OBJECTIVES: This study sought to understand the current use of payer-industry partnerships in key influence markets and to gain insight into regional perspectives on the current and future use of payer-industry partnerships. METHODS: Primary research was conducted through 57, 30-60 minute interviews of key stakeholders from industry and regulatory agencies across 9 major markets (EU 5, United States, Japan, Canada, and Australia). Interview questionnaires were designed to understand perceptions regarding current partnerships as well as awareness of emerging models. Primary data was complemented by reviews of published and gray literature, government and other relevant agency websites, and IHS proprietary Healthcare and Pharmaceutical content. RESULTS: Two broad categories of partnerships were predominantly used across the countries examined – partnerships for reimbursement decision-making (e.g. risk-sharing agreements) and partnerships downstream of reimbursement (e.g. disease management programs). One key finding was the acceptance of payer-industry partnerships as a necessary practice as opposed to short term trend. According to interviewees, partnerships are increasingly becoming a necessity because of gaps in funding. Given such challenges, stakeholders are more willing to consider novel opportunities for collaboration with industry. Secondly, this study found a lack of agreement on the preferred type of payer-industry partnerships. For example, the United States has used disease management systems and other downstream partnerships as a mainstay. Payer sentiment, however, is that these practices are flawed, with many US stakeholders looking to risk sharing for future partnerships. Conversely, many stakeholders in the UK have expressed interest in moving away from risk sharing to adopt more downstream partnerships. CONCLUSIONS: Payer-industry partnerships are making the transition from being experimental options to permanent practice within health care systems. Countries are looking at methods used in other regions to explore new opportunities to expand partnerships. There is a lack of international alignment, however, on which partnerships will be most beneficial in the future.