Two pharmaceutical companies objected to legislative efforts to expand the secrecy surrounding the source of Arkansas’ lethal injection drugs, saying the proposal would hamper their ability to ensure their products aren’t being used for executions. Officials with Hikma Pharmaceuticals and Fresenius Kabi USA sent letters last month to lawmakers and the governor raising concerns about a bill that would prohibit the state from releasing information that could directly or indirectly identify the makers or suppliers of its lethal injection drugs. Arkansas doesn’t have any executions scheduled, and its supply of lethal injection drugs has expired. Prison officials have said they won’t search for replacements until the state’s execution secrecy law is expanded to include the drugs’ manufacturers. Both companies oppose the use of their drugs in executions, and have put controls in place to ensure they’re not used for capital punishment. “We are deeply concerned with eff...
Striving for a World without Capital Punishment