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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