Pharmaceutical company Pfizer has imposed controls on the distribution of its products to ensure that none are used in lethal injections to execute death row inmates.
The move reportedly closes off the last remaining open-market source of drugs used in executions, following similar actions by more than 20 US and European drug manufacturers.
Pfizer said on its website: "We are enforcing a distribution restriction for specific products that have been part of, or considered by some states for, their lethal injection protocols.
"Pfizer strongly objects to the use of its products as lethal injections for capital punishment."
The New York-based drugmaker said it offers the products because they save or improve lives, and markets them solely for use as indicated in the product labelling.
Reprieve, a human rights organisation opposed to the death penalty, said: "This is a critical turning point in the history of capital punishment in America."
Maya Foa, director of Reprieve's death penalty team, told Sky News: "Pfizer cements the industry position.
"For years states have said: 'we can't get this drug, let's get another one'. "(Pfizer) has said: 'No, stop'.
"This is a big global manufacturer saying enough is enough so I think it will have a very palpable impact across the US."
Dr David Nicholl, consultant neurologist and human rights activist, told Sky News the decision was "an absolute landmark".
He added: "Now the death penalty in the US is at its lowest level since 1991. When any new method or new drug comes in it gets challenged legally.
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