USA: OHIO TO REPLACE SODIUM THIOPENTAL WITH PENTOBARBITAL

January 25, 2011: Ohio has announced it will no longer be using the known common anesthetic for lethal injection, and is switching to a drug used to euthanize pets. The Department of Rehabilitation and Correction said the reason for the change is because the supply of the drug normally used for executions, sodium thiopental, is running low. That drug was already in short supply when its only U.S. manufacturer announced last week it would no longer produce it. Instead, a single, powerful dose of pentobarbital—used by veterinarians to euthanize dogs and cats—will be administered to prisoners who face the death penalty. Currently, Oklahoma is the only other state to use pentobarbital. (Sources: FoxNews.com, Associated Press, 25/01/2011)