Johnson & Johnson Wades Into Death Penalty Debate For First Time

[question everything]

Source: WSJ

A Johnson & Johnson company opposes plans by Florida authorities to use a drug it developed but no longer makes in a coming execution, marking the first time the world’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturer has waded into the death-penalty debate.

Earlier this year, Florida amended its lethal-injection protocol to include etomidate, an anesthetic agent that has never been used in executions, after exhausting its supply of the sedative midazolam.

Florida authorities are slated to use the updated protocol for the first time Thursday in the execution of Mark Asay, who was sentenced to death for the 1987 killings of Robert Lee Booker and Robert McDowell in Jacksonville, Fla.

Scientists at Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Pharmaceuticals NV created etomidate in the 1960s. The company never distributed the drug in North America and divested the rest of the business in 2016.

But the company Monday protested Florida’s plan to use etomidate to render death-row inmates unconscious before injecting them with a paralytic agent and a third drug to stop their hearts.

“We do not support the use of our medicines for indications that have not been approved by regulatory authorities,” a Janssen spokesman said in an email. “We do not condone the use of our medicines in lethal injections for capital punishment.”


Read more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/johnson-johnson-wades-into-death-penalty-debate-for-first-time-1503349937?tesla=y

[burrowowl]

1. Interesting!!!!

[BigmanPigman]

2. Maybe they should just give them some of their talcum powder.

[Orrex]

4. That's disgusting

I mean, I was going to post that, but that I see that you beat me to it?

Disgusting!

[SergeStorms]

3. Florida does love their executions.

They'll start hitting those to be executed in the head with a mallet before this is finished. Maybe they'll bring "Old Sparky" out of retirement, just for those Floridians who have a sentimental streak for their executions.

The only way executions will stop in Florida is if global warming turns the state into a giant sand bar. I used to own property in the center of the state, about an hour south of Orlando. I should have kept it, it'll be beach front property soon.

[question everything]

5. I remember in the 90s, when the two Bush boys were governors

with the highest rate of executions: Texas and Florida.

And I wondered how Barbara Bush liked it. Whether they were proud on how they raised their sons.

Silly, I know.

[SergeStorms]

7. Not silly at all.

The Bushs being "good christians" and all.

[Doug the Dem]

6. Let Ohio Lead the Way

[SergeStorms]

8. You had me there for a second!

Then I noticed "The Onion" logo before I watched to the piece.