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January 24, 2011

Drug Maker Stops Production of Anesthetic in Lethal Injections 
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The U.S. death penalty system has been dealt a blow following a drug
company's decision to no longer produce an anesthetic used in most
states' lethal injections. On Friday, Illinois-based Hospira said it
would comply with an Italian government request that it not produce
sodium thiopental at its Milan-area plant. Italy does not practice
capital punishment. The decision will force states to find an
alternative drug and potentially modify regulations, a process that
could prove both lengthy and expensive.



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