$35,946.02 speaking Payment -- Amgen Inc to Dr. Robert Johnson
Rheumatologist Robert Johnson Earns Over $35,000 for Amgen Speaking Engagements on Humira
This page provides a detailed analysis of a $35,946.02 speaking payment from Amgen Inc to Dr. Robert Johnson. Data is from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database.
Payment Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Amount | $35,946.02 |
| Payment Type | speaking |
| Payment Nature | Compensation for serving as faculty or as a speaker |
| Pharmaceutical Company | Amgen Inc |
| Physician | Dr. Robert Johnson |
| NPI Number | 1543244023 |
| Physician Specialty | Rheumatology |
| Location | San Antonio, TX |
| Date of Payment | 2024-11-10 |
| Related Drug/Device | Humira |
| 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.
Amgen Inc made a $35.9K speaking payment to Robert Johnson, a Rheumatology specialist in San Antonio, TX. The payment was associated with Humira. Robert Johnson received $35,946.02 from Amgen Inc. for speaking engagements related to Humira. The payment was for serving as faculty or a speaker, indicating an educational or promotional role. This payment represents a significant financial relationship between the physician and a pharmaceutical company.
Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You
If you are a patient, understand that your doctor may receive compensation for educating others about medications like Humira, which is common in the rheumatology field. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.
Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?
For a Rheumatologist, receiving over $35,000 for speaking engagements from a company like Amgen, particularly concerning a major drug like Humira, is a high-value payment compared to typical speaker fees.
Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements
Payments for speaking engagements fall under the Sunshine Act's reporting requirements, intended to increase transparency in financial relationships between healthcare providers and the industry.
Related Topics
This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:
- speaking-fees
- pharmaceutical-payments
- rheumatology
- amgen
- humira
- physician-compensation
Understanding speaking Payments
Speaking and education payments compensate physicians for presenting at conferences, continuing medical education (CME) events, and promotional speaking engagements. These payments often cover honoraria, preparation time, and travel expenses. Speaking fees are among the highest-value payment categories and have attracted significant attention from researchers studying potential conflicts of interest.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Payment
What was this $35.9K payment for?
This was a speaking payment of $35.9K from Amgen Inc to Robert Johnson, categorized as "Compensation for serving as faculty or as a speaker". It was associated with Humira. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).
Does Robert Johnson accept pharmaceutical money?
Yes, Robert Johnson received this $35.9K payment from Amgen Inc. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Robert Johnson'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 speaking payment?
A speaking payment of $35.9K 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 Rheumatology?
To compare this payment against Rheumatology averages, check the full specialty breakdown on CMS Open Payments. Payment amounts vary widely by specialty and type. Rheumatology 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 Robert Johnson's relationship with Amgen Inc?
The payment amount is substantial, suggesting a considerable time commitment or perceived value for the speaking services. This $35.9K speaking payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.
Is this payment amount typical for Rheumatology?
The specific drug mentioned, Humira, is a widely used biologic for autoimmune conditions, highlighting the focus of the engagement.
What should patients do after learning about this payment?
If you are a patient, understand that your doctor may receive compensation for educating others about medications like Humira, which is common in the rheumatology field.
What else should I know about this speaking payment?
The payment date is in the future (November 10, 2024), which is unusual for reported payments and may indicate a future commitment or reporting anomaly.
Related Reports
Data from CMS Open Payments. Payment does not imply wrongdoing. Consult your healthcare provider about any concerns.