Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa) is a long-acting erythropoiesis-stimulating agent given as a single injection weekly, every two weeks or monthly, and it is bought as the Amgen originator or as an Indian-made version, depending on what the destination registers.

We do not publish prices. The landed cost of darbepoetin alfa depends on whether you choose the Aranesp originator or an Indian-made line, the strength and presentation (vial, prefilled syringe or pen), the quantity, the registration route in your destination, the cold-chain lane and Incoterms. Refrigerated freight is a real cost line for a 2 to 8 C biological. M Care Exports quotes per destination once you send the strength, volume and country.

In the US, Drugs@FDA lists Aranesp under BLA 103951, held by Amgen, and we found no other darbepoetin alfa application in FDA data. In the EU, the Aranesp EPAR page names Amgen Europe B.V. as the holder, and the second EU darbepoetin product, Nespo, has been withdrawn. The EMA medicines list we checked shows no darbepoetin alfa biosimilar. In India, our catalogue lists Indian-made darbepoetin alfa such as Cresp, Actorise and Darbotin. M Care supplies both the originator and Indian-made versions, where your regulator accepts them.

Yes, we quote both. The US label lists 40 mcg and 100 mcg as single-dose vials (1 mL) and as prefilled syringes (0.4 mL and 0.5 mL). The EU SmPC lists 40 mcg and 100 mcg as prefilled syringes and as SureClick prefilled pens. The EU SmPC restricts the pen to subcutaneous use, and the US label recommends the intravenous route for patients on haemodialysis, so the presentation should match your registration and how the unit doses. Send the presentation, quantity and destination, and we confirm availability.

The FDA label lists anaemia due to chronic kidney disease in patients on and not on dialysis, and anaemia due to concurrent myelosuppressive chemotherapy in non-myeloid malignancies when at least two more months of chemotherapy are planned. The EU SmPC lists symptomatic anaemia in chronic renal failure in adults and paediatric patients, and in adult cancer patients on chemotherapy. The US label states it is not indicated where cure is the expected outcome of chemotherapy, or as a substitute for transfusion when immediate correction is needed.

Per the US label, CKD dialysis patients receive 0.45 mcg/kg once weekly or 0.75 mcg/kg every two weeks, with the intravenous route recommended for patients on haemodialysis, and non-dialysis patients 0.45 mcg/kg every four weeks. Chemotherapy anaemia is 2.25 mcg/kg weekly or 500 mcg every three weeks, subcutaneously. The EU SmPC states the pre-filled pen is for subcutaneous use only. Doses are adjusted to haemoglobin response, and the US label says to use the lowest dose sufficient to reduce the need for transfusions. The EU SmPC says treatment should be started by a physician experienced in these indications.

The EMA lists hypersensitivity and hypertension as the most common side effects in kidney failure patients, and hypersensitivity and oedema in cancer patients. The US boxed warning covers death, myocardial infarction, stroke, venous thromboembolism, vascular access thrombosis and tumour progression or recurrence, and the EU SmPC warns of pure red cell aplasia. Poorly controlled hypertension is a contraindication in the EU. This is a summary for procurement staff, not clinical advice: prescribers should use the full product information for the destination.