Barb has alerted us to another ploy to enlist physicians and nurses into the
formula marketing corps. Here is a quote from the Ross Employee Manual that
you might want to post for staff to see: "Never underestimate the role of
nurses. If they are sold and serviced properly, they can be strong allies. A
nurse who supports Ross is like another salesman." Some people must enjoy
being used! The neonatologist defending these practices should be happy that
she has become one of the duped! Some states are now looking at legislation
requiring physicians to declare gifts and bribes when they apply to renew
their license or as a condition of work.

Since this inservice was about infant massage and not a company product, it
violates the Code and the hospital's vendor policy. Check with your corporate
compliance department if this type of service is in violation of the rules
regarding kickbacks.

NABA will have the Executive Summary of Selling Out Mothers and Babies ready
in a couple of weeks. It is suitable for giving to colleagues to help them
understand the high stakes game being played. It contains two pages of
actions people can take to curb this onslaught of commercial pressure.

Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC
Weston, MA

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