$21,238.41 consulting Payment -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals to Dr. Lisa Garcia
Pediatrician receives substantial consulting fee from Vertex Pharmaceuticals for Revlimid-related services.
This page provides a detailed analysis of a $21,238.41 consulting payment from Vertex Pharmaceuticals to Dr. Lisa Garcia. Data is from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database.
Payment Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Amount | $21,238.41 |
| Payment Type | consulting |
| Payment Nature | Consulting Fee |
| Pharmaceutical Company | Vertex Pharmaceuticals |
| Physician | Dr. Lisa Garcia |
| NPI Number | 1668698888 |
| Physician Specialty | Pediatrics |
| Location | Flint, MI |
| Date of Payment | 2024-05-01 |
| Related Drug/Device | Revlimid |
| Conflict Assessment | High -- Significant |
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.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals made a $21.2K consulting payment to Lisa Garcia, a Pediatrics specialist in Flint, MI. The payment was associated with Revlimid. The payment of $21,238.41 to Dr. Lisa Garcia for consulting services is a significant amount for a pediatrician. The payment was made by Vertex Pharmaceuticals, a company known for developing treatments for cystic fibrosis and other serious diseases. The specific drug or device mentioned, Revlimid, is primarily used for treating multiple myeloma and certain other cancers, which is outside the typical scope of pediatrics.
Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You
If you are a patient of Dr. Garcia, this payment information may help you understand potential influences on medical advice, though it does not necessarily indicate any wrongdoing. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.
Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?
A consulting fee of over $21,000 for a pediatrician is unusual, as pediatricians typically do not consult on drugs like Revlimid, which are primarily for adult oncology.
Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements
Physicians are required to report payments received from pharmaceutical companies, and these payments are subject to scrutiny to ensure they do not improperly influence medical practice.
Related Topics
This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:
- pharmaceutical-payments
- physician-compensation
- pediatrics
- consulting-fees
- vertex-pharmaceuticals
- revlimid
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
What was this $21.2K payment for?
This was a consulting payment of $21.2K from Vertex Pharmaceuticals to Lisa Garcia, categorized as "Consulting Fee". It was associated with Revlimid. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).
Does Lisa Garcia accept pharmaceutical money?
Yes, Lisa Garcia received this $21.2K payment from Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Lisa Garcia'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 consulting payment?
A consulting payment of $21.2K may reflect legitimate advisory services the physician provides. 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 Pediatrics?
To compare this payment against Pediatrics averages, check the full specialty breakdown on CMS Open Payments. Payment amounts vary widely by specialty and type. Pediatrics 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 Lisa Garcia's relationship with Vertex Pharmaceuticals?
The payment amount is notably high for a pediatrician, especially when considering the drug's primary indication. This $21.2K consulting payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.
Is this payment amount typical for Pediatrics?
The listed drug, Revlimid, is not commonly prescribed or associated with pediatric care.
What should patients do after learning about this payment?
If you are a patient of Dr. Garcia, this payment information may help you understand potential influences on medical advice, though it does not necessarily indicate any wrongdoing.
What else should I know about this consulting payment?
The payment was made for 'Consulting Fee' and 'consulting' services, suggesting a potential advisory role.
Related Reports
Data from CMS Open Payments. Payment does not imply wrongdoing. Consult your healthcare provider about any concerns.