Healthy Skepticism Library item: 13031

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Raya RR.
The Philippine breastfeeding struggle continues
The Lancet 2008 Mar 8; 371:(9615):794-795
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS014067360860358X/fulltext

Abstract:

…The ruling concluded nearly 3 years of legal battle that started with the strengthening of the implementation of the Milk Code in response to the rapid decline of breastfeeding. In the last quarter of 2004, the Department of Health crafted a national plan and updated the RIRR to align it with international standards.6 This effort met opposition from the industry … after 2 years of negotiation, the Secretary of Health signed the RIRR. The Pharmaceutical Health Care Association of the Philippines, representing US-based infant-formula companies in the Philippines, petitioned the Supreme Court for a temporary restraining order to declare the RIRR unconstitutional.6 A month later, the US Chamber of Commerce delivered a letter that invited President Arroyo to reconsider the RIRR to avoid complications in US–Philippine economic ties.9 A temporary restraining order was issued a week later.6

Aggressive marketing practices for breastmilk substitutes have been blamed for the decline of breastfeeding in the Philippines, where only 16·1% of Filipino infants aged 4–5 months are exclusively breastfed, half stop exclusive breastfeeding by the third week of life, and 13% are never breastfed (the lowest ever-breastfed rates in 56 countries13) … The Supreme Court’s ruling gives a fresh mandate … to the Government’s regulatory agency … the struggle goes on to restore the culture of breastfeeding in the Philippines.