$5,256.02 consulting Payment -- Novartis Pharmaceuticals to Dr. Christopher Clark
Ophthalmologist Christopher Clark Receives $5,256 Consulting Fee from Novartis for Opdivo
This page provides a detailed analysis of a $5,256.02 consulting payment from Novartis Pharmaceuticals to Dr. Christopher Clark. Data is from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database.
Payment Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Amount | $5,256.02 |
| Payment Type | consulting |
| Payment Nature | Consulting Fee |
| Pharmaceutical Company | Novartis Pharmaceuticals |
| Physician | Dr. Christopher Clark |
| NPI Number | 1152763879 |
| Physician Specialty | Ophthalmology |
| Location | Buffalo, NY |
| Date of Payment | 2024-04-21 |
| Related Drug/Device | Opdivo |
| 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.
Novartis Pharmaceuticals made a $5.3K consulting payment to Christopher Clark, a Ophthalmology specialist in Buffalo, NY. The payment was associated with Opdivo. Christopher Clark received a $5,256.02 consulting fee from Novartis Pharmaceuticals on April 21, 2024. The payment was related to consulting services, specifically for the drug Opdivo. This payment falls under the 'Consulting Fee' category within the Open Payments program.
Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You
This payment represents compensation for consulting services related to a specific medication. It is important to understand the nature of these services to assess potential influences on medical recommendations. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.
Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?
Consulting fees for ophthalmologists can vary widely depending on the scope of services, but this amount should be considered in the context of typical compensation for expert advisory roles in the pharmaceutical industry.
Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements
This payment is reported under the Physician Payments Sunshine Act, requiring disclosure of financial relationships between drug and device manufacturers and physicians.
Related Topics
This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:
- consulting-fee
- ophthalmology
- novartis-pharmaceuticals
- opdivo
- physician-payment
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 $5.3K payment for?
This was a consulting payment of $5.3K from Novartis Pharmaceuticals to Christopher Clark, categorized as "Consulting Fee". It was associated with Opdivo. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).
Does Christopher Clark accept pharmaceutical money?
Yes, Christopher Clark received this $5.3K payment from Novartis Pharmaceuticals. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Christopher Clark'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 $5.3K 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 Ophthalmology?
To compare this payment against Ophthalmology averages, check the full specialty breakdown on CMS Open Payments. Payment amounts vary widely by specialty and type. Ophthalmology 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 Christopher Clark's relationship with Novartis Pharmaceuticals?
The payment amount is a specific figure, indicating a defined scope of work. This $5.3K consulting payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.
Is this payment amount typical for Ophthalmology?
The payment was made directly by Novartis Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of Opdivo.
What should patients do after learning about this payment?
This payment represents compensation for consulting services related to a specific medication. It is important to understand the nature of these services to assess potential influences on medical recommendations.
What else should I know about this consulting payment?
The date of payment is recent, falling within the current reporting period.
Related Reports
Data from CMS Open Payments. Payment does not imply wrongdoing. Consult your healthcare provider about any concerns.