MedWatch reporting is very careful about confidentiality. Read the section on
this. It states that the patient's identity is held in strict confidence by
the FDA and protected to the fullest extent of the law. You are not asked to
give a name, it asks for a patient identifier, age at time of event, male or
female, and weight. If you are uncertain of what the term patient identifier
means, consult with the MedWatch program. We really need to start reporting
problems with pumps in a systematic manner. Lactnet is full of complaints
about pumps but this does little in the way of protecting mothers or
improving their options. When Rep Carolyn Maloney went to improve breast
pumps for working women and checked with the FDA, there were so few
complaints that Congress essentially ignored this aspect of breastfeeding
protection. Pumps that do not work well, act like toys, hurt mothers, or make
claims they cannot deliver on need action taken! Manufacturers can easily
ignore us but it is harder to ignore the FDA and a list of complaints logged
in Washington.

Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC
Weston, MA

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