Fall 1994 I believe (my back issues are at the office) issue of JHL contains
a guest editorial I wrote about my experience of being investigated by a
Federal agent who was checking out acusations of restraint of trade initiated
by a pump mfg who felt LCs were bad-mouthing this company's pumps.  I
asserted successfully that my role includes assessment of pumps based on
effectiveness of function.  I have no brand loyalty and would certainly
switch to whatever worked best at any given time. I do have a great deal of
client loyalty.  If I feel (based on observation, examination of mfg specs,
dialog with peers, and reading of the scientific lit) that a pump is
ineffective or dangerous or inferior to another pump, it is unethical for me
not to direct my client to something more appropriate.  The right to select
appropriate equipment is basic to many professions:  dentists, architects,
engineers.  No one tells these professions which drill or beam or software
program they have to use.  No one can tell us that.  However, we must be
careful to understand how price fixing, restraint of trade and libel work so
we don't act inappropriately.  We need to always remember that mfg reps have
a job to do which is to sell products.  Out primary source of info on pumps
should not exclusively be a sales rep.  I recommend Kittie Frantz's book on
products (Please, someone post that full ref.  I've gone brain dead on the
title and my copy of that is also at the office.  It contains ordering info).
 Kitties' book contains a nice over-view on all sorts of equip.  As
professionals, our clinical decision making process needs to be sound,
intelligent, fact driven and fair.

Barbara Wilson-Clay, BSE, IBCLC
Austin, Tx priv. pract.