Health Care

As Ohio lawmakers rush to pass a bill supporters say is needed to restart executions in the state, a prosecutor says the chances of the next scheduled execution happening are "nil." The legislation up for a final Senate vote Thursday shields the names of companies that provide lethal injection drugs to Ohio, a provision that supporters say is necessary to obtain supplies of the drugs.

Shares of some top pharmaceuticals companies were down at the close of trading: Baxter International Inc. fell $1.03 or 1.4 percent, to $72.76.

Shares of some top medical devices companies were down at the close of trading: Allergan fell $2.30 or 1.1 percent, to $210.10.

Shares of some top managed care companies were down at the close of trading: Aetna fell $1.89 or 2.1 percent, to $87.67.

Shares of some top managed care companies are down at 1 p.m.: Aetna fell $.86 or 1.0 percent, to $88.70.

Shares of some top health care equipment companies are mixed at 10 a.m.: Becton, Dickinson & Co. fell $.44 or .3 percent, to $139.01.

Shares of some top managed care companies are down at 10 a.m.: Aetna fell $.66 or .7 percent, to $88.90.

Shares of some top pharmaceuticals companies are mixed at 10 a.m.: Baxter International Inc. fell $.08 or .1 percent, to $73.71.

Shares of some top medical devices companies are down at 10 a.m.: Allergan fell $.68 or .3 percent, to $211.72.

Companies providing Ohio with lethal injection drugs would have their names shielded for at least 20 years, under a bill scheduled for a possible vote that lawmakers say is needed to restart executions in the state.

Shares of some top biotechnology companies were mixed at the close of trading: Amgen Inc. fell $2.25 or 1.3 percent, to $169.39.

Merck is buying Cubist Pharmaceuticals for $8.4 billion, illustrating a new emphasis on combating so-called "superbugs" that are drawing dire warnings from global health organizations.

Shares of some top managed care companies are mixed at 1 p.m.: Aetna fell $.55 or .6 percent, to $90.07.

Shares of some top medical devices companies are mixed at 1 p.m.: Allergan fell $.15 or .1 percent, to $213.20.

Shares of some top pharmaceuticals companies are mixed at 10 a.m.: Baxter International Inc. rose $.13 or .2 percent, to $74.35.

Shares of some top medical devices companies are mixed at 10 a.m.: Allergan rose $.39 or .2 percent, to $213.74.

Shares of some top medical devices companies were mixed at the close of trading: Allergan fell $.79 or .4 percent, to $212.56.

Shares of some top managed care companies were mixed at the close of trading: Aetna fell $.50 or .6 percent, to $90.12.

Shares of some top health care equipment companies were mixed at the close of trading: Becton, Dickinson & Co. rose $1.23 or .9 percent, to $139.78.

Shares of some top pharmaceuticals companies were mixed at the close of trading: Baxter International Inc. fell $.10 or .1 percent, to $74.12.