$12.70 meals Payment -- Gilead Sciences to Dr. Paul Turner
Gilead Sciences provides a $12.70 meal to an HIV Medicine physician in Georgia.
This page provides a detailed analysis of a $12.70 meals payment from Gilead Sciences to Dr. Paul Turner. Data is from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database.
Payment Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Amount | $12.70 |
| Payment Type | meals |
| Payment Nature | Food and Beverage |
| Pharmaceutical Company | Gilead Sciences |
| Physician | Dr. Paul Turner |
| NPI Number | 1819145875 |
| Physician Specialty | HIV Medicine |
| Location | Augusta, GA |
| Date of Payment | 2024-04-24 |
| Conflict Assessment | Low -- Routine |
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 $12.70 meals payment to Paul Turner, a HIV Medicine specialist in Augusta, GA. Gilead Sciences provided a meal valued at $12.70 to Dr. Paul Turner, an HIV Medicine specialist in Augusta, GA. This payment occurred on April 24, 2024, and was categorized as 'Food and Beverage'. The payment ID is OP-MNIOIILY-IZT2CS, associated with NPI 1819145875.
Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You
This record shows a meal provided by a pharmaceutical company to a healthcare provider. It is important to understand how such interactions might influence medical advice. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.
Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?
Meals provided by pharmaceutical companies to physicians are common, especially in specialties like HIV Medicine where companies actively engage with prescribers.
Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements
Payments from pharmaceutical manufacturers to physicians, including meals, are reportable under the Sunshine Act (part of the Affordable Care Act) to promote transparency in healthcare.
Related Topics
This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:
- pharmaceutical-payments
- physician-engagement
- food-and-beverage
- gilead-sciences
- hiv-medicine
- open-payments
Understanding meals Payments
Food and beverage payments cover meals provided to physicians during pharmaceutical sales representative visits, medical conferences, and educational events. While individual meal payments tend to be small (often under $100), research published in JAMA Internal Medicine has shown that even modest meals can be associated with changes in prescribing behavior. Meal payments are the most common type of pharmaceutical payment to physicians.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Payment
What was this $12.70 payment for?
This was a meals payment of $12.70 from Gilead Sciences to Paul Turner, categorized as "Food and Beverage". The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).
Does Paul Turner accept pharmaceutical money?
Yes, Paul Turner received this $12.70 payment from Gilead Sciences. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Paul Turner'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 meals payment?
A meals payment of $12.70 is generally routine and common in the industry. 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 HIV Medicine?
To compare this payment against HIV Medicine averages, check the full specialty breakdown on CMS Open Payments. Payment amounts vary widely by specialty and type. HIV Medicine 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 Paul Turner's relationship with Gilead Sciences?
The payment is specifically for food and beverages, indicating a common promotional activity. This $12.70 meals payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.
Is this payment amount typical for HIV Medicine?
The amount is relatively small, suggesting a routine engagement rather than a significant expenditure.
What should patients do after learning about this payment?
This record shows a meal provided by a pharmaceutical company to a healthcare provider. It is important to understand how such interactions might influence medical advice.
What else should I know about this meals payment?
The payment was made to a physician specializing in HIV Medicine, a key area for Gilead Sciences.
Related Reports
Data from CMS Open Payments. Payment does not imply wrongdoing. Consult your healthcare provider about any concerns.