OBJECTIVES: To assess the currently perceived benefits and barriers of post-marketing payer-manufacturer outcomes study collaborations by US payers and pharmaceutical manufacturers. METHODS: Regional and national US payers and pharmaceutical manufacturers with experience in collaborative post-marketing outcomes study endeavors were invited to participate in an hour-long telephone survey.  The survey consisted of questions regarding their perceptions on the benefits and barriers of potential post-marketing outcomes study collaborations, as well as attributes of potential collaborators, studies, products or diseases that would be most highly valued.  Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the survey responses. RESULTS: A total of 12 payers and four pharmaceutical manufacturer representatives participated in the survey.  Payers most often mentioned that the greatest benefit to partnering with manufacturers was the value manufacturers bring in terms of expertise and resources (58%).  Benefits manufacturers identified included demonstrating consistency in outcomes data relative to randomized clinical trial data and effectiveness in real-world populations. The two most commonly cited barriers by payers regarding participation in these post-marketing outcomes research collaborations included misaligned incentives (58%) and resource intensiveness (58%).  The manufacturers felt that payers are generally wary of these types of collaborations due to possible perceptions of influence, and noted that payers are usually only willing to engage and focus on high-budget impact projects and collaborations. Payers’ most important consideration when selecting a pharmaceutical partner for outcomes studies was the willingness of the manufacturer to compromise and align on objectives (42%). Manufacturers agreed that alignment on objectives and expectations is critical for a successful partnership.  CONCLUSIONS: As competition in the pharmaceutical marketplace increases and recent US healthcare reform moves forward, payer-manufacturer post-marketing outcomes research collaborations will be increasingly critical as a demonstration of value to all stakeholders.