US gov halts execution, citing propofol concerns
By Associated Press
Oct 11, 2013 11:53 AM CDT

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon is halting the execution of a convicted killer, citing concerns about the use of propofol as an execution drug.

The decision was announced Friday. Nixon also ordered the Missouri Department of Corrections to come up with a different way to perform lethal injections that does not include propofol.

Allen Nicklasson's execution, scheduled for Oct. 23, had been set to be the country's first-ever using propofol.

Propofol is the leading anesthetic used in America's hospitals in clinics. The European Union has threatened to limit the export of propofol if it was used in a U.S. execution. Nearly 90 percent of the nation's propofol comes from Europe.

The leading propofol maker, Fresenius Kabi, and anesthesiologists had warned of a possible propofol shortage that could impact millions of Americans.