$2,533.41 travel Payment -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals to Dr. Daniel White

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.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals made a $2.5K travel payment to Daniel White, a Pediatrics specialist in Tampa, FL. The payment was associated with Ocrevus. The payment of $2,533.41 to Dr. Daniel White for travel and lodging related to Ocrevus is a significant expense for a single payment. The payment was made by Vertex Pharmaceuticals, a company known for its work in cystic fibrosis and other genetic diseases. The recipient, Dr. Daniel White, specializes in Pediatrics, and the payment is associated with Ocrevus, a drug used to treat multiple sclerosis.

Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You

If you are a patient receiving care from Dr. White, this payment may cover expenses related to educational events or consultations about treatments. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.

Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?

For a pediatrician, a $2,533.41 travel and lodging payment associated with a multiple sclerosis drug like Ocrevus is unusual and may warrant further review compared to typical pediatric practice expenses.

Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements

Payments for travel and lodging must be reported under the Sunshine Act, and physicians should ensure these payments are for legitimate educational purposes and do not influence prescribing habits.

Related Topics

This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:

• cms-open-payments
• pharma-payments
• travel-lodging
• vertex-pharmaceuticals
• ocrevus
• pediatrics

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 $2.5K payment for?

This was a travel payment of $2.5K from Vertex Pharmaceuticals to Daniel White, categorized as "Travel and Lodging". It was associated with Ocrevus. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).

Does Daniel White accept pharmaceutical money?

Yes, Daniel White received this $2.5K payment from Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Daniel White'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 $2.5K 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 Pediatrics?

To compare this payment against Pediatrics averages, check the full specialty breakdown on CMS Open Payments. Payment amounts vary widely by specialty and type. Pediatrics 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 Daniel White's relationship with Vertex Pharmaceuticals?

The payment amount is relatively high for a single travel and lodging expense. This $2.5K travel payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.

Is this payment amount typical for Pediatrics?

The specialty (Pediatrics) and the drug (Ocrevus, for MS) appear mismatched, warranting further investigation.

What should patients do after learning about this payment?

If you are a patient receiving care from Dr. White, this payment may cover expenses related to educational events or consultations about treatments.

What else should I know about this travel payment?

The payment was made by Vertex Pharmaceuticals, which does not typically market Ocrevus.

Related Reports

• View Dr. Daniel White's full payment report
• Vertex Pharmaceuticals full spending report
• Browse all Pediatrics payments
• Browse all payments in Florida
• Search for other payments