As one who follows such things, I have noticed the increased activity by the
formula companies in the US in terms of their pressure on hospitals to accept
free formula. We have fairly good data showing that use of discharge packs
and free formula increases supplementation and decreases the length of
breastfeeding. Why are the hospitals returning to the use of free formula?
Why the pressure to give out discharge packs? Probably because we are doing
our jobs well! With the new AAP statement coming out, the WIC breastfeeding
promotion campaign, the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, etc, the companies
are gearing up to drop a bombshell. The article in the NY Daily News is such
an example.

Here are a few ways to use the system to rid your institution of formula
company pressure:
1. check your institution's policy on selling or marketing products to
patients. Since discharge packs are forms of marketing, employees may be
unknowingly violating this policy
2. check your job description. Does it say anything about marketing products
to patients. If not don't do it
3. obtain the mission statement of the hospital. Does it mention promotion of
health as a goal? Does it mention marketing products as a means to this goal?
If it says health is a goal, ask how giving patients non-therpaeutic
commercial products fits into this goal
4. contact your state nurses association for a ruling on marketing products
to patients. Does this fall into the scope of practice for a nurse? Does this
fit in with the ethical practice of nursing?
5. contact your hospital's ethic committee and your hospital's attorney. Ask
both for s statement of the ethics and legality of the hospital endorsing
products for financial gain. Remind colleagues that no other product is
received by the hospital at no cost in amounts that fulfill the needs of the
entire hospital
6. ask your hospital if they see the preregistration list of its maternity
patients to infant formula companies
7. ask your atsate public health department, the hospital licensure
department, and your state attorney general if these practices are legal or
ethical
8. obtain a written copy of your institution;s vendor policy. Do formula reps
follow the same rules? If not, ask that they do
9. ask if your hospital has a contract with a formula company. Ask how much
cash they were given to accept free formula. Ask who is responsible for that
money.
10. if you have been approached to change your unit breastfeeding policy to
give out formula discharge packs ask your hospital's attorney if you are
personnaly liable for the outcome of the use of the formula you give to
mothers

Do not think that taking out the can of formula changes anything about the
marketing potential of the discharge pack.

JUST SAY NO

Marsha Walker
still saying no