$2,857.72 general Payment -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals to Dr. Stephanie King

Vertex Pharmaceuticals paid $2,857.72 for education on Skyrizi to a Genetics specialist.

This page provides a detailed analysis of a $2,857.72 general payment from Vertex Pharmaceuticals to Dr. Stephanie King. Data is from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database.

Payment Details

Field	Value
Amount	$2,857.72
Payment Type	general
Payment Nature	Education
Pharmaceutical Company	Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Physician	Dr. Stephanie King
NPI Number	1905967819
Physician Specialty	Genetics
Location	City, AZ
Date of Payment	2024-11-03
Related Drug/Device	Skyrizi
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.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals made a $2.9K general payment to Stephanie King, a Genetics specialist in City, AZ. The payment was associated with Skyrizi. Vertex Pharmaceuticals made a payment of $2,857.72 to Dr. Stephanie King on November 3, 2024. The payment was for 'Education' related to the drug or device 'Skyrizi'. Dr. King's specialty is 'Genetics', and the payment was made in 'AZ'.

Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You

This payment was for educational purposes related to a specific drug or device. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.

Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?

Payments for education can vary widely depending on the specialty and the educational activities involved.

Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements

This payment falls under the Sunshine Act's reporting requirements for payments made by manufacturers to physicians.

Understanding general Payments

general payments are one of several categories of financial transfers from pharmaceutical and medical device companies to physicians that must be reported under the Sunshine Act. Understanding the type and context of a payment is important for evaluating its significance. Not all payments are equal -- a research grant has very different implications than a promotional speaking fee.

Frequently Asked Questions About This Payment

What was this $2.9K payment for?

This was a general payment of $2.9K from Vertex Pharmaceuticals to Stephanie King, categorized as "Education". It was associated with Skyrizi. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).

Does Stephanie King accept pharmaceutical money?

Yes, Stephanie King received this $2.9K payment from Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Stephanie King'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 general payment?

A general payment of $2.9K 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 Genetics?

To compare this payment against Genetics averages, check the full specialty breakdown on CMS Open Payments. Payment amounts vary widely by specialty and type. Genetics 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 Stephanie King's relationship with Vertex Pharmaceuticals?

The payment amount is $2,857.72. This $2.9K general payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.

Is this payment amount typical for Genetics?

The payment was categorized as 'Education'.

What should patients do after learning about this payment?

This payment was for educational purposes related to a specific drug or device.

What else should I know about this general payment?

The associated drug/device is 'Skyrizi'.

Related Reports

Data from CMS Open Payments. Payment does not imply wrongdoing. Consult your healthcare provider about any concerns.