$16,164.48 consulting Payment -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals to Dr. Elizabeth Roberts

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 $16.2K consulting payment to Elizabeth Roberts, a Pediatrics specialist in Albany, NY. The payment was associated with Eylea. The payment of $16,164.48 to Dr. Roberts for consulting services is a significant amount for a single payment. The payment was made by Vertex Pharmaceuticals, a company known for developing treatments for cystic fibrosis and other serious diseases. The consulting fee was related to Eylea, a drug primarily used for eye conditions, which may not align with Vertex Pharmaceuticals' typical focus areas.

Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You

Patients should be aware that their doctors may receive payments from pharmaceutical companies for consulting services, which could potentially influence treatment recommendations. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.

Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?

While consulting fees are common, a payment of this size to a pediatrician for services related to a drug typically used in ophthalmology warrants further investigation into the nature of the consultation.

Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements

Physicians must disclose all payments received from pharmaceutical companies as required by the Sunshine Act to ensure transparency in healthcare.

Related Topics

This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:

• pharmaceutical-payments
• physician-compensation
• consulting-fees
• drug-marketing
• open-payments-data
• pediatrics

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 $16.2K payment for?

This was a consulting payment of $16.2K from Vertex Pharmaceuticals to Elizabeth Roberts, categorized as "Consulting Fee". It was associated with Eylea. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).

Does Elizabeth Roberts accept pharmaceutical money?

Yes, Elizabeth Roberts received this $16.2K payment from Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Elizabeth Roberts'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 $16.2K 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 Elizabeth Roberts's relationship with Vertex Pharmaceuticals?

The payment amount is substantial for a consulting fee. This $16.2K consulting payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.

Is this payment amount typical for Pediatrics?

The payment date is in the future (February 14, 2025).

What should patients do after learning about this payment?

Patients should be aware that their doctors may receive payments from pharmaceutical companies for consulting services, which could potentially influence treatment recommendations.

What else should I know about this consulting payment?

The drug Eylea is typically associated with ophthalmology, not pediatrics.

Related Reports

• View Dr. Elizabeth Roberts's full payment report
• Vertex Pharmaceuticals full spending report
• Browse all Pediatrics payments
• Browse all payments in New York
• Search for other payments