Trends in Botulinum Toxin-Related Industry Payments to Physicians.

Objectives

To evaluate trends in botulinum toxin (BTX) industry payments to physicians.

Methods

Cross-sectional analysis of nonroyalty, BTX-specific payments made by Allergan (Botox), Ipsen (Dysport), and Merz (Xeomin) to physicians using the 2016-2020 Open Payments Database.

Results

Between 2016 and 2020, >$27 million in payments was made for BTX-related activities to dermatologists, neurologists, ophthalmologists, otolaryngologists, and plastic surgeons, with payments ranging from $3.9 million in 2016 to $8.7 million in 2019. 21.7% was paid to dermatologists, 57.5% to neurologists, 5.9% to ophthalmologists, 5.7% to otolaryngologists, and 9.1% to plastic surgeons.

Conclusions

Growing amounts are being paid to physicians for BTX-related activities-both medical and aesthetic. Despite the variety of indications for BTX within otolaryngology, otolaryngology payments were overshadowed by other specialties, which may reflect greater BTX utilization in those specialties.