• Background • The 3-Drug protocol • The 4 Drug protocol, DDMP • Evolution of the mixtures, D-DMP2 through to DDMAPh • Using the mixtures
• The RPA test for the mixtures Background
As the number of US States with laws allowing assisted suicide for the terminally ill rose, so did demand for suitable lethal drugs. The barbiturate, Nembutal, has long been considered the most effective of the orally-administered drugs. However, the leading manufacturer is Danish. Because Nembutal is used for executions in the US, the Danes have elected not to export the drug. The resulting shortage of supply has seen the cost of Nembutal (for an elective death) rise to a prohibitive $20,000. The second most suitable barbiturate for a peaceful and reliable death is Seconal. However, when Canadian drug company, Valeant, purchased Sec- onal in 2016 they promptly doubled the price to $3000, putting it out of reach for the average person.
* Exit acknowledges the kind assistance of Drs Robert Wood, Carol Parrot, Sally McLaughlin and Lonny Shavelson for providing detail on the mixed drug protocols
