Executions in US are being delayed due to a short-supply of sodium thiopental, one of the drugs employed as lethal injections.

Most of the 35 states who make use of the lethal injection are on a look-out for fresh source of drug, which aides to cure people unconsciousness.

The major manufacturer of the drug claims that the new batch for sodium thiopental will not be coming earlier than 2011. In the meanwhile, nine states have planned 17 executions before the end of January.

On the other hand maker of the drug Hospira has put the blame on unspecified issues associated with raw-material suppliers.

Hospira spokesman Dan Rosenberg explained, "We are working to get it back onto the market for our customers as soon as possible."

Hospira has earlier made it very clear that it is uncomfortable for its product to be used in form of lethal injection process. However, the drug maker claims to bring in fresh supplies of products very soon in order to meet the demands.