Conclusion
In conclusion, this investigation revealed that over 60% of allergists certified by the Japanese Society of Allergology received non-research payments related to lecturing, consulting, and manuscript drafting from pharmaceutical companies between 2016 and 2020. These payments were predominantly distributed to a limited number of allergists. Notably, there was a significant annual increase in payment amounts exceeding seven percent prior to the pandemic. In contrast, a marked decline in both the number of allergists receiving payments and the total payment amounts was observed in 2020, concurrent with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan.