$17,571.61 consulting Payment -- Gilead Sciences to Dr. Nicole Lopez
Pulmonologist Nicole Lopez Receives $17,571 Consulting Fee from Gilead Sciences for Farxiga
This page provides a detailed analysis of a $17,571.61 consulting payment from Gilead Sciences to Dr. Nicole Lopez. Data is from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database.
Payment Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Amount | $17,571.61 |
| Payment Type | consulting |
| Payment Nature | Consulting Fee |
| Pharmaceutical Company | Gilead Sciences |
| Physician | Dr. Nicole Lopez |
| NPI Number | 1231865714 |
| Physician Specialty | Pulmonology |
| Location | City, LA |
| Date of Payment | 2025-08-29 |
| Related Drug/Device | Farxiga |
| Conflict Assessment | Moderate -- Worth Noting |
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 $17.6K consulting payment to Nicole Lopez, a Pulmonology specialist in City, LA. The payment was associated with Farxiga. The payment of $17,571.61 to Dr. Nicole Lopez for consulting services related to Farxiga is a significant amount. This payment falls under 'Consulting Fee' and was made by Gilead Sciences. The payment date is set for August 29, 2025, indicating a future transaction.
Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You
This payment is for consulting services related to a medication. It is important to understand the nature of the consultation and how it may influence medical advice. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.
Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?
While consulting fees are common in the pharmaceutical industry, the amount of $17,571.61 for a single engagement in pulmonology may be higher than average, depending on the scope of work.
Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements
Payments to physicians for consulting services are subject to reporting under the Sunshine Act (part of the Affordable Care Act), requiring disclosure of the nature of the payment and the amount.
Related Topics
This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:
- pharma-payments
- consulting-fees
- gilead-sciences
- nicole-lopez
- pulmonology
- farxiga
- open-payments
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 $17.6K payment for?
This was a consulting payment of $17.6K from Gilead Sciences to Nicole Lopez, categorized as "Consulting Fee". It was associated with Farxiga. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).
Does Nicole Lopez accept pharmaceutical money?
Yes, Nicole Lopez received this $17.6K payment from Gilead Sciences. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Nicole Lopez'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 $17.6K 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 Pulmonology?
To compare this payment against Pulmonology averages, check the full specialty breakdown on CMS Open Payments. Payment amounts vary widely by specialty and type. Pulmonology 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 Nicole Lopez's relationship with Gilead Sciences?
The payment is specifically for consulting services, not for speaking or research. This $17.6K consulting payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.
Is this payment amount typical for Pulmonology?
The amount is substantial for a single consulting engagement.
What should patients do after learning about this payment?
This payment is for consulting services related to a medication. It is important to understand the nature of the consultation and how it may influence medical advice.
What else should I know about this consulting payment?
The drug mentioned, Farxiga, is typically used for diabetes, but its application in pulmonology may warrant further investigation.
Related Reports
Data from CMS Open Payments. Payment does not imply wrongdoing. Consult your healthcare provider about any concerns.