$175.18 meals Payment -- Sanofi to Dr. Thomas Miller
Sanofi provided $175.18 in meals to Dr. Thomas Miller related to Humira.
This page provides a detailed analysis of a $175.18 meals payment from Sanofi to Dr. Thomas Miller. Data is from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database.
Payment Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Amount | $175.18 |
| Payment Type | meals |
| Payment Nature | Food and Beverage |
| Pharmaceutical Company | Sanofi |
| Physician | Dr. Thomas Miller |
| NPI Number | 1382039354 |
| Physician Specialty | Allergy & Immunology |
| Location | Buffalo, NY |
| Date of Payment | 2025-03-05 |
| Related Drug/Device | Humira |
| Conflict Assessment | Low -- Routine |
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.
Sanofi made a $175.18 meals payment to Thomas Miller, a Allergy & Immunology specialist in Buffalo, NY. The payment was associated with Humira. The payment of $175.18 to Dr. Thomas Miller was for meals provided by Sanofi. This payment was associated with the drug Humira, a treatment for various inflammatory conditions. The payment occurred on March 5, 2025, in Buffalo, NY.
Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You
This payment represents a meal provided by a pharmaceutical company, which is a common practice in medical education and engagement. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.
Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?
Meals provided by pharmaceutical companies to physicians are generally considered low-value interactions within the Allergy & Immunology specialty.
Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements
Payments for meals are subject to reporting requirements under the Sunshine Act, intended to promote transparency in the relationships between healthcare providers and industry.
Related Topics
This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:
- meals
- food-and-beverage
- sanofi
- humira
- allergy-immunology
- physician-payment
Understanding meals Payments
Food and beverage payments cover meals provided to physicians during pharmaceutical sales representative visits, medical conferences, and educational events. While individual meal payments tend to be small (often under $100), research published in JAMA Internal Medicine has shown that even modest meals can be associated with changes in prescribing behavior. Meal payments are the most common type of pharmaceutical payment to physicians.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Payment
What was this $175.18 payment for?
This was a meals payment of $175.18 from Sanofi to Thomas Miller, categorized as "Food and Beverage". It was associated with Humira. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).
Does Thomas Miller accept pharmaceutical money?
Yes, Thomas Miller received this $175.18 payment from Sanofi. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Thomas Miller's full payment history on the CMS Open Payments database or on this site.
Is it legal for doctors to accept pharma payments?
Yes, it is legal for physicians to receive payments from pharmaceutical companies. The Physician Payments Sunshine Act (2010) requires transparency by mandating that companies report all payments exceeding $10 to CMS. These payments include consulting fees, meals, travel, speaking fees, and research grants. The law does not prohibit payments but ensures public disclosure.
Should I be concerned about this meals payment?
A meals payment of $175.18 is generally routine and common in the industry. Payment does not imply wrongdoing, but patients have the right to ask their doctor about pharmaceutical relationships.
How do I talk to my doctor about pharma relationships?
You can ask your doctor directly: "Do you receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?" and "Does this affect which medications you prescribe?" Most doctors will answer honestly. You can also verify payment data yourself through CMS Open Payments (openpaymentsdata.cms.gov). Consider asking about generic alternatives and whether the prescribed medication is the best option regardless of manufacturer relationships.
What types of pharma payments are most concerning?
Ownership interests and large consulting/speaking fees are generally considered more significant than meals or small educational grants. Research payments typically fund clinical studies and are common in academic medicine. The total volume and concentration of payments from a single company may be more telling than any individual payment. Patterns matter more than individual transactions.
Does pharma money affect what my doctor prescribes?
Research shows that even small payments can influence prescribing behavior. Studies published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that physicians who received meals costing as little as $20 were more likely to prescribe the promoted brand-name drug. However, many physician-industry interactions are legitimate professional activities. The key is transparency and awareness.
How does this compare to other doctors in Allergy & Immunology?
To compare this payment against Allergy & Immunology averages, check the full specialty breakdown on CMS Open Payments. Payment amounts vary widely by specialty and type. Allergy & Immunology physicians may receive payments for consulting, speaking, or research that are standard for the field. Individual payments should be evaluated in the context of the doctor's full payment history.
What does this payment reveal about Thomas Miller's relationship with Sanofi?
The payment amount is relatively small, suggesting a routine interaction. This $175.18 meals payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.
Is this payment amount typical for Allergy & Immunology?
The payment type is 'meals', indicating a common form of engagement.
What should patients do after learning about this payment?
This payment represents a meal provided by a pharmaceutical company, which is a common practice in medical education and engagement.
What else should I know about this meals payment?
The drug 'Humira' is a biologic medication, often requiring significant physician education.
Related Reports
Data from CMS Open Payments. Payment does not imply wrongdoing. Consult your healthcare provider about any concerns.