Pakistani Doctors get Commission for recommending Formula

"Of 96 doctors, 71 said they received samples from Nestle'. Thirty-seven of these had received Cerelac samples, six Nestle' Rice (Nestum) and five Neslac.  Fourteen doctors said they had received Lactogen samples during the last three months.  28 were receiving Moringan samples.  Twenty doctors reported receiving samples from Abbott and 16 from Meiji.  There were another 20 claims of receiving free samples from Nutricia, Mead Johnson, Snow Brand and Wyeth. A former area manager of an infant formula company revealed, "Lucrative hospitals and doctors are known as JKs or jackpots among company circles.  These are 'purchased' by companies for up to US $5,000, after which the doctor or hospital is bound to recommend the company's formula for six months or one year, depending upon the deal.  Mission Hospital, Multan is a 'Lactogen hub.'  The deal is a 20% cut to doctors for every tin recommended." A former Nestle' representative told The Network in an interview that they were told repeatedly by the management that one prescription of Lactogen ensures the company a profit of Rs. 50,000 (US $1,250)."





Nestle' employee speaks out

"Pakistan has the highest infant mortality rates (IMR) in Southeast Asian region.  This high IMR is attributed mainly to diarrheal diseases, the ever-increasing incidence of which is due to a growing trend of bottle-feeding.  For this, the baby food manufacturers are the main culprits as they make use of all kinds of unethical marketing practice to convince mothers to initiate artificial feeding.  I, as a former employee of Nestle' Milkpak Ltd., have been a part of this malpractice, but a stage came where I could not bear it any more and ultimately decided to quit this company."

- Syed Aamar Raza, Ex-employee, Nestle' Milkpak Ltd., Sialkot

Baby Milk Action is fighting unethical formula marketing practices around the world.