Death Row Drug Dilemma

That's the title of a post at Nature, written by Emma Marris. It's subtitled, "Lack of anaesthetic used in lethal injection exposes ethics gaps in the supply chain."

The situation demonstrates that although pharmaceutical supply chains are global, the morals and mores of drug use are decidedly local. Will US states be forced to stop executing their death-row inmates by a drug embargo? And who decides which drugs are used to inject prisoners condemned to die? Nature explores an ethical dilemma.

And:

Did the FDA 'help' states obtain sodium thiopental?

Not according to a spokesperson — but they didn't hinder the states either. They did not interfere with the importation of the drug from the United Kingdom, despite knowing where the drug was headed. A spokesperson says: "In 2009 and 2010, FDA permitted the importation of several shipments of sodium thiopental to state Departments of Correction. In doing so, FDA deferred to law enforcement in the use of substances for lethal injection, which is consistent with the agency's long-standing policy. The agency did not conduct any review of these products for safety, effectiveness or quality."

Also:

If the FDA won't and the manufacturer can't stop a drug from being used in executions, who in the United States can?

A manufacturer can stop a drug being used for executions by ceasing to make it, although this will also affect any patients using the drug medicinally. Manufacturers sell to wholesalers, or sometimes direct to pharmacies. Then drugs are prescribed by a doctor and dispensed by a pharmacist, and it is these two professionals who ultimately bear the onus of deciding whether the use of a drug is appropriate. The American Medical Association has forbidden its members from participating in executions, so any medical professionals who order drugs for executions do so at the risk of their professional reputations (see 'Will medics' qualms kill the death penalty?').

Earlier coverage begins with a link to TPJ's latest Lobby Watch, posted earlier today; more on the FDA's role, at the link