The Romanian Minister of Health Alexandru Rafila today called on Romanians under 40 to go to their family doctors or pharmacies "as soon as possible" to get potassium iodide tablets.

"I appeal to everyone, everyone under the age of 40, to contact a family doctor as soon as possible, from whom they can get a prescription for potassium iodide tablets," Rafila said today in response to a journalist's question.

The minister added that there are 2500 pharmacies across the country where those tablets are available that people can get for free with a prescription.

He pointed out that with the deterioration of the situation in Ukraine, it is possible that the demand for such tablets will increase.

The statement of the Romanian Minister of Health comes after the Russian forces again shelled the "Zaporozhye" nuclear power plant in neighboring Ukraine yesterday.

Potassium iodide tablets are recommended as the first health measure to be taken within the first 24 hours of radiation exposure.