$101,083.74 research Payment -- AbbVie Inc to Dr. Richard Brown
AbbVie Inc. disburses substantial research funding to Arizona Rheumatologist Dr. Richard Brown.
This page provides a detailed analysis of a $101,083.74 research payment from AbbVie Inc to Dr. Richard Brown. Data is from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database.
Payment Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Amount | $101,083.74 |
| Payment Type | research |
| Payment Nature | Research |
| Pharmaceutical Company | AbbVie Inc |
| Physician | Dr. Richard Brown |
| NPI Number | 1548687652 |
| Physician Specialty | Rheumatology |
| Location | City, AZ |
| Date of Payment | 2026-02-28 |
| 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 $101.1K research payment to Richard Brown, a Rheumatology specialist in City, AZ. AbbVie Inc. made a significant research payment of over $100,000 to Dr. Richard Brown, a Rheumatologist in Arizona. The payment, totaling $101,083.74, was designated for research purposes. This payment occurred on February 28, 2026, indicating a future transaction.
Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You
Patients should be aware that research payments to physicians can support the development of new treatments for conditions like arthritis and autoimmune diseases. 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 pharmaceutical industry, particularly for clinical trials and drug development within specialties like Rheumatology.
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 physicians.
Related Topics
This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:
- pharmaceutical-payments
- research-funding
- rheumatology
- physician-payments
- abbvie-inc
- 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 $101.1K payment for?
This was a research payment of $101.1K from AbbVie Inc to Richard Brown, categorized as "Research". The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).
Does Richard Brown accept pharmaceutical money?
Yes, Richard Brown received this $101.1K payment from AbbVie Inc. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Richard Brown'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 $101.1K 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 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 Richard Brown's relationship with AbbVie Inc?
The payment amount is substantial, exceeding $100,000. This $101.1K research payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.
Is this payment amount typical for Rheumatology?
The payment type is specifically 'research', aligning with the payment nature.
What should patients do after learning about this payment?
Patients should be aware that research payments to physicians can support the development of new treatments for conditions like arthritis and autoimmune diseases.
What else should I know about this research payment?
The payment date is in the future (2026), which is unusual for historical data analysis.
Related Reports
Data from CMS Open Payments. Payment does not imply wrongdoing. Consult your healthcare provider about any concerns.