There are 20 medicines that are or have been sought by US states for use in lethal injection executions. These medicines are made by healthcare companies who develop and make medicines to save and improve the lives and health of patients. The companies do not approve of the misuse of medicines in lethal injections (see Industry Position) and have put distribution controls in place to protect their medicines and ensure they are sold exclusively for legitimate medical use.
Every FDA-approved manufacturer of listed execution drugs has strict controls in place to prevent Departments of Corrections from diverting their products for misuse in lethal injection executions.
Below is a summary of the medicines which are or have been listed in US state lethal injection protocols, or have been mooted by US states for use in executions, as well as their manufacturers, and the controls that are in place to protect these medicines from misuse.
For legitimate medical use only
(control systems implemented)
Manufactured by Aurobindo Pharma Ltd. for AuroMedics Pharma LLC
Manufactured by Gland Pharma Ltd. for Sandoz Inc.
Somerset Therapeutics LLC
Manufactured by Jiangsu Hengrui, distributed by eVenus and marketed by Teva
Manufactured by Beloteca Inc. for DASH Pharmaceuticals
Hikma Pharmaceuticals LLC.
Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Inc.
Manufactured by Gland Pharma Ltd. for Athenex Inc.
Hikma Pharmaceuticals LLC.
Hikma Pharmaceuticals LLC.
Hikma Pharmaceuticals LLC.
Manufactured by Barr Pharma for Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Inc.
Manufactured by Aurobindo Pharma Ltd. for AuroMedics Pharma LLC
Hikma Pharmaceuticals LLC.
Manufactured by Gland Pharma Ltd. for Alvogen Inc.
Manufactured by Gland Pharma Ltd. for Athenex Inc.
Manufactured by Fresenius Kabi AG for BD Medical & APP Pharma Inc.
Manufactured by Gland Pharma Ltd. for Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Hikma Pharmaceuticals LLC.
Manufactured by Akorn Inc. for Oak Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Custopharm Inc. / Leucadia Pharmaceuticals
Sagent Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Hikma Pharmaceuticals LLC.
Exela Pharma Sciences LLC.
Manufactured by Fresenius Kabi AG for APP Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Manufactured by Corden Pharma GmbH for Fresenius Kabi AG.
Sagent Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Manufactured by Corden Pharma GmbH for Teva Pharma Industries Inc.
Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd.
Manufactured by Aurobindo Pharma Ltd. for AuroMedics Pharma LLC
Manufactured by Gland Pharma Ltd. for Athenex Inc.
Hikma Pharmaceuticals LLC.
Manufactured by Gland Pharma Ltd. for Viatris Inc.
Sagent Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Manufactured by Tamarang for X-Gen Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Manufactured by Aurobindo Pharma Ltd. for AuroMedics Pharma LLC
Manufactured by Gland Pharma Ltd. for Fresenius Kabi AG
Hikma Pharmaceuticals LLC.
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
Drug not federally approved and unavailable for purchase in the US.