$124,149.86 research Payment -- Biogen to Dr. Scott Collins
Biogen's $124K research payment to a psychiatrist for Eylea raises questions
This page provides a detailed analysis of a $124,149.86 research payment from Biogen to Dr. Scott Collins. Data is from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database.
Payment Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Amount | $124,149.86 |
| Payment Type | research |
| Payment Nature | Research |
| Pharmaceutical Company | Biogen |
| Physician | Dr. Scott Collins |
| NPI Number | 1403258276 |
| Physician Specialty | Psychiatry |
| Location | Macon, GA |
| Date of Payment | 2026-01-31 |
| Related Drug/Device | Eylea |
| 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.
Biogen made a $124.1K research payment to Scott Collins, a Psychiatry specialist in Macon, GA. The payment was associated with Eylea. Biogen made a significant research payment of $124,149.86 to Dr. Scott Collins in Psychiatry. The payment was for research related to Eylea, a drug often used in ophthalmology, not typically psychiatry. This payment represents a substantial investment in research by Biogen, potentially for clinical trials or studies.
Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You
If you are involved in clinical research, ensure all payments received are for legitimate research activities and are properly disclosed. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.
Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?
Research payments of this magnitude are not uncommon in pharmaceutical development, but the specific drug-device and specialty pairing warrants attention.
Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements
Payments made to physicians for research must be reported under the Sunshine Act to ensure transparency in industry-physician relationships.
Related Topics
This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:
- biogen
- research-payment
- scott-collins
- psychiatry
- eylea
- cms-open-payments
Understanding research Payments
Research payments fund clinical trials, research studies, and investigator-initiated research conducted by physicians. These payments are often the largest category and represent a critical part of the drug development process. Research funding is generally considered the most legitimate form of pharmaceutical payment, though potential conflicts of interest can still arise when researchers have financial relationships with the companies whose products they study.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Payment
What was this $124.1K payment for?
This was a research payment of $124.1K from Biogen to Scott Collins, categorized as "Research". It was associated with Eylea. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).
Does Scott Collins accept pharmaceutical money?
Yes, Scott Collins received this $124.1K payment from Biogen. 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 research payment?
A research payment of $124.1K typically funds clinical studies and is considered standard academic activity. 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 Psychiatry?
To compare this payment against Psychiatry averages, check the full specialty breakdown on CMS Open Payments. Payment amounts vary widely by specialty and type. Psychiatry 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 Biogen?
The payment amount is substantial, indicating a significant research project. This $124.1K research payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.
Is this payment amount typical for Psychiatry?
The drug Eylea is primarily indicated for ophthalmic conditions, making its use in a psychiatric research context unusual.
What should patients do after learning about this payment?
If you are involved in clinical research, ensure all payments received are for legitimate research activities and are properly disclosed.
What else should I know about this research payment?
The payment date is in the future (2026-01-31), suggesting it may be an anticipated or ongoing research agreement.
Related Reports
Data from CMS Open Payments. Payment does not imply wrongdoing. Consult your healthcare provider about any concerns.