Your pharmacist friend probably knows SSKI's no longer a drug of choice for an expectorant anymore by now himself. Just because it isn't doesn't mean there aren't docs and resp techs still using it these days. Naturopaths and other loonies without any sense love to push the stuff, which people can get without a script at compounding pharmacies. That just confirms they don't read or stay up with the latest info. SSKI's risky for patients with heart conditions. Anyone who has a chest full of mucus is essentially putting some strain on his heart to begin with. It also has tons of other medicine interactions and troubling potential side effects. Now it's best left to the thyroid folks. To people who've got radiation exposure. To those who have a better reason to load themselves with potassium and iodine than crud in the lungs.
SSKI - Drugs & Vitamins - Drug Library - DrugDigest