IOSAT Potassium Iodide / Iodine has skyrocketed in price since the Japanese nuclear meltdown tragedy. There have been some reports that there could be shortages of Potassium Iodide in the US. I'm not sure if this is true, but steep upward incline in IOSAT Potassium Iodide is staggering. Many families simply can't afford to pay so much money.
Are there cheaper alternatives to IOSAT?
Shop, and / or buy cheaper alternatives than IOSAT Potassium Iodide / Iodine Tablets
IOSAT Potassium Iodide is the only FDA approved drug that is available to the public to block radiation and radioactive iodine from being absorbed into the thyroid. Radioactive iodine is highly cancerous. In the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, people who received Potassium Iodide had far fewer incidences of thyroid cancer in the years following the incident.
IOSAT is what is distributed to nuclear facilites, to soldiers, and supposed to be issued to citizens during times of nuclear fallout disasters. How long it would take the government to have them issued is another issue altogether.
You can order cheaper alternatives than IOSAT. Is it as effective? I'm not sure anybody can answer that right now because, IOSAT is a drug that is regulated by the FDA. All of the alternatives are sold as "supplements" and are not monitered or regulated. The alternatives are much cheaper (some only cost around 7 dollars), and may be more feasible for families. You can buy Potassium Iodide (Iodine) drops, tablets, capsules, and pills.
Another cheaper alternative to IOSAT is Kelp Iodine tablets. Kelp is very high in iodine and this may provide significant benefits. I am not a doctor, but I do know that 10 dollars is a much cheaper alternative than what IOSAT is selling for.
It has been reported on television that iodized salt will not help if you are exposed to radiation. Kelp tablets, iodine drops and tablets that are sold as a "supplement" may be the cheapest alternative to IOSAT Iodide tablets.