Sindh bans sale of formula milk without prescription

The Sindh Assembly has enacted the Sindh Protection and Promotion of Breastfeeding and Child Nutrition Act, introducing measures to curb the sale of formula milk and encourage breastfeeding across the province.

According to this law, all medical stores will be prohibited from selling formula milk without a doctor’s prescription, and packaging will be required to display the term "artificial milk."

Experts from the Pakistan Pediatric Association, including Professor Masood Sadiq, Vice Chancellor of Punjab University, and Professor Waseem Jamalvi, President of the Sindh Chapter, have expressed their support for the legislation.

They revealed that only 48% of mothers in Pakistan breastfeed their infants, while 52% rely on formula milk, which is a major contributing factor to malnutrition and childhood illnesses such as measles, diarrhea, pneumonia, and typhoid.

They highlighted the essential benefits of breastfeeding, noting that feeding a child mother's milk for two years strengthens immunity, supports mental growth, and builds self-confidence. Mother’s milk is naturally sterile and provides unparalleled nutritional benefits, offering protection against numerous diseases.

The experts raised concerns about the widespread use of formula milk, pointing out that 20 companies market such products in Pakistan, with a heavy reliance on imported supplies.

The cost of formula milk, which ranges between Rs25,000 to 30,000 monthly, puts a financial burden on families, translating to an annual expense of PKR 360,000 and leading to the outflow of foreign exchange.

The law establishes stringent penalties to discourage the misuse of formula milk. Doctors found promoting artificial milk will face fines of PKR 500,000 and up to six months of imprisonment. Additionally, hospitals and clinics will no longer display advertisements or promotional material for formula milk.

To oversee the implementation of the law, the Sindh government has formed a board comprising representatives from the Sindh Healthcare Commission and the Pakistan Pediatric Association.

Formula milk will only be allowed for emergency use under the supervision of doctors, and even in such cases, it will be provided for a limited time.

Health professionals underscored the adverse effects of formula milk, pointing out that it fails to provide the immunity necessary to prevent diseases and often causes digestive issues in infants.

They reiterated that artificial milk is not a substitute for breastfeeding and that mothers should prioritize feeding their children naturally for their health and development.

This legislation aims to promote breastfeeding and protect the health of children in Sindh, setting a framework to ensure compliance and raise awareness about the significance of mother’s milk.