$23,336.88 consulting Payment -- Roche/Genentech to Dr. Heather Mitchell

Pulmonologist Receives Over $23,000 Consulting Fee from Roche/Genentech for Kisqali

This page provides a detailed analysis of a $23,336.88 consulting payment from Roche/Genentech to Dr. Heather Mitchell. Data is from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database.

Payment Details

FieldValue
Amount$23,336.88
Payment Typeconsulting
Payment NatureConsulting Fee
Pharmaceutical CompanyRoche/Genentech
PhysicianDr. Heather Mitchell
NPI Number1937468725
Physician SpecialtyPulmonology
LocationCity, CO
Date of Payment2025-09-23
Related Drug/DeviceKisqali
Conflict AssessmentModerate -- 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.

Roche/Genentech made a $23.3K consulting payment to Heather Mitchell, a Pulmonology specialist in City, CO. The payment was associated with Kisqali. The total payment of $23,336.88 to Dr. Heather Mitchell from Roche/Genentech for consulting services is a significant amount. The payment is specifically tied to consulting related to Kisqali, a drug used in oncology. The payment date is in the future (September 23, 2025), which is unusual for reported payments.

Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You

Patients should be aware that their physicians may receive payments from pharmaceutical companies for consulting services, which could potentially influence treatment recommendations. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.

Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?

While consulting fees are common in healthcare, a payment of this magnitude to a pulmonologist for services related to an oncology drug warrants consideration of potential conflicts of interest.

Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements

This payment falls under the Sunshine Act provisions of the Affordable Care Act, requiring disclosure of financial relationships between drug manufacturers and healthcare providers.

Related Topics

This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:

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 $23.3K payment for?

This was a consulting payment of $23.3K from Roche/Genentech to Heather Mitchell, categorized as "Consulting Fee". It was associated with Kisqali. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).

Does Heather Mitchell accept pharmaceutical money?

Yes, Heather Mitchell received this $23.3K payment from Roche/Genentech. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Heather Mitchell'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 $23.3K 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 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 Heather Mitchell's relationship with Roche/Genentech?

The payment is categorized as a 'Consulting Fee' for 'consulting' services. This $23.3K consulting payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.

Is this payment amount typical for Pulmonology?

The recipient, Dr. Heather Mitchell, specializes in Pulmonology.

What should patients do after learning about this payment?

Patients should be aware that their physicians may receive payments from pharmaceutical companies for consulting services, which could potentially influence treatment recommendations.

What else should I know about this consulting payment?

The payment is associated with the drug Kisqali, which is primarily used in cancer treatment.

Related Reports

Data from CMS Open Payments. Payment does not imply wrongdoing. Consult your healthcare provider about any concerns.