Article type
Abstract
Background: The promotion of commercial milk formulas (CMF) as near-equivalents to breastmilk by their manufacturers, despite a lack of robust scientific evidence, puts commercial objectives ahead of public health. Healthcare professional associations (HCPAs) play a crucial role in educating healthcare workers and influencing clinical practice. However, when these associations form financial ties with CMF manufacturers, it leads to conflicts of interest (COI) that could compromise the promotion of optimal infant feeding practices. The World Health Assembly has called on all stakeholders, including HCPAs, to avoid such conflicts, although it remains unclear how consistently these recommendations are adhered to.
Objective: To develop a methodology aimed at identifying and examining the nature and extent of financial relationships between the CMF industry and international and national HCPAs, including all HCPAs relevant to maternal and child health.
Methods: The method described in our protocol is based on an approach previously used in a study of sponsorship of paediatric HCPAs and supported by a comprehensive systematic search strategy in the Gale Directory Library and Google, using pre-defined keywords to ensure unbiased identification of relevant associations. We developed a protocol that will allow us to systematically detect, categorise and analyse the types of financial support provided by CMF manufacturers. No public or consumer involvement.
Results: The selection of professional groups is based on WHO/UNICEF guidelines. We categorise evidence of funding into sponsorship or payment for services. A hierarchical process is used to review publicly available websites, social media accounts and different types of documents (such as financial reports or conference photos). One of the key steps is identifying the HCPAs' COI policies. A formal Cochrane compliance process ensures data reliability and validity. The main outcome is the proportion of sponsored HCPAs.
Conclusions: A systematic method for examining the financial relationships between the CMF industry and HCPAs is necessary to provide valid insights into potential COI in maternal and child health. Uncovering these links using the best methodology will contribute to the development of more robust COI policies, thereby reducing unethical practices, increasing public scrutiny, and protecting the integrity of healthcare advice and the interests of patients.
"Supported by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education ('The Excellence Initiative – Research University' programme), grant number 0320/2020/20."
Objective: To develop a methodology aimed at identifying and examining the nature and extent of financial relationships between the CMF industry and international and national HCPAs, including all HCPAs relevant to maternal and child health.
Methods: The method described in our protocol is based on an approach previously used in a study of sponsorship of paediatric HCPAs and supported by a comprehensive systematic search strategy in the Gale Directory Library and Google, using pre-defined keywords to ensure unbiased identification of relevant associations. We developed a protocol that will allow us to systematically detect, categorise and analyse the types of financial support provided by CMF manufacturers. No public or consumer involvement.
Results: The selection of professional groups is based on WHO/UNICEF guidelines. We categorise evidence of funding into sponsorship or payment for services. A hierarchical process is used to review publicly available websites, social media accounts and different types of documents (such as financial reports or conference photos). One of the key steps is identifying the HCPAs' COI policies. A formal Cochrane compliance process ensures data reliability and validity. The main outcome is the proportion of sponsored HCPAs.
Conclusions: A systematic method for examining the financial relationships between the CMF industry and HCPAs is necessary to provide valid insights into potential COI in maternal and child health. Uncovering these links using the best methodology will contribute to the development of more robust COI policies, thereby reducing unethical practices, increasing public scrutiny, and protecting the integrity of healthcare advice and the interests of patients.
"Supported by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education ('The Excellence Initiative – Research University' programme), grant number 0320/2020/20."