$22,712.18 consulting Payment -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals to Dr. Robert Johnson
Vertex Pharmaceuticals pays Internal Medicine doctor $22,712 for Rybelsus consulting
This page provides a detailed analysis of a $22,712.18 consulting payment from Vertex Pharmaceuticals to Dr. Robert Johnson. Data is from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database.
Payment Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Amount | $22,712.18 |
| Payment Type | consulting |
| Payment Nature | Consulting Fee |
| Pharmaceutical Company | Vertex Pharmaceuticals |
| Physician | Dr. Robert Johnson |
| NPI Number | 1123018614 |
| Physician Specialty | Internal Medicine |
| Location | Augusta, GA |
| Date of Payment | 2025-09-22 |
| Related Drug/Device | Rybelsus |
| 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.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals made a $22.7K consulting payment to Robert Johnson, a Internal Medicine specialist in Augusta, GA. The payment was associated with Rybelsus. Vertex Pharmaceuticals paid Dr. Robert Johnson $22,712.18 for consulting services related to Rybelsus. The payment was made on September 22, 2025, for consulting fees. Dr. Johnson, an Internal Medicine specialist in Augusta, GA, received this payment.
Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You
If your doctor receives payments from pharmaceutical companies for consulting, it may help them stay informed about new treatments like Rybelsus, which is used for type 2 diabetes. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.
Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?
Consulting fees for Internal Medicine specialists can vary widely, but this amount for a single engagement may be on the higher end compared to typical speaker fees or advisory board compensation.
Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements
Payments to physicians for consulting services are subject to disclosure under the Sunshine Act, requiring transparency in financial relationships between healthcare providers and industry.
Related Topics
This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:
- pharmaceutical-payments
- consulting-fees
- internal-medicine
- diabetes-treatment
- rybelsus
- vertex-pharmaceuticals
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 $22.7K payment for?
This was a consulting payment of $22.7K from Vertex Pharmaceuticals to Robert Johnson, categorized as "Consulting Fee". It was associated with Rybelsus. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).
Does Robert Johnson accept pharmaceutical money?
Yes, Robert Johnson received this $22.7K payment from Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Robert Johnson'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 $22.7K 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 Internal Medicine?
To compare this payment against Internal Medicine averages, check the full specialty breakdown on CMS Open Payments. Payment amounts vary widely by specialty and type. Internal Medicine 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 Robert Johnson's relationship with Vertex Pharmaceuticals?
The payment amount is substantial for a single consulting engagement. This $22.7K consulting payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.
Is this payment amount typical for Internal Medicine?
The payment is specifically for consulting, not for speaking or research.
What should patients do after learning about this payment?
If your doctor receives payments from pharmaceutical companies for consulting, it may help them stay informed about new treatments like Rybelsus, which is used for type 2 diabetes.
What else should I know about this consulting payment?
The drug mentioned, Rybelsus, is a treatment for type 2 diabetes.
Related Reports
Data from CMS Open Payments. Payment does not imply wrongdoing. Consult your healthcare provider about any concerns.