$152,112.87 research Payment -- Biogen to Dr. Emily Thompson

Payment Details

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 $152.1K research payment to Emily Thompson, a Psychiatry specialist in City, SC. The payment was associated with Spinraza. Biogen made a significant research payment of over $152,000 to Dr. Emily Thompson in November 2024. The payment was specifically for research related to Spinraza, a drug manufactured by Biogen. This payment represents a substantial investment in research activities within the Psychiatry specialty.

Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You

This payment is for research purposes and does not represent a direct payment for your personal medical care. 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 the pharmaceutical industry, especially for novel treatments in specialized fields like psychiatry.

Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements

This payment is reported under the Sunshine Act, requiring disclosure of financial relationships between drug manufacturers and healthcare providers.

Related Topics

This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:

• biogen
• spinraza
• research-payment
• psychiatry
• pharmaceutical-industry
• 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 $152.1K payment for?

This was a research payment of $152.1K from Biogen to Emily Thompson, categorized as "Research". It was associated with Spinraza. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).

Does Emily Thompson accept pharmaceutical money?

Yes, Emily Thompson received this $152.1K payment from Biogen. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Emily Thompson'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 $152.1K 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 Emily Thompson's relationship with Biogen?

The payment amount is substantial, indicating a significant research project. This $152.1K research payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.

Is this payment amount typical for Psychiatry?

The payment type is 'research', aligning with the 'paymentNature' also listed as 'Research'.

What should patients do after learning about this payment?

This payment is for research purposes and does not represent a direct payment for your personal medical care.

What else should I know about this research payment?

Dr. Emily Thompson, a psychiatrist, received this payment for research involving Biogen's drug, Spinraza.

Related Reports

• View Dr. Emily Thompson's full payment report
• Biogen full spending report
• Browse all Psychiatry payments
• Browse all payments in South Carolina
• Search for other payments