Two pharmaceutical companies have joined a legal bid to prevent their drugs from being used to execute seven US prison inmates in the space of 11 days.
In a court filing, Fresenius Kabi USA and West-Ward Pharmaceuticals said they object to their products being used by the state of Arkansas for lethal injections as it "runs counter to the manufacturers' mission to save and enhance patients' lives".
They added that the use of their drugs "carries with it not only a public health risk, but also reputational, fiscal and legal risks".
The unprecedented schedule of executions was announced after Arkansas prison officials acquired a supply of potassium chloride, adding to the stock of midazolam they currently have.
The two drugs are part of the three used in lethal injection executions in the US.
Fresenius Kabi said it believes it manufactured the potassium chloride, while West-Ward is believed to have made the state's supply of midazolam.
However, both companies say they have put strict controls on supplies and do not know how their products were purchased by officials.
"We can only conclude Arkansas may have acquired this product from an unauthorised seller," a Fresenius Kabi spokesperson said.
"Pharmaceuticals obtained in this manner are at risk of adulteration or chemical change due to improper handling such as failure to maintain proper temperature levels during storage and transport."
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