Sodium Thiopental is an anaesthetic that is used to render condemned prisoners unconscious shortly before their death. It is used in 35 of the 50 US states, usually as the first of three drugs in the lethal injection process. One dose of the drug for this use is 1.5 grams. Pancuronium Bromide then paralyses the condemned person's muscles and stops their breathing, while Potassium Chloride stops the heart. Two states, Ohio and Washington, have carried out executions by injecting just sodium thiopental in a 5-gram dose.

The drug is produced by just one pharmaceutical company, Illinois-based Hospira. It says production problems in sourcing raw materials mean none will be available until at least January. Across the country 17 lethal injections are scheduled before then. Other states about to run out include California, Kentucky and Arizona.

Alternative drugs are not an option for many states as their execution methods were established following lengthy court proceedings. Using a different drug would lead to appeals by prisoners.         Add Comments>>