Company bans sale of its drug propofol for the purpose of lethal injections

One of the world’s biggest makers of the anaesthetic propofol has barred its sale for the purpose of lethal injections, as US states that still have the death penalty face growing problems obtaining drugs for executions.

Fresenius Kabi USA has written to healthcare providers to tell them that its propofol would be supplied only to an approved list of selected wholesalers and distributors who agreed not to sell it on to any correctional facilities or even to retail pharmacies or other distributors.

The ban followed a decision …