FDA Agrees To Hear From Texas, Arizona On Seized Execution Drugs

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HOUSTON (AP) - The federal government has agreed to hear arguments from Texas and Arizona prison officials after agents seized drugs that both states were trying to import for use in executions.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Monday that it would evaluate the states' responses and notify the prison systems once the evaluation is complete.

Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokesman Jason Clark said Monday that the state was appealing the FDA's impounding of a shipment of sodium thiopental.

The state hasn't used the sedative in recent years as part of its lethal injections. But Clarks says the state wants to "explore all options."

Arizona officials say they also plan to appeal.

Death-penalty states have been struggling to acquire execution drugs after traditional manufacturers refused to provide their drugs for executions.

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