<p>The Editor, Journal of Neonatology, NNF. Sir, This is in reference to the article NNFINDUSTRY RELATIONSHIP published in the Jul-Sep 2004 issue of your journal which also mentioned about the IMS act. Even after more than ten years of implementation of the act and more than two years since amendments were brought in to make it more stringent, instances of blatant violations of this act galore in full knowledge of many of us. This Act has become just a mute spectator to the various tactics of multinational baby food manufacturing giants to push their sales. Even now they distribute free samples of baby food to medical professionals with a printed line on the packaging- ‘Only for Demonstration’. Does this line absolve them of the crime of violation of the IMS Act?</p><p>We also know that organization of any type of CME by baby food manufacturing company is illegal. But, there have been many instances of exclusive CMEs being organized by giant baby food companies on topics related or unrelated to infant feeding in which even academic big shots come as speakers and delegates are treated to sumptuous 5-star meals. Recently, one such event was organized by NESTLE in a big hotel in Kolkata. The same company has also organized several so called educational programmes on Infant Feeding for RMP's and quacks in the recent past with slide and Video shows and sumptuous meals. It is anybody's guess that they are certainly not promoting or protecting the cause of Breastfeeding by these activities. What I feel is that though many articles have been published in many journals and books, each one of which extorting us to report violations of the Act, we ourselves are not serious about implementing it.</p><p>Once I wrote to BPNI about an event organized by NESTLE in Shahjahanpur, U.P.(I was staying and working in that place at that time). But, I didn't get any response from them. We ourselves have to be serious about implementing and abiding by the act. Or else, it will also just remain a showpiece in law-books like the Prenatal Sex determination Act and the antismoking Act.</p></sec></body></article></article></body></html>

Journal of Neonatology

0971-2179

National Neonatology Forum

jn-20-4-letter

EDITORIAL

Letter

Nandi

Madhumita

Pediatrician, 6/6, Naren Sarkar Road, Barisha, Kolkata-700008, E-mail: madhumitabanik@rediffmail.com.

Editor's viewpoint

Dr Madhumita Nandi has raised a very valid issue. It is well established that exclusive breastfeeding is the most effective strategy in lowering the neonatal & infant morbidity and mortiality. The IMS Act was a right step towards promoting exclusive breastfeeding and curbing the practice of introduction of formula and bottle feeds. All of us who care for newborns should join hands in effective implementation of IMS Act and make sure it is not left burried in the lawbooks.

10–122006

204391391

<p>The Editor, Journal of Neonatology, NNF. Sir, This is in reference to the article NNFINDUSTRY RELATIONSHIP published in the Jul-Sep 2004 issue of your journal which also mentioned about the IMS act. Even after more than ten years of implementation of the act and more than two years since amendments were brought in to make it more stringent, instances of blatant violations of this act galore in full knowledge of many of us. This Act has become just a mute spectator to the various tactics of multinational baby food manufacturing giants to push their sales. Even now they distribute free samples of baby food to medical professionals with a printed line on the packaging- ‘Only for Demonstration’. Does this line absolve them of the crime of violation of the IMS Act?</p><p>We also know that organization of any type of CME by baby food manufacturing company is illegal. But, there have been many instances of exclusive CMEs being organized by giant baby food companies on topics related or unrelated to infant feeding in which even academic big shots come as speakers and delegates are treated to sumptuous 5-star meals. Recently, one such event was organized by NESTLE in a big hotel in Kolkata. The same company has also organized several so called educational programmes on Infant Feeding for RMP's and quacks in the recent past with slide and Video shows and sumptuous meals. It is anybody's guess that they are certainly not promoting or protecting the cause of Breastfeeding by these activities. What I feel is that though many articles have been published in many journals and books, each one of which extorting us to report violations of the Act, we ourselves are not serious about implementing it.</p><p>Once I wrote to BPNI about an event organized by NESTLE in Shahjahanpur, U.P.(I was staying and working in that place at that time). But, I didn't get any response from them. We ourselves have to be serious about implementing and abiding by the act. Or else, it will also just remain a showpiece in law-books like the Prenatal Sex determination Act and the antismoking Act.</p></sec></body></article></article></body></html>