Good questions Rachel. My comments are in ALL CAPS below.
Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC
Weston, MA
Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:24:29 +0100
From: Rachel Myr <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Evenflo and code issues, marketing vs selling
Marsha Walker makes the point that pumps are not mentioned amongst
products
that are covered by the WHO Code, so the fact that pumps are pushed by
Evenflo and pretty much every other supplier of objects that can be
sold to
pregnant women does not mean that Evenflo are in violation of the Code.
I
will make the point that Liz Brooks' smell test is still a good one for
things that aren't covered by any kind of agreement, treaty, rule, law
or
code of ethics. I've said it before and will say so again: just because
something doesn't violate an official rule doesn't mean you are obliged
to
buy, recommend, or even like it. Sniff deeply. If the smell bothers you,
stay away from it. NO ONE IS MAKING ANY CLINICIAN RECOMMEND A BREAST
PUMP. IF PEOPLE DON'T LIKE PUMPS THEN THEY DO NOT HAVE TO RECOMMEND
THEM. MY DUTY AS A NURSE AND LACTATION CONSULTANT IS ALWAYS TO THE
MOTHER/PATIENT. I WILL RECOMMEND WHAT I BELIEVE WILL BEST HELP THE
WOMAN BREASTFEED OR PROVIDE HER MILK FOR HER BABY.
Marsha, I am not versed in the distinction between selling and
marketing.
Can you clarify? I juxtaposed these webpages on my browser. To my mind
they are pretty much equivalent. So, are they both examples of
selling, or
is one of them engaging in marketing, and if so, what is the key point
of
contention?
http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/products/breastmilk-collection
showing
their assortment of containers and feeders
THE BOTTLES AND NIPPLES SHOWN ON THE MEDELA WEBSITE ARE PERMITTED AS
SELLING. THERE ARE A FEW DESCRIPTIVE PHRASES THAT APPEAR TO BE
MARKETING WHICH I WOULD RECOMMEND BE REMOVED SO THAT THE TEXT DOES NOT
IDEALIZE BOTTLE-FEEDING. THESE ARE IN THE INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH THAT
PRECEEDS THE PHOTO OF THE PRODUCT. "IDEAL FOR ... FEEDING. FACTS ABOUT
THE PRODUCT ARE PERMITTED "DISHWASHER SAFE" AS AN EXAMPLE. MEDELA HAS
ALSO VIOLATED THE CODE IN SOME OF THEIR PRINT ADS DIRECTED TO CONSUMERS.
http://evenflo.com/bottle_feeding_landing.aspx?cid=44, showing their
assortment of containers and feeding teats
THIS LINK BRINGS UP THE PACK SHOT ON THE EVENFLO WEBSITE. THE PACK SHOT
IS PERMITTED AS SELLING BECAUSE THERE IS NO MARKETING TEXT IDEALIZING
THE SET OF PRODUCTS. THIS IS NO DIFFERENT THAN WALKING INTO A STORE AND
LOOKING AT A SHELF OF BOTTLES. THIS HAS BEEN APPROVED BY INFACT CANADA
AND THE INTERNATIONAL CODE DOCUMENTATION CENTER IN PENANG.
Or this:
http://evenflo.com/product.aspx?id=88 which is a presentation of one of
the
pump models, including this text in the description of the product.
BREAST PUMPS ARE NOT COVERED BY THE CODE. THE CONTENTS OF A PACKAGE CAN
BE LISTED ON THE WEBSITE AND ON THE PACKAGING SO THAT A CONSUMER IS
AWARE OF WHAT IS BEING PURCHASED. NO ONE IS FORCING CLINICIANS TO USE
THESE PUMPS IN THEIR PRACTICE. SOME OF THE MARKETING TEXT FOR MANY
BREAST PUMPS COMPARE THEIR USE TO THE PARAMETERS OF A BREASTFEEDING
BABY WHICH MAY EXCEED OUR TOLERANCE FOR HYPE BUT WHICH DOES NOT VIOLATE
THE CODE.
"Contains everything a mother needs to express, store breast milk, and
feed
her baby: 2 pump units, 4-pack nursing pads, 2 ultra nipples, 2 ultra
cap
rings, 2 ultra hoods, 2- 4-ounce ultra bottles, and 2 sealing disks"
Rachel Myr
Kristiansand, Norway
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