear attack or radiological disaster. It reduces the effects of radioactive elements cesium-137 and thallium that have entered the body. This capsule binds with these radioactive elements in the intestines and helps in removing them from the body through stool. The World Health Organization has included it in the list of essential medicines used in radiological and nuclear emergencies. This medicine has already been manufactured in America and Europe, whereas its commercial production in India started about two years ago. This medicine is based on the technology of DRDO’s Delhi-based lab INMAS (Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences). DCGI has given license for its manufacturing and marketing to two Indian companies. In this, the Ahmedabad company has been given the responsibility of providing raw material and the Chandigarh company has been given the responsibility of production. There is also a big demand for Potassium Iodide. Bahrain’s agent has also asked for information about Potassium Iodide (KI) tablets. For this, a potential demand of about 1.2 crore tablets has been expressed. Potassium iodide is used to protect the thyroid gland from radiation in a nuclear emergency. Apart from this, it is also used in the treatment of hyperthyroidism and loosening the mucus accumulated in the lungs.



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