Pfizer Inc., an American global pharmaceutical giant, has announced on Friday that it strongly objects to the use of its products for death penalty executions. In line with this, the New York-based company has tightened its rules on lethal injection drugs to limit unauthorized use.
Pfizer's Products Are Not For Death Penalty Executions
"Pfizer makes its products to enhance and save the lives of the patients we serve. Consistent with these values, Pfizer strongly objects to the use of its products as lethal injections for capital punishment," the pharmaceutical company said in a statement.
Pfizer indicated that it will start restricting the distribution of seven drugs used by some states for death penalty executions. These newly restricted lethal injection drugs include potassium chloride, pancuronium bromide, rocuronium bromide, vecuronium bromide, midazolam, propofol and hydromorphone.
Under Pfizer's tightened rules, sales of the seven drugs will be limited to a selected group of direct purchasers, distributors and wholesalers who must agree not to resell the products to correctional institutions for death penalty executions. Government institutions may be allowed to buy the drugs, however, they must certify that the products they purchased will not be used as lethal injection drugs.
Pfizer's Take On Lethal Injection Drugs Will Limit Death Penalty Executions
According to USA Today, Pfizer's restriction on lethal injection drugs will impede death penalty executions in all states. Lethal injection has been most favored as the most humane method for capital punishment. However, the suppliers of the drugs needed for the process have been scarce in the past years after Europe, the main source of lethal injection drugs, opposed to capital punishment.
Robert Dunham, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center, said that Pfizer's new move is an affirmation that the company does not want its products to be used for death penalty executions. "Their corporate mission to save lives and not to take lives," he added.
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