Pfizer agreed on Friday to tighten distribution of its medicines so they are not used in lethal injections, a move that eliminates the last legitimate source of drugs for prison executions in the United States.
More than two dozen drug makers in the United States and Europe had previously adopted such a policy, either for moral reasons or, in some cases, due to pressure from investors. But the Pfizer move, which was first reported by the New York Times, means that prison officials will have to find other means to obtain medicines for lethal injections.
“We can now say that all FDA-approved suppliers [of such drugs] have taken steps to prevent misuse of their medicines for executions,” said Maya Foa, who heads the Death Penalty project at Reprieve, an advocacy group in the United Kingdom, and who is also a consultant to Pfizer on the issue of lethal injections. “I think the message from industry is clear now and their wishes will be heeded.”
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What about the drugs used for so-called mercy killings? Will they still be available, and, if so, what would prevent their use in executions, or in executions masquerading as mercy killings?
In Oregon your doctor can get you a scrip for seconal for assisted suicide since Nembutal is in short supply.
The intellectual level of most comments here is abysmal. But what to expect in the land of Tronald Dumb?
So, just to be straight. If you are morally opposed to gay marriage, it is ILLEGAL to refuse to make a gay marriage wedding cake. But, if you’re morally opposed to capitol punishment, it is perfectly fine to refuse to do business with the government for lethal injection. You libs really need to clarify your position. How will we ever know when it’s okay to refuse to do business with someone we feel is against our morals? Oh wait, I know, I’ll just check with Debbie Wasserman-Schultz next time I need to express what my morals ARE. She’ll know. (sarcasm)
Even the cons are fed up with old Debbie, asking for Old Sparky instead of waiting around for the politicians to decide.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2015/10/23/florida-inmate-asks-to-be-executed-by-electric-chair-rather-than-lethal-injection/
Can this be an answer to our prayers? Finally? Thank you Pfizer!
Sorry, Fran, the states aren’t that dumb. As you can see from this graphic every state that employs lethal injection has a backup method for situations just like this.
https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=state+by+state+methods+of+capital+punishment+table&view=detailv2&qpvt=state+by+state+methods+of+capital+punishment+table&id=8C57EB7AC31667CFB5FB29DDDAF68251978BE9FF&selectedIndex=0&ccid=NM%2bwmkp0&simid=608026593970686893&thid=OIP.M34cfb09a4a74f3498df280097808d9d2H0&ajaxhist=0
meant to say “a number” of states. Oklahoma is looking into use of Nitrogen gas as an alternative, BTW. This is the irony of the pharmaceutical business. Years ago, to save money Big Pharma set up manufacturing plants ex US to save money. Even to the extent that it became the main source of revenue for Puerto Rico, and the bankruptcy happening now was triggered when pharma companies lost their tax breaks for manufacturing there. The same companies now have the leverage to restrict imports of these drugs. My concern is shortage of drugs that have legitimate uses. For example Missouri had to halt lethal injection by Diprivan because of export refusal by the manufacturer. Now there could be potential shortages of this widely used anesthetic with legitimate uses in medicine.
None of these drugs are money makers for PFE anyway. It’s also no sweat for prisons as every one of these medicines can be obtained generically. Better PFE should do something about Viagra being dispensed in prison to gangstas rendered impotent from steroid abuse.
http://www.shortnews.com/start.cfm?id=35096