[neverdem]

I buy Aranesp at the local pharmacy and give the shots to myself. My pharmacist told me that the retail price of my dose, taken once every five weeks, is $1540. The CBC blood tests to monitor the effect is $47 per month.

That's not cheap. I'd have my transferrin and ferritin levels checked periodically if I was spending that much money. Modest iron supplements could help.

[JoeGar]

I buy Aranesp at the local pharmacy and give the shots to myself. My pharmacist told me that the retail price of my dose, taken once every five weeks, is $1540.

That's not cheap. I'd have my transferrin and ferritin levels checked periodically if I was spending that much money.

The $1540 is the retail price -- not what I pay. I have no idea how much money my prescription drug insurance pays for a dose, but I suspect they do not pay retail price. My co-pay cost is only $10 per dose. I've got outstanding prescription drug insurance.