Ann makes a good point about the sign up sheets in the docs'offices. However, they are probably covered in that the women choose to put their names on. Of course, they don't know what they are really signing up for-namely giving the formula companies persimmion to target them for heavy advertising and marketing! The coupons are the formula company response to the fact that more and more hospitals are refusing to be advertising agents for them! And that is exactly what I tell a mom when she shows a coupon. They are trying to manipulate her into thinking she has a "right" to these advertising samples. She states: "Our LC dept. is trying very hard to stop these bags from being given out but the staff have a point that they feel they cannot deny these women a bag if they ask for them." Great that you are trying to stop the bags. However, I don't think the staff has a point at all. That view is exactly what the companies are hoping will prevail! There are coupons in mags and newsparers for samples of lots of different drugs, but just because someone brings a coupon to the drug store doesn't mean they are entitled to the drug. It still takes a doc's order (and with it a legitimate use for the drug). It's quite a trick-get the moms to believe the bags are as much their right to take home as their baby and at the same time, make the staff feel like it is their obligation to "redeem" the coupon! Winnie *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html