$4,248.48 travel Payment -- Allergan (AbbVie) to Dr. Richard Brown

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.

Allergan (AbbVie) made a $4.2K travel payment to Richard Brown, a Gastroenterology specialist in Savannah, GA. The payment was associated with Xarelto. The payment of $4,248.48 to Dr. Richard Brown from Allergan (AbbVie) for travel and lodging related to Xarelto is a significant expense. This payment occurred on June 22, 2025, indicating a recent engagement between the pharmaceutical company and the physician. The travel and lodging were associated with Xarelto, a medication within Allergan's portfolio, suggesting a focus on promoting this specific drug.

Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You

This payment was for travel and lodging expenses related to a pharmaceutical product. It's important to understand how such expenses might influence medical recommendations. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.

Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?

While travel and lodging payments are common in the pharmaceutical industry, the amount of $4,248.48 for a single event may be higher than average for Gastroenterology, depending on the duration and purpose of the travel.

Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements

Payments to physicians by pharmaceutical companies are subject to disclosure under the Sunshine Act, requiring transparency regarding financial relationships.

Related Topics

This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:

• pharmaceutical-payments
• physician-compensation
• travel-expenses
• drug-promotion
• gastroenterology
• allergan
• abbvie
• xarelto

Understanding travel Payments

Travel and lodging payments cover transportation and accommodation expenses for physicians attending conferences, advisory board meetings, or speaking engagements sponsored by pharmaceutical companies. These payments can be substantial, particularly for international travel or multi-day events.

Frequently Asked Questions About This Payment

What was this $4.2K payment for?

This was a travel payment of $4.2K from Allergan (AbbVie) to Richard Brown, categorized as "Travel and Lodging". It was associated with Xarelto. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).

Does Richard Brown accept pharmaceutical money?

Yes, Richard Brown received this $4.2K payment from Allergan (AbbVie). Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Richard Brown'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 travel payment?

A travel payment of $4.2K should be evaluated in context. 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 Gastroenterology?

To compare this payment against Gastroenterology averages, check the full specialty breakdown on CMS Open Payments. Payment amounts vary widely by specialty and type. Gastroenterology 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 Richard Brown's relationship with Allergan (AbbVie)?

The payment amount is substantial for travel and lodging, warranting further investigation into the nature of the travel. This $4.2K travel payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.

Is this payment amount typical for Gastroenterology?

The specific drug, Xarelto, is mentioned, highlighting a potential focus on product promotion.

What should patients do after learning about this payment?

This payment was for travel and lodging expenses related to a pharmaceutical product. It's important to understand how such expenses might influence medical recommendations.

What else should I know about this travel payment?

The payment was made by Allergan, now part of AbbVie, indicating a large pharmaceutical entity's involvement.

Related Reports

• View Dr. Richard Brown's full payment report
• Allergan (AbbVie) full spending report
• Browse all Gastroenterology payments
• Browse all payments in Georgia
• Search for other payments