$2,591.79 travel Payment -- Teva Pharmaceuticals to Dr. Benjamin Cook

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.

Teva Pharmaceuticals made a $2.6K travel payment to Benjamin Cook, a Internal Medicine specialist in City, WI. The payment was associated with Keytruda. Benjamin Cook received $2,591.79 from Teva Pharmaceuticals for travel and lodging related to Keytruda. The payment was made on September 29, 2024, for travel and lodging expenses. This payment is associated with the drug Keytruda, indicating a potential focus on its promotion or education.

Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You

If you are a patient, understand that your doctor may receive payments for travel and lodging related to specific medications, which is publicly disclosed. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.

Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?

Payments for travel and lodging are common in Internal Medicine, often associated with educational events or consultations regarding specific drugs like Keytruda.

Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements

This payment falls under the Sunshine Act's reporting requirements for payments made by manufacturers to physicians.

Related Topics

This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:

• pharmaceutical-payments
• physician-compensation
• travel-expenses
• keytruda
• teva-pharmaceuticals
• internal-medicine

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 $2.6K payment for?

This was a travel payment of $2.6K from Teva Pharmaceuticals to Benjamin Cook, categorized as "Travel and Lodging". It was associated with Keytruda. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).

Does Benjamin Cook accept pharmaceutical money?

Yes, Benjamin Cook received this $2.6K payment from Teva Pharmaceuticals. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Benjamin Cook'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 $2.6K 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 Benjamin Cook's relationship with Teva Pharmaceuticals?

The payment amount of $2,591.79 is specifically for travel and lodging. This $2.6K travel payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.

Is this payment amount typical for Internal Medicine?

The payment was made by Teva Pharmaceuticals, a known pharmaceutical manufacturer.

What should patients do after learning about this payment?

If you are a patient, understand that your doctor may receive payments for travel and lodging related to specific medications, which is publicly disclosed.

What else should I know about this travel payment?

Dr. Benjamin Cook's specialty is Internal Medicine.

Related Reports

• View Dr. Benjamin Cook's full payment report
• Teva Pharmaceuticals full spending report
• Browse all Internal Medicine payments
• Browse all payments in Wisconsin
• Search for other payments