USA - Ohio. Ohio plans to change protocol because its supply of pentobarbital is about to expire

Ohio plans to use a new drug or combination of drugs for executing inmates by lethal injection because its supply of pentobarbital is about to expire, according to a court filing. Federal Judge Gregory Frost in Columbus, Ohio, disclosed the state's intentions in a court filing Monday, although the filing was not reported until Thursday. He did not say how the state would execute death row inmates. State lawyers said the new execution method would be in place by no later than Oct. 4, in time for the scheduled execution of Ronald Phillips on Nov. 14. It will not be in place in time for the scheduled execution of Harry Mitts, Jr. on Sept. 25, the judge's order said. Ohio officials have said the state will run out of pentobarbital by the end of September.