"Pfizer blocks drug sales to executioners," 13 May 2016

…Pfizer confirmed its opposition to the misuse of its medicines in American executions and its commitment to block all sales for that purpose. This is a critical turning point in the history of capital punishment in America…Pfizer’s announcement cements the mainstream pharmaceutical industry position on lethal injection executions. It reflects widespread unease about the procedure, and raises fundamental questions about the administration of the death penalty in America. Pfizer’s investors played a role in its decision. One major shareholder – the New York State’s pension fund…has repeatedly raised fiscal and legal concerns following ‘botched’ procedures...Maya Foa, Director at Reprieve, said: “Pfizer’s new policy is exemplary…Pfizer is protecting its products, its brand and its shareholders…Instead of passing secrecy laws intended to undermine the safeguards put in place by these companies, executing states should respect the legitimate commercial interests of the pharmaceutical industry and agree to stop misusing their medicines in lethal injection executions.”