$1,290.54 consulting Payment -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals to Dr. Scott Collins

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 $1.3K consulting payment to Scott Collins, a Pediatrics specialist in Austin, TX. The payment of $1,290.54 to Dr. Scott Collins was for consulting services. Vertex Pharmaceuticals made this payment on August 8, 2025. The payment was made to a pediatrician in Austin, TX.

Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You

This payment was for consulting services provided to Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.

Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?

Consulting fees for pediatricians can vary widely depending on the nature and duration of the services rendered.

Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements

This payment is reported under the CMS Open Payments program, which requires disclosure of payments made by drug and medical device companies to physicians and teaching hospitals.

Related Topics

This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:

• pharmaceutical-payments
• physician-compensation
• consulting-fees
• open-payments
• pediatrics
• vertex-pharmaceuticals

Understanding consulting Payments

Consulting payments are made when pharmaceutical companies hire physicians as advisors or consultants. This can include serving on advisory boards, providing expert medical opinions on drug development or marketing strategies, and reviewing clinical data. Consulting is one of the most common forms of pharmaceutical payment to physicians and can range from a few hundred dollars for a brief consultation to tens of thousands of dollars for ongoing advisory relationships.

Frequently Asked Questions About This Payment

What was this $1.3K payment for?

This was a consulting payment of $1.3K from Vertex Pharmaceuticals to Scott Collins, categorized as "Consulting Fee". The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).

Does Scott Collins accept pharmaceutical money?

Yes, Scott Collins received this $1.3K payment from Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Scott Collins'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 consulting payment?

A consulting payment of $1.3K may reflect legitimate advisory services the physician provides. 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 Scott Collins's relationship with Vertex Pharmaceuticals?

The payment amount is a specific figure, not a rounded number. This $1.3K consulting payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.

Is this payment amount typical for Pediatrics?

The payment type is 'consulting', indicating a service provided.

What should patients do after learning about this payment?

This payment was for consulting services provided to Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

What else should I know about this consulting payment?

The payment was made to a physician in the Pediatrics specialty.

Related Reports

• View Dr. Scott Collins's full payment report
• Vertex Pharmaceuticals full spending report
• Browse all Pediatrics payments
• Browse all payments in Texas
• Search for other payments