$21,196.45 consulting Payment -- Pfizer Inc to Dr. Stephanie King

Payment Details

AI-Powered Analysis of This Payment

The following analysis was generated by artificial intelligence to help patients understand the context, significance, and implications of this pharmaceutical payment. This analysis is not medical or legal advice.

This payment of $21,196.45 from Pfizer Inc. to Dr. Stephanie King, a cardiologist in City, MO, on February 18, 2026, was for consulting services related to the drug Rinvoq. Consulting fees are common in the pharmaceutical industry, where companies engage physicians to provide expertise on drug development, clinical trial design, marketing strategies, and medical education. The amount, while substantial, is not necessarily out of line for a cardiologist providing specialized consulting, especially if it involved significant time commitment or expertise. However, any payment from a pharmaceutical company to a physician, particularly one prescribing their medications, can raise questions about potential conflicts of interest. The Sunshine Act, part of the Affordable Care Act, requires disclosure of these payments to promote transparency. While this payment itself doesn't indicate wrongdoing, it's important for patients to be aware of these relationships. Dr. King's specialty is cardiology, and Rinvoq is a medication used to treat certain inflammatory conditions, which can include cardiovascular complications or be prescribed to patients with heart conditions. This payment is a single data point; understanding the full scope of Dr. King's relationships with pharmaceutical companies would involve reviewing all disclosed payments. The average payment to cardiologists can vary widely, but consulting fees can be significant. Patients should feel empowered to discuss these relationships with their doctors to ensure their care remains focused on their best interests, free from undue influence.

Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You

It's understandable to wonder about payments between pharmaceutical companies and your doctor. This $21,196.45 payment to Dr. King from Pfizer for consulting on Rinvoq is a disclosed transaction under the Sunshine Act. While consulting is a legitimate way for companies to gain medical insights, it's crucial to ensure your doctor's prescribing decisions are based solely on your health needs. Don't hesitate to ask Dr. King directly about this relationship. You could say, 'I saw you received a consulting payment from Pfizer for Rinvoq. Can you tell me more about that engagement and how it informs your approach to prescribing this medication?' Understanding the nature of the consulting is key. If the payment was for providing expert advice on drug development or patient education, it's generally considered routine. However, if it feels like compensation for prescribing decisions, that warrants closer attention. Remember, transparency is key to trust. Most doctors are open to discussing these relationships, and open communication can help alleviate concerns and ensure your care is patient-centered.

Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?

Cardiology is a field where physicians often engage with pharmaceutical companies due to the prevalence of cardiovascular medications and devices. Payments for consulting can range from a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the scope and duration of the engagement. While a significant portion of cardiologists may receive some form of payment or transfer of value, the exact percentage varies annually and by type of payment. This specific $21,196.45 payment for consulting is on the higher end for a single transaction but falls within the plausible range for specialized expertise.

Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements

The Sunshine Act, enacted as part of the Affordable Care Act, mandates that pharmaceutical and medical device companies report payments and other transfers of value made to physicians and teaching hospitals. These disclosures are made publicly available through the CMS Open Payments database. The reporting threshold is generally $10 or more. Consulting fees, like the one paid to Dr. King, are explicitly covered under these reporting requirements. While there isn't a specific 'special scrutiny' for consulting fees versus other payment types, the aggregate data is reviewed for patterns that might suggest undue influence.

Related Topics

This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:

• pharma-payments
• cardiology
• consulting-fees
• sunshine-act
• rinvoq
• pfizer
• conflict-of-interest

Understanding consulting Payments

Consulting payments are made when pharmaceutical companies hire physicians as advisors or consultants. This can include serving on advisory boards, providing expert medical opinions on drug development or marketing strategies, and reviewing clinical data. Consulting is one of the most common forms of pharmaceutical payment to physicians and can range from a few hundred dollars for a brief consultation to tens of thousands of dollars for ongoing advisory relationships.

Frequently Asked Questions About This Payment

Does my doctor take pharma money?

You can check if your doctor has received payments from pharmaceutical or medical device companies by visiting the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payments database online. You'll need your doctor's name and NPI (National Provider Identifier) number, which is 1358383109 for Dr. Stephanie King. The database lists payments made, the company that paid, the amount, and the reason for the payment (e.g., consulting, speaking, meals). Seeing payments doesn't automatically mean your doctor's decisions are compromised, but it does mean transparency is available. It's a tool to foster informed conversations about your care.

Should I worry about this payment?

This specific payment of $21,196.45 to Dr. King from Pfizer for consulting on Rinvoq is a substantial amount for a single engagement. While consulting is a legitimate activity, the size of the payment warrants awareness. It's important to consider the context: was this for extensive research, advisory board participation, or something else? The key is to ensure that this relationship doesn't influence prescribing decisions away from what's best for you. If you have concerns, discuss them openly with Dr. King. Most physicians are transparent and can explain the nature of their relationship with drug companies.

What types of pharma payments are most concerning?

Payments that raise the most concern are often those that appear to be direct compensation for prescribing a specific drug, such as speaker fees for promoting a drug to colleagues, or large consulting fees that don't clearly align with legitimate educational or research activities. Meals and travel expenses, while often smaller, can also be concerning if they seem excessive or are tied to specific drug promotions. Payments for research or clinical trials are generally viewed differently, as they are often integral to drug development. Transparency is key; understanding the purpose behind any payment is crucial.

How do I talk to my doctor about pharma relationships?

Start by stating what you've observed. You could say, 'I was looking at the Open Payments database and saw that you've received payments from pharmaceutical companies. I'm curious to understand more about these relationships.' Ask specific questions like, 'How do these relationships inform your prescribing decisions?' or 'Can you explain the nature of the consulting work you do with drug companies?' Frame it as a desire to understand your care better. Most doctors welcome these conversations and can provide context. The goal is to ensure you feel confident that your treatment plan is based on your medical needs, not industry influence.

Is it legal for doctors to accept pharma payments?

Yes, it is legal for doctors to accept payments from pharmaceutical and medical device companies, provided these payments are accurately reported under the Sunshine Act. The Act requires companies to disclose payments for activities like consulting, speaking, research, meals, and travel. The legality hinges on transparency and the nature of the payment. Payments must be for legitimate services or items, not simply inducements to prescribe certain products. The Open Payments database exists to make these financial relationships public, allowing patients and the public to assess potential influences.

Does pharma money affect what my doctor prescribes?

Research suggests that financial relationships between doctors and pharmaceutical companies can influence prescribing patterns. Doctors who receive payments may be more likely to prescribe the drugs made by the companies they have relationships with. This influence can be subtle and may not always be conscious. However, it's important to remember that many payments are for legitimate activities like research or providing expert advice. The key is to be aware of these potential influences and to have open conversations with your doctor about why certain medications are recommended for you.

How does this compare to other doctors in this specialty?

Cardiology is a specialty with significant interaction with the pharmaceutical industry, given the number of medications and devices used. While many cardiologists receive payments, the amount and frequency vary greatly. A single consulting payment of $21,196.45 is on the higher side for a one-time engagement, but it's not uncommon for cardiologists to receive substantial compensation for specialized consulting, advisory roles, or speaking engagements over time. The Open Payments database shows a wide range of payment amounts within this field, making this payment notable but not necessarily an outlier in the broader context of industry-physician financial ties.

Related Reports

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