$41,604.91 research Payment -- Biogen to Dr. Maria Martinez

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.

Biogen made a $41.6K research payment to Maria Martinez, a Neurology specialist in City, AL. The payment was associated with Skyrizi. Biogen made a significant payment of $41,604.91 to Dr. Maria Martinez for research related to Skyrizi. The payment was made in December 2025, indicating a future research collaboration. This payment falls under the 'research' category, suggesting support for clinical trials or studies.

Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You

This payment supports research that may lead to new treatments or a better understanding of neurological conditions. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.

Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?

Payments for research are common in the pharmaceutical industry, especially for novel therapies like Skyrizi, and are often substantial to cover study costs.

Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements

Payments for research are subject to disclosure under the Sunshine Act, ensuring transparency in industry-physician financial relationships.

Related Topics

This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:

• biogen
• neurology
• research-payment
• skyrizi
• physician-payment
• pharmaceutical-research

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 $41.6K payment for?

This was a research payment of $41.6K from Biogen to Maria Martinez, categorized as "Research". It was associated with Skyrizi. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).

Does Maria Martinez accept pharmaceutical money?

Yes, Maria Martinez received this $41.6K payment from Biogen. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Maria Martinez'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 $41.6K 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 Maria Martinez's relationship with Biogen?

The payment amount is substantial, suggesting a significant research project. This $41.6K research payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.

Is this payment amount typical for Neurology?

The payment is designated for 'research', which is a common mechanism for pharma-physician collaboration.

What should patients do after learning about this payment?

This payment supports research that may lead to new treatments or a better understanding of neurological conditions.

What else should I know about this research payment?

The specific drug, Skyrizi, is noted, implying research focused on this particular therapy.

Related Reports

• View Dr. Maria Martinez's full payment report
• Biogen full spending report
• Browse all Neurology payments
• Browse all payments in Alabama
• Search for other payments