$167.84 meals Payment -- Biogen to Dr. Richard Brown

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 $167.84 meals payment to Richard Brown, a Psychiatry specialist in Austin, TX. The payment was associated with Ocrevus. The payment of $167.84 to Dr. Richard Brown was for meals provided by Biogen. This payment is associated with the drug Ocrevus, a treatment for multiple sclerosis. The payment occurred on December 16, 2024, in Austin, TX.

Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You

This payment represents a meal provided by a pharmaceutical company, which is a common practice in medical education and information sharing. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.

Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?

Meals provided by pharmaceutical companies to physicians are generally considered a low-value transaction within the context of medical practice and are common across many specialties.

Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements

This payment falls under the Sunshine Act provisions of the Affordable Care Act, requiring 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:

• biogen
• ocrevus
• meals
• psychiatry
• physician-payment
• cms-open-payments

Understanding meals Payments

Food and beverage payments cover meals provided to physicians during pharmaceutical sales representative visits, medical conferences, and educational events. While individual meal payments tend to be small (often under $100), research published in JAMA Internal Medicine has shown that even modest meals can be associated with changes in prescribing behavior. Meal payments are the most common type of pharmaceutical payment to physicians.

Frequently Asked Questions About This Payment

What was this $167.84 payment for?

This was a meals payment of $167.84 from Biogen to Richard Brown, categorized as "Food and Beverage". It was associated with Ocrevus. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).

Does Richard Brown accept pharmaceutical money?

Yes, Richard Brown received this $167.84 payment from Biogen. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Richard Brown'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 meals payment?

A meals payment of $167.84 is generally routine and common in the industry. 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 Richard Brown's relationship with Biogen?

The payment amount is relatively small, suggesting a routine interaction. This $167.84 meals payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.

Is this payment amount typical for Psychiatry?

The payment type is 'meals', indicating a common form of industry engagement.

What should patients do after learning about this payment?

This payment represents a meal provided by a pharmaceutical company, which is a common practice in medical education and information sharing.

What else should I know about this meals payment?

The specialty is Psychiatry, and the drug is Ocrevus, used for MS.

Related Reports

• View Dr. Richard Brown's full payment report
• Biogen full spending report
• Browse all Psychiatry payments
• Browse all payments in Texas
• Search for other payments