OBJECTIVES : Multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA), a structured approach that supports decision-makers to assess and compare multiple options among multiple dimensions and criteria, which can be applied in evaluation of drugs’ comprehensive value. This research aimed to review and summarize the previous literature which used MCDA as a method, to understand the past and current application, as well as to propose suggestions for future MCDA study.

METHODS : We conducted a systemic review on published literature associated with MCDA in PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane and EMBASE from 2006 to 2017. Two independent reviewers screened titles and abstracts, and conducted full text review on qualified articles. Any articles regarding MCDA were included, while the retrospective observational studies, repetitive studies and commentary were excluded. Articles were classified by topics, published year and countries.

RESULTS : We eventually examined 357 empirical articles which meet our requirements. Number of MCDA-related publication increased from 8 in 2006 to 67 in 2017 (growth rate: 85.23% per year). Among them, 78 (21.85%) belong to “clinical drug selection”, followed by “priority setting for intervention” (15.13%), “health technology assessment” (14.01%), “pharmaceutical procurement” (13.45%), “priority setting frameworks” (12.32%), “risk-benefit assessment” (10.64%), “portfolio decision analysis” (4.48%) and “shared decision making” (1.12%). We found that more than 90% of the articles were from the European and American countries.

CONCLUSIONS : This study examined literature regarding the real world evidence of MCDA. Much attention has been given to the topics regarding clinical decision making (including clinical drug selection and risk-benefit assessment), followed by policy decision making (including priority setting for intervention and health technology assessment). MCDA is recommended for future research in decision making for pharmaceutical company and patient.