As a frustrated person with a little hematoma on my head from beating my head
into the wall on this (just kidding, but not much!), I can relate to this
problem.

I think that it is time for the legal department to become involved in these
decisions.  What are the legal implications for the hospital to market
products that can cause health problems?  What if a mother got expired
formula from a hospital and gave it to her baby and the baby got sick? What
if the baby has an allergic reaction to the formula she was given (without a
prior allergy hx, usually) and dies?  What is the product liability when the
hospital allows its employees to distribute advertising material?  Are the
shopping news representatives aware that hospital employees distribute
advertising for free?  Maybe we could get those little ads that hang on our
doors at the local hospitals since the staff are allowed to hand out stuff
free?

What is the difference?  Who makes the decisions which products should be
pushed?  Which should not be pushed?  Where do we draw the line?  Who gets to
draw it?  Is it a legal issue?  Is it an ethical issue?  Who cares?

Sorry, I feel a little better getting all those questions aired out.  Any
comments from those of you who are much more familiar with case law than I?

Queen  Kakorrhaphiophobia (fear of failure)  Just keeping you all on your
toes and in your dictionaries.
AKA Martha Brower, the wierd.