A little over a year ago, the hospital where I work as the Coordinator of
Lactation Services ( 4 full-time IBCLC's), deliveries of about 3400/year,
 was faced with similar situations.  All formula companies started charging
for their products.  At first, the hospital negotiated, found best prices for
each item as needed.  This included not only formula, glucose water, and
sterile water but nipples, volufeeders, pacifiers, HMF, etc.  We have a 20
bed Level III NICU also which uses quite a bit of these products.  After a
while, the Chief Neonatologist and Administration was approached by a company
(not R..s) that they would provide their products for free. (The assumption
that the competitor's products would not be used.)  A contract was signed,
etc.  Pediatricians were notified.  A howl of protest arose from peds some of
whom were incensed that they were losing control.  Others were perturbed that
a company that advertised that L..free milk prevents colic (since we know
breast milk doesn't cause colic and we know lactose is the cause of colic!)
was chosen to be the sole provider.  The HOWL grew so loud, that the proposal
was never carried through.  In fact, the competitor stopped charging for
their products.  Now everybody is happy 'cause everything is free once more.
 We thought we had a chance for baby-friendly when this first started (that
was what the advertised motive was) but now we don't know what hit us!
 Believe me, if there's a way to get around it, American ingenuity will
prevail!!

Keep sluggin"
Jane Kershaw
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