Senate Weighs Bill To Shield Execution Drugmaker

The Ohio Senate is considering a bill that would shield the names of companies providing lethal injection drugs to the state for at least two decades. The measure requires a drugmaker to specifically ask for anonymity, rather than receive it automatically, under an agreement that would allow release of the company's name 20 years after it last provides drugs to the state. Republic Rep. Jim Buchy of Greenville in western Ohio is one of the bill sponsors. He told the Senate Criminal Justice Committee on Tuesday that Ohio has run out of options for buying drugs for injections. The anonymity is aimed at so-called compounding pharmacies that mix doses of specialty drugs. Opponents say the public has the right to know the drugs' source. More hearings are planned Thursday.