$119,252.57 ownership Payment -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals to Dr. Richard Brown
Pulmonologist Richard Brown Holds Significant Ownership Interest in Vertex Pharmaceuticals
This page provides a detailed analysis of a $119,252.57 ownership payment from Vertex Pharmaceuticals to Dr. Richard Brown. Data is from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database.
Payment Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Amount | $119,252.57 |
| Payment Type | ownership |
| Payment Nature | Ownership or Investment Interest |
| Pharmaceutical Company | Vertex Pharmaceuticals |
| Physician | Dr. Richard Brown |
| NPI Number | 1255789290 |
| Physician Specialty | Pulmonology |
| Location | City, MN |
| Date of Payment | 2024-12-25 |
| Related Drug/Device | Kisqali |
| Conflict Assessment | High -- Significant |
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 $119.3K ownership payment to Richard Brown, a Pulmonology specialist in City, MN. The payment was associated with Kisqali. Richard Brown received a substantial ownership interest payment of $119,252.57 from Vertex Pharmaceuticals. The payment is categorized as an 'Ownership or Investment Interest', indicating a financial stake rather than a direct payment for services. This significant investment is linked to Kisqali, a drug relevant to the pulmonology specialty.
Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You
This information relates to financial interests physicians may have in pharmaceutical companies, which could potentially influence their prescribing decisions. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.
Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?
Ownership interests can represent a significant financial relationship between physicians and pharmaceutical companies, potentially exceeding typical consulting or speaking fees common in pulmonology.
Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements
Physicians must disclose ownership interests in pharmaceutical companies as required by the Physician Payments Sunshine Act to ensure transparency in healthcare.
Related Topics
This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:
- ownership-interest
- pharma-investment
- pulmonology
- vertex-pharmaceuticals
- kisqali
- physician-payment
Understanding ownership Payments
Ownership and investment interest payments represent dividends, returns, or other financial benefits from physician ownership stakes in pharmaceutical or medical device companies. These relationships represent the most direct form of financial interest and are subject to the strictest reporting requirements under the Sunshine Act.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Payment
What was this $119.3K payment for?
This was a ownership payment of $119.3K from Vertex Pharmaceuticals to Richard Brown, categorized as "Ownership or Investment Interest". It was associated with Kisqali. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).
Does Richard Brown accept pharmaceutical money?
Yes, Richard Brown received this $119.3K payment from Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Richard Brown'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 ownership payment?
A ownership payment of $119.3K should be evaluated in context. 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 Richard Brown's relationship with Vertex Pharmaceuticals?
The payment amount is notably high for an ownership interest. This $119.3K ownership payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.
Is this payment amount typical for Pulmonology?
The payment date is in the future (December 25, 2024), which may indicate a scheduled transaction or reporting anomaly.
What should patients do after learning about this payment?
This information relates to financial interests physicians may have in pharmaceutical companies, which could potentially influence their prescribing decisions.
What else should I know about this ownership payment?
The specific drug, Kisqali, is mentioned in relation to the ownership interest.
Related Reports
Data from CMS Open Payments. Payment does not imply wrongdoing. Consult your healthcare provider about any concerns.