A telehealth company called Amble Health is selling a 345 dollar emergency kit marketed for nuclear disasters. The package includes iodine tablets, Prussian blue, and the anti-nausea drug Zofran. Amble claims the kit serves workers in industries like agriculture, mining, and power generation who face potential radiation exposure. The company requires a prescription for the purchase, which patients obtain through a virtual visit with a medical professional on the site.
While the company frames the kit as a necessary precaution for a dangerous world, experts warn that the price is excessive. Historians and radiation researchers note that potassium iodide, the primary component for thyroid protection during a radiological event, is available for about 13 dollars at most pharmacies. Paying a premium for the bundled kit appears to be a marketing move rather than a practical medical strategy for the average consumer.
The inclusion of Prussian blue, a prescription medication for trapping radioactive heavy metals, also draws skepticism. Experts suggest that such specialized drugs are typically meant for administration by doctors in controlled settings. Taking such medications without specific medical guidance or professional oversight in the aftermath of a catastrophe carries its own set of health risks.
Amble Health operates as a platform connecting users to clinicians for various treatments, ranging from weight-loss drugs to anti-aging supplements. The venture is led by Joey Stiver, who previously faced a federal indictment for selling medical items online. For those concerned about radiation hazards, experts suggest that buying cheap, individual iodine tablets is a reasonable step, while questioning the value of expensive, pre-packaged solutions.