USA - FDA sued over drug used in executions

FDA sued over drug used in executions. Attorneys for 6 inmates on death row in 3 states sued the Food and Drug Administration, claiming the agency has knowingly allowed the import of an unapproved drug used in executions. The lawsuit was filed in a Washington DC federal court. The attorneys urged a judge to block shipments of sodium thiopental. The FDA had announced last month that it would permit prison officials to import thiopental after Hospira Inc, the lone US manufacturer of the drug had announced it would no longer make the drug. The federal agency had however said it would not vouch for the safety and purity of the imported thiopental. The lawsuit claims the FDA is neglecting its duty to inspect shipments of sodium thiopental. "The FDA is improperly allowing drugs into the United States even though it won't stand behind their safety and efficacy," said Bradford Berenson, counsel to the 6 inmates. A former associate counsel to President George W. Bush, Mr. Berenson said he has "never had a moral problem with the death penalty." Thiopental, he said, serves a critical role in executions of rendering condemned inmates unconscious, so that they do not suffer severe pain during the process. "What we are trying to prevent with the suit are inhumane executions," he said. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Arizona inmates Donald Beaty, Daniel Cook and Eric King and death row prisoners from Tennessee and California. The FDA did not immediately respond to requests for comment.