Marsha,
This is atrocious. Who is on the IBLCE board?
Karleen Gribble
Australia
----- Original Message -----
From: <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, April 03, 2009 6:43 AM
Subject: IBLCE, Medela, and the Code


> As some of you are aware, the International Board of Lactation Consultant
> Examiners (IBLCE) has just issued a new policy regarding the approval of
> CERPS for educational sessions funded or sponsored by Medela. You can see
> this at
> http://www.iblce.org/documentsNEW/Medela_publicStatement_03.30.pdf.
> Essentially IBLCE has exempted Medela from its list of Code-violating
> companies and is allowing sponsorship of programs by Medela. This violates
> IBLCE's own policy regarding sponsorship of educational offerings and
> conflicts with IBLCE's Code of Ethics and ILCA's Standards of Practice.
> IBLCE cannot pick and choose which Code violators they will allow to fund
> programs. The Code applies to all companies manufacturing or distributing
> products within the scope of the Code.
>
> IBLCE has at its disposal several international expert organizations to
> review and interpret the Code. It is an inherent conflict-of-interest for
> IBLCE (which requires payment for approving CERPs) to allow CERPS for
> programs funded by this company. IBLCE must be consistent and uphold the
> Code, not massage the Code to suit itself. It does not matter what a
> company's stated intention is. What matters is how the products under the
> scope of the Code are marketed. There is no doubt about a Code violation
> when a feeding bottle and artificial nipple are shown in an ad in American
> Baby magazine. The issue is not whether the products are needed, or how
> they are used, or what the company states in support of breastfeeding. The
> issue is how the products are marketed. Parts of the IBLCE statement reads
> almost identical to what the Medela salespeople have been saying to LCs
> around the country.
>
> This move by IBLCE puts the IBCLC credential in danger of imploding. How
> can I re-certify when the agency that grants my professional certification
> no longer upholds the fundamental tenets on which the credential is based.
> I have written of my concerns to the president of the IBLCE board of
> directors and hope others will do so as well.
>
> Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC
> Weston, MA
>
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