$18,012.05 consulting Payment -- Amgen Inc to Dr. Scott Collins
Oncology Physician Receives $18,012 Consulting Fee from Amgen for Wegovy Engagement
This page provides a detailed analysis of a $18,012.05 consulting payment from Amgen Inc to Dr. Scott Collins. Data is from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database.
Payment Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Amount | $18,012.05 |
| Payment Type | consulting |
| Payment Nature | Consulting Fee |
| Pharmaceutical Company | Amgen Inc |
| Physician | Dr. Scott Collins |
| NPI Number | 1633144076 |
| Physician Specialty | Oncology |
| Location | Jersey City, NJ |
| Date of Payment | 2024-05-06 |
| Related Drug/Device | Wegovy |
| 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.
Amgen Inc made a $18.0K consulting payment to Scott Collins, a Oncology specialist in Jersey City, NJ. The payment was associated with Wegovy. The total payment of $18,012.05 to Dr. Scott Collins from Amgen Inc. is for consulting services related to Wegovy. This payment was made on May 6, 2024, indicating a recent engagement between the physician and the pharmaceutical company. The payment falls under the 'consulting' category, suggesting Dr. Collins provided expert advice or services to Amgen.
Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You
If you are a patient of Dr. Collins, this payment relates to his professional consulting work with Amgen and may not directly impact your personal care. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.
Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?
Consulting fees are common in the pharmaceutical industry, but the specific amount and nature of this engagement should be considered in the context of typical compensation for oncologists providing expert advice.
Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements
Payments to physicians from pharmaceutical companies are subject to disclosure under the Open Payments program, designed to increase transparency in financial relationships.
Related Topics
This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:
- pharmaceutical-payments
- physician-compensation
- consulting-fees
- oncology
- amgen
- wegovy
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 $18.0K payment for?
This was a consulting payment of $18.0K from Amgen Inc to Scott Collins, categorized as "Consulting Fee". It was associated with Wegovy. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).
Does Scott Collins accept pharmaceutical money?
Yes, Scott Collins received this $18.0K payment from Amgen Inc. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Scott Collins'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 $18.0K 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 Oncology?
To compare this payment against Oncology averages, check the full specialty breakdown on CMS Open Payments. Payment amounts vary widely by specialty and type. Oncology 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 Scott Collins's relationship with Amgen Inc?
The payment amount is substantial, suggesting a significant consulting role or duration. This $18.0K consulting payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.
Is this payment amount typical for Oncology?
The specific drug mentioned, Wegovy, is a weight-loss medication, which may or may not be directly related to Dr. Collins' primary oncology practice.
What should patients do after learning about this payment?
If you are a patient of Dr. Collins, this payment relates to his professional consulting work with Amgen and may not directly impact your personal care.
What else should I know about this consulting payment?
The payment was made directly to the physician, not through an institution.
Related Reports
Data from CMS Open Payments. Payment does not imply wrongdoing. Consult your healthcare provider about any concerns.