Can I take straight Potassium Iodide mixed with water if tablets are unavailable?

On Friday I went with a caravan of 4 trucks through Tokyo right past Fukushima and on to Sendai with relief supplies. A M.D. in our congregation provide each of the 6 of us who went with what he said may be the last bit ot KI in the prefecture. He, or perhaps the pharmacist at his hospital, had carefully weighed out 6 doses of crystalline KI into individual packets. We each downed the salt with water, just before entering Fukushima prefecture. No one suffered any side effects. The facts sheet accompanying the medicine indicated that maximum effectiveness is for 3 hours, with continued significant protection over 3 days.

Good information - The key is that it was recommended by a medical professional, compounded by the pharmacist, and used in an appropriate situation.

I have a feeling that more likely than not, people are freaking out in North American and are trying to get a hold of potassium iodide. I don't think this is fair because A) they don't need it here and B) it only diminishes supplies for people that do need it.

Thank you for your help over in Japan.