$3,487.18 consulting Payment -- Pfizer Inc to Dr. Robert Johnson
Pfizer Inc. pays Rheumatologist Robert Johnson $3,487.18 for consulting services
This page provides a detailed analysis of a $3,487.18 consulting payment from Pfizer Inc to Dr. Robert Johnson. Data is from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database.
Payment Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Amount | $3,487.18 |
| Payment Type | consulting |
| Payment Nature | Consulting Fee |
| Pharmaceutical Company | Pfizer Inc |
| Physician | Dr. Robert Johnson |
| NPI Number | 1065090856 |
| Physician Specialty | Rheumatology |
| Location | City, CO |
| Date of Payment | 2025-03-20 |
| 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.
Pfizer Inc made a $3.5K consulting payment to Robert Johnson, a Rheumatology specialist in City, CO. The payment of $3,487.18 to Dr. Robert Johnson for consulting services from Pfizer Inc. is a significant amount for a single consulting engagement. The payment was made on March 20, 2025, indicating a recent engagement between the physician and the pharmaceutical company. The specialty of Rheumatology is noted, which may involve treatments for chronic conditions where pharmaceutical research and development are active.
Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You
This payment represents a consulting fee paid to your physician for their expertise. It's important to discuss any treatment decisions directly with your doctor. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.
Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?
Consulting fees for physicians in Rheumatology can vary widely based on the scope of work and the pharmaceutical company's needs, but this amount is within a moderate range for specialized consulting.
Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements
This payment falls under the Sunshine Act's reporting requirements, which mandate disclosure of payments made by manufacturers of drugs, devices, and medical supplies to physicians and teaching hospitals.
Related Topics
This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:
- pharmaceutical-payments
- physician-compensation
- consulting-fees
- rheumatology
- pfizer-inc
- open-payments-data
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 $3.5K payment for?
This was a consulting payment of $3.5K from Pfizer Inc to Robert Johnson, categorized as "Consulting Fee". The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).
Does Robert Johnson accept pharmaceutical money?
Yes, Robert Johnson received this $3.5K payment from Pfizer Inc. 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 $3.5K 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 Rheumatology?
To compare this payment against Rheumatology averages, check the full specialty breakdown on CMS Open Payments. Payment amounts vary widely by specialty and type. Rheumatology 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 Pfizer Inc?
The payment is categorized as a 'Consulting Fee' under the 'consulting' payment type. This $3.5K consulting payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.
Is this payment amount typical for Rheumatology?
Dr. Johnson's NPI is 1065090856.
What should patients do after learning about this payment?
This payment represents a consulting fee paid to your physician for their expertise. It's important to discuss any treatment decisions directly with your doctor.
What else should I know about this consulting payment?
The payment was processed on March 20, 2025.
Related Reports
Data from CMS Open Payments. Payment does not imply wrongdoing. Consult your healthcare provider about any concerns.