$114,032.27 ownership Payment -- Pfizer Inc to Dr. Stephanie King
Pfizer Inc Reports $114,032 Ownership Interest to Internal Medicine Physician
This page provides a detailed analysis of a $114,032.27 ownership payment from Pfizer Inc to Dr. Stephanie King. Data is from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database.
Payment Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Amount | $114,032.27 |
| Payment Type | ownership |
| Payment Nature | Ownership or Investment Interest |
| Pharmaceutical Company | Pfizer Inc |
| Physician | Dr. Stephanie King |
| NPI Number | 1603305653 |
| Physician Specialty | Internal Medicine |
| Location | Los Angeles, CA |
| Date of Payment | 2025-08-08 |
| 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.
Pfizer Inc made a $114.0K ownership payment to Stephanie King, a Internal Medicine specialist in Los Angeles, CA. Pfizer Inc reported a significant ownership interest payment of $114,032.27 to Dr. Stephanie King, an Internal Medicine physician in Los Angeles, CA. The payment, categorized as 'Ownership or Investment Interest', was made on August 8, 2025. This record highlights a substantial financial relationship between a major pharmaceutical company and a practicing physician.
Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You
Patients should be aware that their physicians may have financial relationships with pharmaceutical companies, such as ownership interests, which could influence treatment decisions. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.
Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?
Ownership interests are a distinct category of payment from typical consulting fees and can represent a more significant financial tie between pharma and physicians.
Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements
Payments for ownership or investment interests are reportable under the Physician Payments Sunshine Act, requiring disclosure of financial relationships between drug manufacturers and physicians.
Related Topics
This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:
- ownership-interest
- pharmaceutical-payments
- physician-compensation
- pfizer-inc
- internal-medicine
- cms-open-payments
Understanding ownership Payments
Ownership and investment interest payments represent dividends, returns, or other financial benefits from physician ownership stakes in pharmaceutical or medical device companies. These relationships represent the most direct form of financial interest and are subject to the strictest reporting requirements under the Sunshine Act.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Payment
What was this $114.0K payment for?
This was a ownership payment of $114.0K from Pfizer Inc to Stephanie King, categorized as "Ownership or Investment Interest". The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).
Does Stephanie King accept pharmaceutical money?
Yes, Stephanie King received this $114.0K payment from Pfizer Inc. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Stephanie King'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 ownership payment?
A ownership payment of $114.0K 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 Internal Medicine?
To compare this payment against Internal Medicine averages, check the full specialty breakdown on CMS Open Payments. Payment amounts vary widely by specialty and type. Internal Medicine 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 Stephanie King's relationship with Pfizer Inc?
The payment amount is substantial, exceeding typical consulting or speaking fees. This $114.0K ownership payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.
Is this payment amount typical for Internal Medicine?
The payment type is 'Ownership or Investment Interest', indicating a potential for profit sharing.
What should patients do after learning about this payment?
Patients should be aware that their physicians may have financial relationships with pharmaceutical companies, such as ownership interests, which could influence treatment decisions.
What else should I know about this ownership payment?
The date of payment is in the future (2025), which may indicate a planned or ongoing arrangement.
Related Reports
Data from CMS Open Payments. Payment does not imply wrongdoing. Consult your healthcare provider about any concerns.