Par Pharmaceutical Companies, Inc. today issued the following statement in response to inquiries it has received regarding the potential use of Brevital® Sodium (methohexital sodium for injection, USP) by the State of Indiana Department of Correction as part of a three-drug lethal injection protocol:
Brevital® is a medically important anesthetic that physicians and hospital pharmacies have relied upon for more than 50 years. The state of Indiana’s proposed use of Brevital® is inconsistent with its medical indications as outlined in its U.S. Food and Drug Administration reviewed and approved product labeling. Brevital® is intended to be used as an anesthetic in life-sustaining procedures.
As a pharmaceutical company, Par’s mission is to help improve the quality of life. The state of Indiana’s proposed use is contrary to our mission. Par is working with its distribution partners to establish distribution controls on Brevital® to preclude wholesalers from accepting orders from departments of correction.
About Brevital® Sodium (methohexital sodium for injection, USP)
Brevital® sodium is contraindicated in patients in whom general anesthesia is contraindicated, in those with latent or manifest porphyria, or in patients with a known hypersensitivity to barbiturates. Brevital® should be used in hospital or ambulatory care settings that provide for continuous monitoring of respiratory (e.g. pulse oximetry) and cardiac function. Immediate availability of resuscitative drugs and age- and size-appropriate equipment for bag/valve/mask ventilation and intubation and personnel trained in their use and skilled in airway management should be assured. For deeply sedated patients, a designated individual other than the practitioner performing the procedure should be present to continuously monitor the patient.
About Par Pharmaceutical Companies, Inc.
Par Pharmaceutical Companies, Inc. is a privately held, U.S.-based specialty pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and markets high barrier-to-entry generic drugs and niche, innovative proprietary pharmaceuticals through its wholly-owned subsidiary’s two operating divisions, Par Pharmaceutical and Strativa Pharmaceuticals. For press release and other company information, visit www.parpharm.com.
