Late-night ads by plaintiffs' lawyers -- whether idiots or not -- is a
common means by which new clients can be acquired.  Some jurisidictions are
more strict about such ads than others; in my home state of PA, there are
fewer ads than found in California.  In PA you cannot use a celebrity to
promote your firm in ads; in CA you can.  It is a function of the customs
each state bar, the attorney's ethical rules in that jurisdiction, and so
on.

These lawyers are looking for people who have been injured ... not for bad
guys to sue.  They will use the plaintiffs' sad situation (whatever it may
be) to turn around and file a suit against whomever they feel has deep
enough pockets to make it worth the time and effort.  Pharmaceutical
companies have hugely deep pockets, and are "popular" defendants.

These days, IBCLCs are are likely as anyone who has treated a patient to get
pulled into a lawsuit -- no stopping that, of course.  CLCs CLEs and
LLLLs aren't lawsuit-proof either.  Its rare--but not impossible.  Lawsuits
are very easy to start, and a pain in the neck (and pocketbook) to shut
down.  That is why IBCLCs should be sure to have good malpractice (a.k.a.
professional liability) insurance: to pay for the costs of defending against
any lawsuit, even the stupid one filed by whacko mom.

Any IBCLC who is suggesting that any mother investigate use of a
pharmaceutical should be doing it as a member of the health care team, just
as our IBLCE Scope of Practice the IBCLC describes.  Unless you have
independent prescribing powers (you are an MD or midwife, for example, in
addition to being an IBCLC) you cannot and should not be prescribing or
advising anything for a mother.  However, an IBCLC can provide *information*
to a mother until she is blue in the face.

*Not* OK:  "You should take Reglan. It increases milk in mothers."
*Yes** OK:  "You should talk to your doctor about taking Reglan.  Here is a
study discussing its impact on lactation to share with your doc.  Some moms
find it increases supply, but there can be side effects."

As with discussion of ANY pharmaceutical, over-the-counter, or herbal ...
there is a weighing of pros and cons.  Here in the USA, it is very difficult
to get domperidone; it is easy to get Reglan.  Domperidone has fewer side
effects than Reglan.  So any mother deserves complete information, about all
options, so that she can made a fully-informed decision after consulting
with her IBCLC ... doctor ... and spiritual advisor if need be!

-- 
Liz Brooks JD IBCLC FILCA
Wyndmoor, PA, USA

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