Pharmaceutical Giant Just Declared War on the Death Penalty

Michaela Whitton (AM) : U.S. firm Pfizer officially withdrew from the lethal injection trade last Friday, announcing it will no longer supply medicines for use in death row executions. The global giant announced its commitment to block all sales for that purpose in a move reflecting growing opposition to the death penalty in the U.S.

lethal-injection“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 company statement reads.

Fewer states sentence people to death now, and those that still do are doing so less often. In total, 19 states have abolished the primitive act, and it’s no secret the European-led boycott of medical drugs — used by U.S. corrections departments to execute prisoners — has had a startling impact. In 2013, reports concluded the number of executions were at an all-time low. During the same year, U.K.-based drug company, Hikma, stopped selling phenobarbital to Arkansas, as the state planned to use it to administer the death penalty.

Pfizer’s decision is considered a victory for activists at Reprieve, but the move by Pfizer is also being hailed as a turning point in the history of U.S. capital punishment. Reprieve’s Stop Lethal Injection Project helps manufacturers, investors, and regulators prevent misuse of the medicines. According to the group, Pfizer’s announcement makes it the 25th global pharmaceutical companiy to have taken action to prevent their products from being used in executions. Pfizer’s stand means all FDA-approved manufacturers have spoken out against the use of their medicines in lethal injections.

While opponents of the death penalty, like Reprieve, are undoubtedly delighted at the victory, as the Guardian reports, it is impossible to say what the precise impact will be. It adds that for years, state prisons have resorted to “desperate and questionable” measures to replenish their supplies — aided by lawmakers who turn a blind eye and allow officials to cloak the process in secrecy.

Director of Reprieve, Maya Foa, said: “Instead of passing secrecy laws intended to undermine the safeguards put in place by these companies, executing states should respect the legitimate commercial interests of the pharmaceutical industry and agree to stop misusing their medicines in lethal injection executions.”

While many celebrate the great news of another clamp down by a global giant no longer prepared to support the barbaric practice, many are left wondering what alternatives will be used. Meanwhile, others will continue campaigning for the cruel, degrading, and inhumane practice to be abolished altogether.

Michaela Whitton, The AnntiMedia

Related article:

Ohio execution shows lethal injections are based on guesswork

Source Article from http://nsnbc.me/2016/05/19/pharmaceutical-giant-just-declared-war-on-the-death-penalty/

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