As many of you know, there is a wide consensus in most of Europe that the death penalty is cruel and unusual punishment. That sentiment may result in executions here in the States being delayed. The issue? One of the drugs in the lethal-injection cocktail is sodium thiopental. While it is widely used outside of executions as an anesthetic, the prospect of it being used in executions in the States has several European countries up in arms.
This past weekend, Hospira, the only American company that makes sodium thiopental, announced it will no longer make the drug. The reason? It wanted to move production to a plant in Italy, but Italian authorities let it be known that Hospira would face legal action if it was used in executions.
Hours later, the German supply line dried up. The three German companies that make the drug all said they will not honor any American orders out of concern it could end up being used in executions.
This comes on the heels of the UK banning exports of the drug for use in capital punishment back in November.
Inevitably, people are going to complain about other countries interfering in our affairs. I say it's par for the course--after all, it's taken international pressure in other instances for other countries to change their ways. Why not now?