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Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
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Sun, 22 May 2005 12:59:47 EDT
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Prolacta Bioscience is a for-profit company apparently started by Elena Medo 
(formerly CEO of White River breast pumps) to collect and process human milk 
to make both pasteurized whole milk and specialized milk components (eg. high 
protein "premie" milk) available to NICUs and others.  It's model is similar to 
blood banking where volunteer donors give blood, but excess blood is 
converted to blood products and sold to hospitals and others.

Venture capital was sought and found to set up a processing plant in Monrovia 
CA (east of Los Angeles, CA) and various lactation VIPs are or were signed on 
as expert consultants (eg. Lars Hanson, Ruth Lawrence).  They are looking to 
make quality products, but the way it is coming about is concerning.

It appears money was given to 1 or 2 entities: "The American Breastfeeding 
Institute (ABI)" and "The National Commission on Donor Milk Banking" (Karin 
Cadwell and Lois Arnold appear to be the principals - although no-one will confirm 
or deny the relationship and structure of these entities) to set up a network 
of "milk banks" (actually milk collection depots) to ensure a steady flow of 
donor milk to the CA plant.  I have heard disturbing reports of denigration of 
the current not-for-profit milk banking system (milk not safe, no quality 
control, no regulation) by representatives of the ABI.

As a neonatologist I would love to have fortifiers made from human milk 
rather than the cow's milk fortifiers we are currently using.  In addition, having 
a for-profit company involved in it would place a dollar value on human milk, 
which is not valued now as it is "free".  However, I would prefer to see the 
development and research done under the current non-profit HMBANA network if 
possible, to ensure that ALL patients, regardless of ability to pay, would be 
able to access the milk and milk products.  

Although the greatest NUMBER of pasteurized donor human milk receipients are 
premature infants, the greatest VOLUME of milk goes to older infants, children 
and adults as outpatients.  I am not sure if Prolacta is going to address 
these patients' needs.  In addition, I am concerned that if enough volunteer 
donor milk cannot be found, payment may be made for the milk, directly or 
indirectly, which could lead to abuses.  

I have no financial interest in Prolacta, nor am I on their consultant panel. 
 Please note that a representative from Prolacta monitors LACTNET.

Nancy
Nancy E. Wight MD, IBCLC, FABM, FAAP
Neonatologist, Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women and Children's Hospital
Medical Director, Sharp HealthCare Lactation Services
San Diego, CA
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