A dose of a combination of three drugs that respectively paralyses human body’s nervous system and skeletal muscles and stops the heart will be used in the execution of death-row prisoners.

This is the new point in a newly-issued decree that amends and supplements a number of stipulations in Decree No. 82/2011/ND-CP dated September 19, 2011 on lethal injection in conducting the death penalty.

The previous one listed the following drugs to be used for executions: sodium thiopental as anesthesia, pancuronium bromide as paralyzer and potassium chloride to induce cardiac arrest.

Under the new decree, which will come into effect on June 27, the Health Ministry is assigned to ensure the supply of the drugs for execution.

Vietnam has carried out the death penalty using lethal injection since 2011 instead of a firing squad to reduce physical pain for the condemned.-VNA