$17,125.55 speaking Payment -- AstraZeneca to Dr. Melissa Reed
AstraZeneca pays Pulmonologist $17,125 for speaking engagement on Tecfidera
This page provides a detailed analysis of a $17,125.55 speaking payment from AstraZeneca to Dr. Melissa Reed. Data is from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database.
Payment Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Amount | $17,125.55 |
| Payment Type | speaking |
| Payment Nature | Compensation for serving as faculty or as a speaker |
| Pharmaceutical Company | AstraZeneca |
| Physician | Dr. Melissa Reed |
| NPI Number | 1455217707 |
| Physician Specialty | Pulmonology |
| Location | Orlando, FL |
| Date of Payment | 2025-08-30 |
| Related Drug/Device | Tecfidera |
| 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.
AstraZeneca made a $17.1K speaking payment to Melissa Reed, a Pulmonology specialist in Orlando, FL. The payment was associated with Tecfidera. The payment of $17,125.55 to Dr. Melissa Reed from AstraZeneca for speaking engagements is a significant amount. The payment is specifically for compensation as faculty or speaker, indicating a professional engagement. The drug associated with this payment, Tecfidera, is used for treating multiple sclerosis, a condition often managed by neurologists, though pulmonologists may also encounter related respiratory issue
Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You
Patients should discuss any medications prescribed with their doctor and understand the potential reasons for their prescription, including any educational or speaking engagements their physician may have with pharmaceutical companies. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.
Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?
Payments for speaking engagements can vary widely, but $17,125.55 for a single event is on the higher end for many specialties, though it may be more common for highly sought-after speakers in specific therapeutic areas.
Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements
This payment falls under the Sunshine Act provisions, requiring disclosure of payments made by drug and device manufacturers to physicians and teaching hospitals.
Related Topics
This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:
- speaking-engagement
- pharmaceutical-payments
- astrazeneca
- tecfidera
- pulmonology
- medical-education
Understanding speaking Payments
Speaking and education payments compensate physicians for presenting at conferences, continuing medical education (CME) events, and promotional speaking engagements. These payments often cover honoraria, preparation time, and travel expenses. Speaking fees are among the highest-value payment categories and have attracted significant attention from researchers studying potential conflicts of interest.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Payment
What was this $17.1K payment for?
This was a speaking payment of $17.1K from AstraZeneca to Melissa Reed, categorized as "Compensation for serving as faculty or as a speaker". It was associated with Tecfidera. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).
Does Melissa Reed accept pharmaceutical money?
Yes, Melissa Reed received this $17.1K payment from AstraZeneca. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Melissa Reed'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 speaking payment?
A speaking payment of $17.1K should be evaluated in context. 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 Pulmonology?
To compare this payment against Pulmonology averages, check the full specialty breakdown on CMS Open Payments. Payment amounts vary widely by specialty and type. Pulmonology 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 Melissa Reed's relationship with AstraZeneca?
The payment date is in the future (August 30, 2025). This $17.1K speaking payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.
Is this payment amount typical for Pulmonology?
The payment is categorized as 'speaking' and 'Compensation for serving as faculty or as a speaker'.
What should patients do after learning about this payment?
Patients should discuss any medications prescribed with their doctor and understand the potential reasons for their prescription, including any educational or speaking engagements their physician may have with pharmaceutical companies.
What else should I know about this speaking payment?
Dr. Reed's specialty is Pulmonology, while Tecfidera is primarily indicated for Multiple Sclerosis.
Related Reports
Data from CMS Open Payments. Payment does not imply wrongdoing. Consult your healthcare provider about any concerns.