Sindh bans baby formula milk sale without prescription

The Sindh Assembly has enacted the Sindh Protection and Promotion of Breastfeeding and Child Nutrition Act, prohibiting the sale of baby formula without a doctor’s prescription across the province.

The new law mandates that all medical stores in Sindh will be required to sell infant milk products only with a prescription from a doctor, and packaging will clearly label the product as artificial milk.

According to the Pakistan Pediatric Association, doctors found violating the new regulations may face penalties of up to 500,000 PKR and a potential six-month prison sentence.

All the formula milk-producing companies have been asked to print “artificial milk” on the box of the baby milk formula.

Moreover, even doctors cannot prescribe artificial formula milk to mothers without a solid reason, and those doing so would face cancellation of their licences and facing complaints to the Infant Feeding Board. Additionally, hospitals will not be allowed to display any promotional material for artificial milk, and medical stores cannot sell these products without a prescription.

In cases of emergency, artificial milk can be provided to newborns in hospitals under the guidance of doctors, but this will only be allowed for a limited period. Experts have pointed out that artificial milk does not provide the same immune benefits as breast milk, which is why infants who are given formula are more susceptible to diseases.

A major study in 2016 suggested more than 800,000 babies’ lives could be saved annually if breastfeeding rates improved to reach this milestone.

“False and misleading messages about formula feeding are a substantial barrier to breastfeeding, which we know is best for babies and mothers,” UNICEF executive director Catherine Russell said in a statement.

Rollins said digital marketing in particular needs work, because of the potential for personalised targeted messaging and because it is now a major area of expansion for baby milk companies, alongside milks for older children and milks for allergies

Pakistan currently has a breastfeeding rate of just 48%, leaving 52% of mothers not breastfeeding their children. This has raised serious concerns over the health of infants, as many are developing diseases like measles, diarrhoea, pneumonia, and typhoid at a young age due to a lack of natural immunity.