There is presently a big controversy at the Hospital for Sick Children
around this funding issue.  A drug company funded research on a drug for
children with thalassemia (nothing to do with breastfeeding).  The initial
results looked very favourable, and the study was published in the New
England Journal.  A few years of followup suggested that the drug actually
had some serious side effects.  Part of the contract with the drug company
stated that any new results would have to go through the company first.
They told the researcher she could *not* publish the results that showed
dangerous side effects.  When she said she would anyhow, they threatened to
sue her for breach of contract.  The hospital, to their everlasting shame,
did not back her up, and asked her to resign.  She published the results
anyway in the New England Journal, just recently.  She is in hot water, but
getting lots of support from the staff (though not the administration).

So, there in a nutshell, is what funding from an interested party means.

Even if it were true that free samples do not influence mothers to start
formula (oh sure!!), this does not mean that health professionals should
give them out.  Why should we do this for the companies?  Other studies show
different results.  If the study mentioned in Lactnet is correct, there is
no harm to mothers and their babies of *not* getting samples.  If the other
studies are correct, there *are* risks to the mother and the baby.

Have health professionals who give out samples no pride?

Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC