$155,098.53 research Payment -- AbbVie Inc to Dr. Elizabeth Roberts
AbbVie Inc. disburses over $155,000 for Ocrevus research to a Georgia-based neurologist.
This page provides a detailed analysis of a $155,098.53 research payment from AbbVie Inc to Dr. Elizabeth Roberts. Data is from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database.
Payment Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Amount | $155,098.53 |
| Payment Type | research |
| Payment Nature | Research |
| Pharmaceutical Company | AbbVie Inc |
| Physician | Dr. Elizabeth Roberts |
| NPI Number | 1054586766 |
| Physician Specialty | Neurology |
| Location | Augusta, GA |
| Date of Payment | 2025-06-14 |
| Related Drug/Device | Ocrevus |
| Conflict Assessment | Moderate -- Worth Noting |
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.
AbbVie Inc made a $155.1K research payment to Elizabeth Roberts, a Neurology specialist in Augusta, GA. The payment was associated with Ocrevus. AbbVie Inc. made a significant research payment of $155,098.53 to Dr. Elizabeth Roberts, a neurologist. The payment is associated with research related to Ocrevus, a drug manufactured by AbbVie. This payment occurred on June 14, 2025, and was made to a practitioner in Augusta, GA.
Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You
This payment is for research purposes and may contribute to the development of new treatments for neurological conditions. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.
Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?
Research payments of this magnitude are not uncommon in the neurology field, especially for novel drug development.
Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements
This payment falls under the Sunshine Act provisions of the Affordable Care Act, requiring disclosure of financial relationships between drug manufacturers and healthcare providers.
Related Topics
This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:
- pharmaceutical-research-payment
- neurology-drug-development
- abbvie-inc
- ocrevus-research
- physician-payment-data
- cms-open-payments
Understanding research Payments
Research payments fund clinical trials, research studies, and investigator-initiated research conducted by physicians. These payments are often the largest category and represent a critical part of the drug development process. Research funding is generally considered the most legitimate form of pharmaceutical payment, though potential conflicts of interest can still arise when researchers have financial relationships with the companies whose products they study.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Payment
What was this $155.1K payment for?
This was a research payment of $155.1K from AbbVie Inc to Elizabeth Roberts, categorized as "Research". It was associated with Ocrevus. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).
Does Elizabeth Roberts accept pharmaceutical money?
Yes, Elizabeth Roberts received this $155.1K payment from AbbVie Inc. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Elizabeth Roberts'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 research payment?
A research payment of $155.1K typically funds clinical studies and is considered standard academic activity. 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 Neurology?
To compare this payment against Neurology averages, check the full specialty breakdown on CMS Open Payments. Payment amounts vary widely by specialty and type. Neurology 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 Elizabeth Roberts's relationship with AbbVie Inc?
The payment amount is substantial, indicating a significant research investment. This $155.1K research payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.
Is this payment amount typical for Neurology?
The payment type is specifically 'research', aligning with the 'Research' payment nature.
What should patients do after learning about this payment?
This payment is for research purposes and may contribute to the development of new treatments for neurological conditions.
What else should I know about this research payment?
The recipient, Dr. Elizabeth Roberts, is a neurologist, a specialty often involved in drug research.
Related Reports
Data from CMS Open Payments. Payment does not imply wrongdoing. Consult your healthcare provider about any concerns.