PHM-Exch> stop sponsorship of the International Pediatric Association's Congress in Johannesburg

[Claudio Schuftan]

You might be interested in the  "Open Letter" sent by IBFAN to the
organisers of the International Pediatric Association's Congress that just
started today in Johannesburg, South Africa. Please forward it to
like-minded medical professionals you know. Slowly but surely a time will
come when scientific meetings are no longer singing to the tune of the
sponsors...

We have a colorful A4 page with evidence of violations by each of the 5
sponsors of the IPA Congress. It is not attached for fear of overloading
your mailboxes but we shall happily send it you on request.

Best wishes, especially to those we have not seen for ages.

Annelies Allain
IBFAN-ICDC
Penang, Malaysia



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Open Letter to IPA

In 2005 when IPA drew up guidelines to govern its relationship with
industry, IBFAN

(International Baby Food Action Network) saw this as positive support for
protecting

breastfeeding and adhering to the International Code of Marketing of
Breastmilk Substitutes

and subsequent relevant World Health Assembly resolutions (the Code). IBFAN
has upheld

the IPA guidelines as an example for other professional associations to
emulate and avoid

In 2007, the IPA Congress in Athens was heavily sponsored by the baby food
industry but

IBFAN was led to believe that future conferences would be free of such
sponsorship.

However, it has now come to our attention that five baby food companies are
appearing as

sponsors and exhibitors at the IPA Congress due to be held in Johannesburg
(4-9 August

2010). In its Congress materials IPA has stated that it abides by the
International Code of

Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes but will allow “special formulas” to be
promoted. This

is incongruent as the Code makes no distinction between different types of
breastmilk

substitutes. All breastmilk substitutes, including infant formula, fall
within the scope and

may not be advertised or promoted in any way.

Baby food companies have billions of dollars (current value of the baby food
market is US$

31 billion) to compete with the promotion of breastmilk. Breastfeeding
advocates work on a

shoe string and only have the power of the pen. Hence this letter. We know
that you are

aware of the undeniable scientific evidence for the benefits of 6 months
exclusive

breastfeeding and continued breastfeeding to 2 years or beyond. We write for
the health and

well-being of infants and young children whom the International Paediatric
Association has

It is distressing that this sponsorship is allowed despite IPA’s Guidelines
and despite IPA’s

presidential commitment of 2008. The President then said and we quote:
“Companies that

produce breastmilk substitutes are strictly banned, since their activities
conflict with our

goals on exclusive breastfeeding for babies.” and “…our dedication to
children does not

allow IPA to accept financial support from companies whose area of practice
conflicts with

the promotion of child health.” IPA’s leadership guides half a million
paediatricians

worldwide and yet, all participants will receive Congress materials
emblazoned with logos

of Abbott, Aspen, Danone, Nestlé and Pfizer (Wyeth).

No doubt all these companies claim to comply with the Code. But independent
evidence

shows this is not true. We attach a page with just one recent example for
each company

promoting products in ways which not only undermine breastfeeding but
violate the

International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and many national
laws.

We realise that it is too late to turn this sponsorship around.

It is not too late, however, to openly denounce this conflict of interest
and we will

be calling on participants in Jo-burg to add their concern and demand that
this be

the very last time. The integrity of IPA is at stake.

We acknowledge that considerable efforts have been made by IPA to reduce the

promotional impact of sponsors and exhibitors (no product brands or logos,
only

factual, evidence-based educational information, not product promotion).

It is well known, however, that sponsorship in whatever form influences
attitudes,

creates a sense of obligation and a need to reciprocate. If this were not
so,

companies would not bother. The World Health Assembly has recognised this
and

has twice adopted a resolution on sponsorship and conflict of interest.

We also know from experience that companies such as Abbott, Aspen, Danone,

Nestlé and Pfizer can easily find loopholes which will allow them to put a

promotional spin on ingredients in their products, especially special
formulas. Such

claims and misleading assertions may surface at the Congress and IPA and its

membership will be seen as endorsing them. The World Health Assembly has

adopted a resolution prohibiting claims on breastmilk substitutes unless
specifically

allowed by national law.

IBFAN monitors will be in Jo-burg, watching, recording and if necessary,
denouncing any

conflicts of interest. IPA has made the commitment to comply with the full
intent and extent

of the Code and its resolutions, all that is required is to keep it. We
believe it is possible for

IPA Congresses to remain true to its ethics in the future and for IPA to be
a true leader in the

protection of all infants, all children, in all countries.

IBFAN-International Code Documentation Centre on behalf of the following:
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