$25,015.37 consulting Payment -- AbbVie Inc to Dr. Thomas Miller
Oncology Physician Receives Significant Consulting Fee from AbbVie for Rybelsus-Related Services
This page provides a detailed analysis of a $25,015.37 consulting payment from AbbVie Inc to Dr. Thomas Miller. Data is from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database.
Payment Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Amount | $25,015.37 |
| Payment Type | consulting |
| Payment Nature | Consulting Fee |
| Pharmaceutical Company | AbbVie Inc |
| Physician | Dr. Thomas Miller |
| NPI Number | 1802436222 |
| Physician Specialty | Oncology |
| Location | City, LA |
| Date of Payment | 2024-09-09 |
| Related Drug/Device | Rybelsus |
| 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.
AbbVie Inc made a $25.0K consulting payment to Thomas Miller, a Oncology specialist in City, LA. The payment was associated with Rybelsus. Thomas Miller received a substantial consulting fee of $25,015.37 from AbbVie Inc. The payment was for consulting services related to Rybelsus, an oncology drug. This payment occurred on September 9, 2024, and was processed through the CMS Open Payments system.
Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You
Patients should be aware that their doctors may receive payments from pharmaceutical companies for consulting, which could influence treatment recommendations. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.
Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?
This consulting fee is significantly higher than typical payments for speaking engagements or meals, suggesting a more involved advisory role within the Oncology specialty.
Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements
Payments to physicians from drug manufacturers are subject to disclosure under the Sunshine Act, requiring transparency regarding financial relationships.
Related Topics
This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:
- pharmaceutical-payments
- physician-compensation
- consulting-fees
- oncology
- abbvie
- rybelsus
- cms-open-payments
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 $25.0K payment for?
This was a consulting payment of $25.0K from AbbVie Inc to Thomas Miller, categorized as "Consulting Fee". It was associated with Rybelsus. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).
Does Thomas Miller accept pharmaceutical money?
Yes, Thomas Miller received this $25.0K payment from AbbVie Inc. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Thomas Miller'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 $25.0K 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 Thomas Miller's relationship with AbbVie Inc?
The payment amount is notably high for a single consulting engagement. This $25.0K consulting payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.
Is this payment amount typical for Oncology?
The payment type is specifically 'Consulting Fee', indicating direct engagement for expertise.
What should patients do after learning about this payment?
Patients should be aware that their doctors may receive payments from pharmaceutical companies for consulting, which could influence treatment recommendations.
What else should I know about this consulting payment?
The specialty is Oncology, a field often associated with complex treatment decisions and drug development.
Related Reports
Data from CMS Open Payments. Payment does not imply wrongdoing. Consult your healthcare provider about any concerns.