Dear Lactnetters,

With the recent discussion of Nestles, I thought you all might be interested
to see what American Home Products has to say in its 1995 Annual Report in
the category of "Pediatric Health Care":

"In January 1996, Wyeth-Ayerst announced that it will phase out its U.S.
infant nutritional products business, largely due to a changing marketplace
and the spiraling growth of the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Supplemental Food Program, which now accounts for more than half of all
formula consumed in the United States and requires products to be sold below
our cost of production. Wyeth-Ayerst will continue to market infant formula
outside the United States, where more than 85% of global sales are recorded
and category growth potential remains strong.

"Nutritional franchise sales increased internationally. The first-age
formula S-26 has widespread support and is a leader in Australia, China,
Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom. S-26 incorporates the latest scientific
advances in infant nutritional formulas to physiologically simulate human
milk. Nursoy, a soy-based formula for infants and children allergic to cow's
milk, had steady sales increases in many countries.

"Follow-on formulas such as Promil for infants ages six months and older
posted excellent sales gains and continued to grow in importance as a result
of increased support from the pediatric community. Sales exceeded
expectations for Progress, a growing-up milk specially formulated for
children one to four years of age."


Anyone else feel queasy when they read phrases like "category growth
potential" and "increased support from the pediatric community"?

Kate Pennington, LLLL, Newcastle, Maine (who would be happy to e-mail a list
of AHP over-the-counter medications to anyone who is interested)
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