When government agencies turn to unregulated drug sources: Implications for the drug supply chain and public health are grave

By purchasing medicines from non-FDA-approved suppliers and enacting lethal injection sourcing secrecy laws, states are undermining the robust enforcement of chain of custody and pharmaceutical supply chain transparency. The secrecy surrounding the execution drug procurement risks creating illicit supply channels. Once an illicit supply channel is established with a supplier, it creates risks that other drug products move through it, particularly in a context where the FDA, Drug Enforcement Agency, and state boards of pharmacy are prevented from performing their usual regulatory duties. Lawmakers have the obligation and authority to step in and close this regulatory gap to promote public health and safety.