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Date: | Sat, 4 Nov 2006 08:30:32 EST |
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Jenny informed us of an invitation dropped off by the Mead Johnson salesman
at her hospital unit regarding a dinner and lecture on DHA to be presented by
an IBCLC. This is the same type of tactic used on physicians and nurses. Mead
Johnson hires an IBCLC because they know that it is a much more effective
way to sell their product if the sales pitch comes from someone within the
target audience's community rather than a formula company hack. Food,
friendship, and flattery is a powerful combination in selling formula to those who may
be reluctant to look favorably upon the company and its product. Providing
food alters how we think about the company's product as we associate the good
feeling that comes with food with the what is being peddled, transferring
these positive feelings to what we may have had a negative feeling about.
Actions to be taken could include: reporting the Mead Johnson salesman to
the hospital for violating its vendor policy. Salesmen are vendors who need an
appointment for a specific reason, not to pay a social call. Work to make sure
that no one attends the dinner/lecture. Make up brochures and stand outside
the lecture venue passing out copies of why this practice is harmful to the
mothers and babies entrusted to the hospital's care. Ask the hospital
administration if vendors should be prohibited from luring staff to sales pitches
designed to compromise patient health. Report the IBCLC lecturer to the IBLCE.
This violates the standards of practice. Approach your corporate compliance
department and ask if the hospital should allow itself to be a venue for
promoting pricey products to patients, especially if it neutralizes the hospital's
mission of delivering health care services.
The lactation consultant profession has enough problems without selling
itself to the highest bidder. An IBCLC who works for a formula company is in a
direct conflict of interest with the ethics of the profession. Such a blemish
on the profession translates into money for formula companies.
Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC
Weston, MA
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