New lethal injection drug drives up cost of execution

One of three lethal injection drugs used in Texas for executions has been replaced by a more expensive drug.

Texas replaced sodium thiopental a year ago, after a European supplier stopped providing the drug.  

No other source was found. 

The sodium thiopental was replaced by pentobarbital.

The Austin-American Statesman reports that the addition of pentobarbital brings the total cost of the drugs to $1,300, an increase of $83 from the previous mixture.

Prison officials say the cost of the other two drugs has also increased, but the bulk of the increase is due to the addition of pentobarbital.