OBJECTIVES: Anaemia is a common side effect observed in patients receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy [1]. The purpose of this pharmacoeconomic analysis was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the long-acting erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) darbepoetin alfa (DA) 500 mcg once every 3 weeks (Q3W) and 150 mcg weekly (QW), and short-acting ESAs epoetin-alfa (EA) 40,000 IU QW, epoetin-beta (EB) 30,000 IU QW and 3-times weekly (TIW) for the treatment of CIA. METHODS: A cost-consequence model was constructed using a decision-analysis tree. The treatment period considered was based on 12 weeks and was aligned with routine chemotherapy regimen administration.  Model inputs included: medical treatment, outcomes, and healthcare service utilization from published clinical trials and summary of product characteristics recommendation. Effectiveness of therapeutic alternatives was determined by comparing haemoglobin response rates. Costs included direct medical costs(intervention drug, inpatient and outpatient) and transportation costs. Costs presented reflect 2010 data. The analysis was performed from the perspective of the Austrian health care system. RESULTS: The average expected direct costs per patient were €3,675 for DA Q3W, €3830 for DA QW, €4290 for EA QW, €4240 for EB QW and €4745 for EB TIW. Cost-savings associated with DA Q3W were 4% relative to DA QW, 14% to EA QW, 13% to EB QW and 23% to EB TIW. The cost per haemoglobin response rate (therapeutic success) amounted to €5035 for DA Q3W, €5247 for DA QW, €6309 for EA QW, €6235 for EB QW and €6977 for EB TIW. CONCLUSIONS: In the treatment of CIA among cancer patients in Austria, darbepoetin alfa Q3W and QW are projected to provide more efficient use of health care resources compared to alternative treatment strategies such as epoetin-alfa and epoetin-beta. [1] Ludwig et al. Eur J Cancer 2004;40:2293-306.