Alicia Dermer wrote:
<<> Now for the soap box:  It is beyond my comprehension how physicians reach
> for
> the "latest and greatest" medication when there are numerous tried and true
> medications which are equally effective for any particular condition.
> What's
> worse is a physician who insists that this is the only drug available for
> the
> condition and insists the mother wean. >>

<<we should IMHO be empowering mothers to ask their physicians about possible
equally effective alternatives.  One suggestion I have made to mothers whose
physicians insisted that they must use just one particular medication, was to
ask that physician "doctor, what would you give me if I were allergic to this
drug?">>

Thanks, Alicia.  You are so right about empowering mothers to ask more
questions and demand choices.  We often talk of the unethical marketing of
formula, but the whole pharmaceutical industry is just as unethical about the
way they peddle their products.  Many hcp just think of this as business and
the norm without giving much thought about the ethics of these pharmaceutical
companies.  Two weeks ago, one pharmaceutical rep was giving preview tickets
to Harry Potter with a free coupon for a day spa near the theater.  Drop of
the children and go to the spa and be sure to write scripts for their drug.
I for one am outraged that when I have to purchase a medication that I'm
paying for free lunches and tickets to ball games and such.  The cost of
health care is sky rocketing and these very unethical marketing techniques
are part of the problem.  (Alicia, are soap boxes are contagious?)

Warm regards,
Pat Lindsey, IBCLC - Lactation Services  www.PatLC.com
Pediatrics Plus' Lactation Consultant   www.pedsplus.com
Orlando, FL
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