Susan,
Anytime a commercial company gives you something, they will expect
something in return. Otherwise, it wouldn't be allowed by their company. It
doesn't make economic sense.  The questions is do health professionals have
to become a part of a commercial company's marketing program. I say "No".
Accepting free formula and requesting activities by health professionals
and health professionals performing those activities is unethical behavior.
You are in a sense being paid to advertise for their company. Thus, we are
marketing a product we don't think is in the best interest of our patients.
 Why can't the hospital charge for formula like they do other items used by
the patient???

Regarding other items or "perks" that the formula companies entice
hospitals with,
Lewis Margolis, MD, MPH, in "The Ethics of accepting Gifts from
Pharmaceutical Companies", Pediatrics, 88(6):1233, 1991, states:
"the acceptance of gifts in virtually any form violates fundamental duties
of the physician(hcp) of nonmaleficence, fidelity, justice, and
self-improvement."

Good Luck! Carol