"Missouri's lethal injection procedure to continue with limited propofol supply," is the AP report by Alan Scher Zagier. It's via the Columbia Missourian.
Missouri will move ahead with two planned executions despite efforts in Europe to block a common anesthetic from being used in the procedure, Gov. Jay Nixon said Monday.German company Fresenius Kabi produces almost the entire supply of propofol, but the European Union is considering possible export limits as part of its anti-capital punishment policies. Missouri has enough to carry out its next two executions and one more, the first scheduled for later this month, but Nixon declined to say what the state would do if it is unable to get more propofol. The drug made headlines in 2009 when pop star Michael Jackson died of an overdose. The Missouri executions would be the first to use propofol.
Nixon said state and federal court systems, not European politicians, will decide death penalty policy in Missouri.
"A number of courts have already had an opportunity to review this matter," Nixon also said, referring to broader legal challenges to the death penalty. "We're going to continue to monitor it very closely. At this point, there's no stay in effect."
On Friday, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against the Missouri Department of Corrections, alleging the agency failed to comply with open records requests related to its planned use of propofol in executions.
The Missouri Society of Anesthesiologists has also urged the state to reconsider using propofol, warning that Missouri "is on the verge of triggering a national drug shortage that will have a severe impact on the general welfare of the citizens of our state and our country." The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has also expressed concern about any move that would limit access to the drug. A lawsuit filed against the state by 21 death-row inmates after the new protocol was announced remains pending
"Mo. Society of Anesthesiologists Opposes Use of Propofol in Executions," is by KMOX-AM News.
Dr. Donald Arnold is a board member of the Missouri Society of Anesthesiologists, whose group has urged the state to reconsider using propofol.
“Accordingly, we strongly oppose the Missouri Department of Corrections use of propofol in lethal injections due to the immediate impact it could have on our ability to safely administer anesthesia during surgery,” he said.
The Missouri Supreme Court has set a date of October 23 for the execution of Allen Nicklasson and a date of November 20 for the execution of Joseph Franklin.
Dr. Arnold says his group’s opposition to the use of the drug in executions has nothing to do with the death penalty itself. “From our perspective, the debate is not about capital punishment. Our position, first and foremost, is that we’re here to care for patients,” he said.
Earlier coverage of Missouri lethal injection issues begins at the link.
Related posts are in the international and lethal injection indexes.
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