Trends and Characteristics of Industry Payments for Ophthalmology Research From 2014 to 2020

Abstract

ImportanceCharacterizing industry-ophthalmology collaborations in research can highlight current areas of focus, improve transparency, and identify potential sources for conflicts of interest.ObjectiveTo assess the trends and characteristics in research payments reported from industry to ophthalmologists from 2014 to 2020.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis cross-sectional study used data from the Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Open Payments database (OPD), which contains public records of payments between industry and physicians, to identify all ophthalmologists who received industry payments for research purposes between 2014 and 2020. Industry funding was compared with public research funding by the National Eye Institute.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe value and distribution of payments, sponsoring manufacturers, and research products were assessed. Changes in aggregate and per individual-level funding were characterized using formal trend analysis.ResultsFrom 2014 to 2020, 2102 ophthalmologists were reported to have received $825 417 233 in industry research payments. Industry funding increased 203% from $62 924 525 in 2014 to $190 714 508 in 2020 (P = .01). Comparatively, total National Eye Institute research funding during the same period was $5 003 407 764 and increased 6.6% from $701 313 262 in 2014 to $747 929 556 in 2020 (P = .04). The share of all medical research funding from industry directed specifically toward ophthalmology research increased from 1.2% in 2014 to 3.2% in 2020 (P = .04). The distribution of industry payments was skewed, with the top 15 of 108 manufacturers accounting for 93.9% of funding. The top 10% of ophthalmologists (210) were reported to have received 65.7% of all research dollars ($542 299 121). The highest funded research products were anti–vascular endothelial growth factor agents, glaucoma treatments, and intraocular lenses.Conclusions and RelevanceAlthough unequal in distribution, industry-funded research in ophthalmology is extensive and increasing in scope. Industry funding for research is less than that of public funding; however, industry funding increased faster between 2014 and 2020. Results of this study highlight the increasing importance of industry funding in ophthalmology research, but it may also present ethical challenges for clinicians collaborating with industry.

Characterizing industry payments to ophthalmologists before and after onset of the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Given this influence, this study aims to understand what differences, if any, exist for industry payments to ophthalmologists before and after onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Several prior publications have used the Open Payments Database to address industry payments to ophthalmologists, and we look to specifically analyzed any changes in industry payments to ophthalmologists before and after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic made possible by the availability of 2021 data [ 4 , 7 , 14 – 16 ]. This study additionally serves as an update on general research payment trends to ophthalmologists.…”

“…As a result, the literature is extensive in ophthalmology regarding industry payment trends. Just recently in fact, Kalva et al characterized industry payments to ophthalmologists for research from 2014 to 2020 [ 7 ]. Gender disparities and a lack of representation for female ophthalmologists receiving industry payments have been highlighted previously [ 8 ].…”

Evaluation of Research and Non-research Industry Payments to Endocrinologists in the United States: An Analysis of the Open Payments Database from 2014 to 2022

“…Research payments were distributed to only 6.0% to 9.3% of all endocrinologists each year and 15.3% over nine-years in the US, and per-physician research payments were substantially higher than other specialists (15,17,18,(35)(36)(37)(38). However, these payments should be viewed with caution because they include research costs at a time when many studies of SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1RAs were ongoing and nearly all of these funds were paid directly to institutions.…”

Industry-sponsored research payments to gastroenterologists in the United States

“…Most research payments came indirectly to physician researchers via teaching hospitals, universities, and other third parties. [5][6][7][8][9][10] Grant and direct research payments were incorporated into one payment category, as both payments were directly provided to individual gastroenterologists.…”

“…However, as this study elucidated, the healthcare industry invests the majority of its resources and expense in clinical trials and were less likely to invest in preclinical research and research driven by basic knowledge products. [5][6][7][8][9][10] As Scher and Schett noted, 12 the healthcare industry is primarily motivated by short-term market expansion. However, investments in knowledge products and innovative ideas lead to long-term growth, known as "knowledge spillovers."…”