The Consumer Council has found widespread practice by suppliers of infant formula milk products (IFMPs) in providing their products free for the feeding of newborn babies in hospitals.
It is understood that through an Infant Formulae Rotation System, IFMP suppliers are able to gain an exclusive free supply of their products for a period of one to two months, to all public hospitals. This arrangement is rotated among most of the brands available in the Hong Kong market.
Mothers, of course, are free to bring in their own supply of milk powder. But it stands to reason that unless advised by doctors in special circumstances, mothers are expected to feed their newborn with the IFMP under rotation.
So while the babies are given free supply of milk during their stay in hospitals, the rotation system guarantees to the suppliers a certain market share, and hence less pressure for competition on price.
Further, in another development, the Council has found that some 'BB Clubs' or 'Mothers Clubs' are in the practice of providing free infant formula samples.
Application forms and pamphlets are commonly available in clinics, advertised in newspapers and magazines, which are generated by IFMP suppliers to encourage mothers to join such 'BB Clubs' or 'Mothers Clubs'.
In the majority of cases, membership enables mothers to benefits such as gifts and free milk powder samples, information on baby feeding, discount coupons for baby products or other services, and free attendance at seminars on baby feeding.
The Consumer Council raised the concern that some of these practices may not be in strict compliance of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes issued by WHO and UNICEF.
The Council believes that the issues involved should best be debated publicly by all parties concerned to find the way forward in the best interest of mothers and their newborn, as well as hospitals of both public and private.
If not for the practice of giving free supply, the savings achieved should be passed onto consumers through reduction of retail price.
The Consumer Council is a staunch advocate for breastfeeding and recommends to mothers that there is no better substitute for the breastmilk of mothers.
Breastmilk contains antibodies and living immune cells to protect a baby from infection, and all the nutrients a baby needs for the first six months of life, remains the most important food in the first year and continues to be of benefit beyond this age, physically, mentally and emotionally.
As part of the study on IFMPs, the Council has obtained retail price information from nine suppliers last month.
According to the information provided, price variations were found among the different brands of IFMPs ranging from on average $125.9 to $167.9 for 900g models; $137.4 for 1000g models.
Lower prices can be found in independent retail pharmacy stores, by 3.4% to 15.5% less (i.e. $5 to $22), compared with prices at major supermarket and pharmacy chains.
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