Trends in Industry-Sponsored Research Payments to Urologist Principal Investigators

To characterize trends in industry-sponsored research payments (ISRPs) to urologists in the United States METHODS: The Open Payments database was used to identify ISRPs to urologists between 2015 and 2023. Payments were stratified by recipient type and gender and analyzed by manufacturer and by associated product. Trends in total and per-urologist payment values were evaluated using standard linear and generalized linear regression models, respectively.

ISRPs to urologists increased 229% from $29.5 million in 2015 to $96.9 million in 2023 (P <.001). Payments to non-covered entities (NCEs) with a urologist principal investigator constituted most payments across all years; these increased 213% from $26.3 million in 2015 to $82.4 million in 2023 (P <.001). The median payment value to a urologist via an NCE increased 75% from $20,063 in 2015 to $35,053 in 2023 (P <.001). This trend was seen primarily among male urologists, for whom total payments increased 217% from $25.5 million in 2015 to $80.9 million in 2023 (P <.001) and median payment value per urologist increased 68% from $20,426 in 2015 to $34,255 in 2023 (P <.001); no significant change in payments was noted for female urologists within NCEs. The manufacturer and product with the highest associated total ISRP amounts during 2015-2023 were Pfizer ($196.2 million) and enzalutamide ($162.4 million), respectively.

Most ISRPs were directed to principal investigators within NCEs and increased significantly from 2015-2023. This increase was disproportionate among male and female urologists. Further research regarding potential influencing factors and detailed allocations of these research payments is warranted to improve financial transparency.