Menu
15/04/2011
Lethal Injection Drug Exports Halted
The Government will introduce additional controls on the export to the US of drugs used in lethal injections and is calling on the EU to follow its lead.
Measures will be put in place to stop the export to the US of three drugs - pancuronium bromide, potassium chloride and sodium pentobarbital.
The move builds on the Government's previous action in placing an emergency export control on sodium thiopental.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said: "We oppose the death penalty in all circumstances and are clear that British drugs should not be used to carry out lethal injections. That is why we introduced a control on sodium thiopental last year - the first of its kind in the world. And it is also why we are now controlling the export of the other drugs used in lethal injection in the US.
“Because of the importance and urgency of the situation this is an issue on which we felt we had to take the lead. But we are also urging our European partners to follow suit so that this control can work effectively across Europe. We have therefore written to the EU Commission calling on them to apply this control on an EU-wide basis."
The necessary order to extend the controls will be laid before Parliament in the coming days.
The Government urgently considered the case for extending export controls to cover the other drugs following a request from the campaigning group Reprieve. The group were concerned that the US may look to source these drugs from the UK.
Having consulted UK suppliers of these drugs and other interested parties, the Government is satisfied that legitimate medical trade will not be hampered by the decision.
(BMcN/GK)
Measures will be put in place to stop the export to the US of three drugs - pancuronium bromide, potassium chloride and sodium pentobarbital.
The move builds on the Government's previous action in placing an emergency export control on sodium thiopental.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said: "We oppose the death penalty in all circumstances and are clear that British drugs should not be used to carry out lethal injections. That is why we introduced a control on sodium thiopental last year - the first of its kind in the world. And it is also why we are now controlling the export of the other drugs used in lethal injection in the US.
“Because of the importance and urgency of the situation this is an issue on which we felt we had to take the lead. But we are also urging our European partners to follow suit so that this control can work effectively across Europe. We have therefore written to the EU Commission calling on them to apply this control on an EU-wide basis."
The necessary order to extend the controls will be laid before Parliament in the coming days.
The Government urgently considered the case for extending export controls to cover the other drugs following a request from the campaigning group Reprieve. The group were concerned that the US may look to source these drugs from the UK.
Having consulted UK suppliers of these drugs and other interested parties, the Government is satisfied that legitimate medical trade will not be hampered by the decision.
(BMcN/GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 September 2015
Further Six Arrested In No Deal Operation In Birmingham
A further six people have been arrested as part of an ongoing operation targeting suspected drug dealers in Birmingham. Police carried out a series of dawn raids on Thursday 24 September, arresting a 17-year-old man, two 19-year-olds and three men aged 21, 26 and 47.
Further Six Arrested In No Deal Operation In Birmingham
A further six people have been arrested as part of an ongoing operation targeting suspected drug dealers in Birmingham. Police carried out a series of dawn raids on Thursday 24 September, arresting a 17-year-old man, two 19-year-olds and three men aged 21, 26 and 47.
17 October 2003
54 arrested in swoop on suspected drug dealers
Sellers of the Big Issue were among 54 people arrested by Merseyside Police today in a crackdown on drug dealing in Liverpool city centre. Operation Manton targeted suspected drug dealers and drug users and 50 men and four women were arrested following a 15-month long investigation by Merseyside Police into drug dealing on the city's streets.
54 arrested in swoop on suspected drug dealers
Sellers of the Big Issue were among 54 people arrested by Merseyside Police today in a crackdown on drug dealing in Liverpool city centre. Operation Manton targeted suspected drug dealers and drug users and 50 men and four women were arrested following a 15-month long investigation by Merseyside Police into drug dealing on the city's streets.
23 July 2008
Drug Abuse Accounts For 'A Third Of Death', Says Report
Drug abuse accounts for a third of the deaths behind Scotland's higher mortality rate, according to a study published on bmj.com. Death rates in Scotland are higher than in England and Wales and the difference between the nations is increasing. Traditionally this has been blamed on the higher levels of deprivation in Scotland.
Drug Abuse Accounts For 'A Third Of Death', Says Report
Drug abuse accounts for a third of the deaths behind Scotland's higher mortality rate, according to a study published on bmj.com. Death rates in Scotland are higher than in England and Wales and the difference between the nations is increasing. Traditionally this has been blamed on the higher levels of deprivation in Scotland.
23 May 2006
Panel supports drug 'shooting galleries'
Drug consumption rooms should be given a trial in Britain, a panel of experts has said.
Panel supports drug 'shooting galleries'
Drug consumption rooms should be given a trial in Britain, a panel of experts has said.
06 October 2009
Drugs Misuse 'Too Great To Ignore'
Reducing the number of problem drug misusers and disrupting the illicit drugs market can bring huge social and economic benefits to Scotland, Minister for Community Safety Fergus Ewing said today.
Drugs Misuse 'Too Great To Ignore'
Reducing the number of problem drug misusers and disrupting the illicit drugs market can bring huge social and economic benefits to Scotland, Minister for Community Safety Fergus Ewing said today.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A very mild, but mostly cloudy day, although with some bright or sunny spells. It will be mostly dry in the morning, but a little patchy light rain or drizzle at times in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A band of heavier rain will move east during the evening before clearing eastwards after midnight. then mostly dry through the early hours, but a little rain towards dawn. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
