Why does
the WV WIC* Program only provide iron fortified infant formula for WIC
participants?
Why does
the WV WIC* Program encourage use of certain infant formula?
How can a
special formula be prescribed for a WV WIC* participant?
For more information about what food items are in the WIC
food packages:
WIC Food
Standards
Why does the WV WIC Program only provide iron fortified
infant formula for WIC participants?
The WV WIC Program supports the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
policy that exclusive breastfeeding is the ideal nutrition and sufficient
to support optimal growth and development for full-term infants during the
first 6 months after birth and should be continued with the addition of
age-appropriate introduction of solid foods and juices, at least through
the first 12 months, and thereafter for as long as mutually desired (AAP,
Work Group on Breastfeeding. Breastfeeding and the use of human milk.
Pediatrics. 1997; 100: 1035-1039).
In the absence of human milk, iron-fortified infant formula is an
appropriate substitute for feeding the full-term infant during the first
year of life. Low-iron formulas exist because iron is perceived by some to
cause constipation and other feeding problems. Well-controlled studies
have consistently failed to show any increased risk of feeding intolerance
with the use of iron-fortified formulas (Pediatric
Nutrition Handbook, 4th edition, 1998).
The WV WIC Program will issue low-iron formula only when one of the
following medical conditions occur which adversely affect metabolism
and/or deposition of iron (i.e., iron-overload):
- Repeated blood transfusions for treatment of underlying
hematological disorder
- Thalassemia Major (Cooley’s Anemia)
- Neonatal Hemochromatosis (Neonatal Iron Storage Disease)
- Atransferinemia (Iron Transport Deficiency Anemia)
Please contact the Nutrition Education Coordinator for the WV WIC
Program at 304-558-0030 when one of the above conditions exist. Blood
work documentation indicating the disorder/disease must be received prior
to issuance of low-iron formula by the West Virginia WIC Program.
Please contact the Nutrition Education Coordinator for the WV WIC
Program at 304-558-0030 with any questions.
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Why does the WV WIC Program encourage use of certain infant
formula?
The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for
Public Health, Office of Nutrition Services/WIC Program has entered into
an agreement with Abbott Ross Nutrition. Abbott Ross Nutrition provides
Similac Advance Early Shield, Similac Sensitive, Similac Sensitive RS, and
Isomil as the sole source milk-based
and soy-based formulas for WIC participants.
The agreement is a federally mandated cost containment system. It
provides a savings of approximately $8.36
million per year to the WV WIC Program. This savings allows the WV WIC
Program to continue to serve an additional 15,000
WIC participants, in addition to the caseload served by the federal WIC
grant.
In accordance with federal regulations, WIC-eligible formulas are
mainly issued in a concentrated liquid or powdered forms. The issuance of
a ready-to-feed formula is limited to exceptions when there is an
unsanitary or restricted water supply, there is poor refrigeration, the
infant caretaker may have difficulty in correctly diluting a concentrated
liquid or powdered product, or the product is available in only a
ready-to-feed form.
All other standard milk-based or soy-based infant formulas require the
completion of the WV WIC Prescription Formula Documentation Form (WIC-53)
by a physician, certified nurse practitioner with prescriptive authority,
or physician assistant with prescriptive authority prior to issuance of
formula drafts.
Special formulas may be issued for 30 days
with a physician’s prescription pad as long as a diagnosis or medical need
is indicated. For issuance beyond 30 days, the WV WIC Prescription Formula
Documentation Form (WIC-53) must be completed.
Please contact the Nutrition Education Coordinator for the WV WIC
Program at 304-558-0030 with any questions.
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How can a special formula be prescribed for a WV WIC
participant?
A WIC participant who is prescribed formula other than Similac Advance
Early Shield, Similac Sensitive, Similac Sensitive RS, and Isomil must have a completed WV WIC Prescription
Formula Documentation Form (WIC-53) prior to issuance of drafts for the
special formula. The form may be obtained from the local WIC clinic. The form must
be completed by a physician or health care provider with prescriptive
authority. It must include the participant’s name, diagnosis, formula
prescribed, and original signature/date. A signature stamp will not be
accepted.
The form may either be returned to the participant to give to WIC
staff, or mailed directly to the WIC clinic. The form may be faxed to the
WIC clinic, with the original sent by mail, when the participant must
receive issuance of drafts for the formula quickly.
Any special formula can be issued in either concentrate or powder form,
provided it is manufactured in that form. The issuance of a ready-to-feed
formula is limited to exceptions when there is an unsanitary or restricted
water supply, there is poor refrigeration, the infant caretaker may have
difficulty in correctly diluting a concentrated liquid or powdered
product, or the product is available in only a ready-to-feed form.
A WIC participant who is prescribed a special formula, or a woman or
child on any formula may receive one month issuance with a prescription
pad that includes the participant’s name, diagnosis, formula prescribed,
and original signature/date. For issuance beyond 30 days, the WV WIC
Prescription Formula Documentation Form (WIC-53) must be completed.
Please contact the Nutrition Coordinator for the WV WIC Program at
304-558-0030 with any questions.
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