$4,780.40 travel Payment -- Gilead Sciences to Dr. Stephanie King

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.

Gilead Sciences made a $4.8K travel payment to Stephanie King, a Pulmonology specialist in Boston, MA. The payment was associated with Wegovy. The payment of $4,780.40 to Dr. Stephanie King for travel and lodging related to Wegovy is a significant expense. This payment was made by Gilead Sciences, a major pharmaceutical company. The travel occurred in Boston, MA, on November 18, 2024.

Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You

Patients should be aware that their healthcare providers may receive payments from pharmaceutical companies for travel and lodging expenses related to medications. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.

Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?

While travel payments are common in the pharmaceutical industry, the amount and nature of this payment for a drug not manufactured by the paying company warrant further investigation into the specific purpose.

Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements

Payments from pharmaceutical companies to physicians are subject to disclosure under the Sunshine Act, requiring transparency regarding financial relationships.

Related Topics

This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:

• pharmaceutical-payments
• physician-compensation
• travel-expenses
• drug-promotion
• pulmonology
• wegovy
• gilead-sciences

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 $4.8K payment for?

This was a travel payment of $4.8K from Gilead Sciences to Stephanie King, categorized as "Travel and Lodging". It was associated with Wegovy. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).

Does Stephanie King accept pharmaceutical money?

Yes, Stephanie King received this $4.8K payment from Gilead Sciences. 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 travel payment?

A travel payment of $4.8K 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 Pulmonology?

To compare this payment against Pulmonology averages, check the full specialty breakdown on CMS Open Payments. Payment amounts vary widely by specialty and type. Pulmonology 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 Gilead Sciences?

The payment covers 'Travel and Lodging', indicating an extended trip or multiple travel days. This $4.8K travel payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.

Is this payment amount typical for Pulmonology?

Wegovy is a weight-loss medication, suggesting the travel may be related to its promotion or research.

What should patients do after learning about this payment?

Patients should be aware that their healthcare providers may receive payments from pharmaceutical companies for travel and lodging expenses related to medications.

What else should I know about this travel payment?

The payment was made by Gilead Sciences, not Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Wegovy.

Related Reports

• View Dr. Stephanie King's full payment report
• Gilead Sciences full spending report
• Browse all Pulmonology payments
• Browse all payments in Massachusetts
• Search for other payments