Delivery packs optional

The Beijing Municipal Commission of Population and Family Planning recently banned hospitals from compelling pregnant women to buy "delivery packages," the Beijing News reported.

Delivery packages offer an assortment of products for expectant mothers, including breast pumps and clothing for newborns. According to the commission, hospitals have no right to set a price on these delivery packages and consumers have a choice about whether to use them.

The commission also required every hospital to provide sterile babies' clothing for health reasons.

Previous reports revealed that some hospitals had compelled patents to buy delivery packages at prices ranging from 150 yuan to 700 yuan. Whether the hospitals were making profit from the packages is under investigation.