$4,744.59 travel Payment -- Gilead Sciences to Dr. Andrew Young

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.

Gilead Sciences made a $4.7K travel payment to Andrew Young, a Pulmonology specialist in City, CO. The payment was associated with Stelara. The payment of $4,744.59 to Dr. Andrew Young from Gilead Sciences for travel and lodging related to Stelara is a significant amount for a single trip. This payment represents a substantial investment by Gilead Sciences in promoting or educating about Stelara, a drug used in Pulmonology. The travel and lodging nature of the payment suggests it may be for educational events, conferences, or speaker programs.

Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You

If you are a patient, understand that payments to your doctor for travel and lodging may be related to educational events or discussions about medications like Stelara. 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 $4,744.59 for a single event may be higher than average for Pulmonology, depending on the nature of the event.

Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements

Payments to physicians for travel and lodging must be reported under the Sunshine Act to ensure transparency in the relationships between healthcare providers and pharmaceutical companies.

Related Topics

This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:

• pharmaceutical-payments
• physician-compensation
• travel-expenses
• drug-promotion
• pulmonology
• gilead-sciences
• stelara

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 $4.7K payment for?

This was a travel payment of $4.7K from Gilead Sciences to Andrew Young, categorized as "Travel and Lodging". It was associated with Stelara. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).

Does Andrew Young accept pharmaceutical money?

Yes, Andrew Young received this $4.7K payment from Gilead Sciences. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Andrew Young'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 $4.7K 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 Pulmonology?

To compare this payment against Pulmonology averages, check the full specialty breakdown on CMS Open Payments. Payment amounts vary widely by specialty and type. Pulmonology 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 Andrew Young's relationship with Gilead Sciences?

The payment amount is notable for travel and lodging, potentially covering extensive travel or multiple attendees. This $4.7K travel payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.

Is this payment amount typical for Pulmonology?

The specific drug mentioned, Stelara, is associated with this payment, indicating a direct link to a pharmaceutical product.

What should patients do after learning about this payment?

If you are a patient, understand that payments to your doctor for travel and lodging may be related to educational events or discussions about medications like Stelara.

What else should I know about this travel payment?

The payment date is in the future (2025-11-27), which is unusual for reported CMS Open Payments data that typically reflects past transactions.

Related Reports

• View Dr. Andrew Young's full payment report
• Gilead Sciences full spending report
• Browse all Pulmonology payments
• Browse all payments in Colorado
• Search for other payments