Texas family faced coverage denials before cancer patient secured off-label drug

The short version

• Mason Henderson was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor, prompting his physician to prescribe the targeted drug Lynparza.[CBS News]
• Pharmacy benefit manager Liviniti and Jefferson County refused coverage, stating the drug was not approved for his diagnosis.[CBS News]
• Drugmaker AstraZeneca initially declined a donation request but sent medication following an online appeal by Henderson's mother.[CBS News]
• Henderson received the treatment for nearly two months before dying at home on May 4.[CBS News]

Key facts

• Mason Henderson was diagnosed with diffuse hemispheric glioma (H3 G34-mutant) following the discovery of a large brain tumor.[CBS News]
• Dr. Jacob Mandel prescribed Lynparza for Henderson on Jan. 16.[CBS News]
• Liviniti and Jefferson County denied coverage because the drug lacked formal approval for Henderson's diagnosis.[CBS News]
• AstraZeneca initially refused a donation request, but reversed course and shipped 60 Lynparza pills after an appeal on social media.[CBS News]
• Henderson died at home on May 4 after taking the drug for nearly two months.[CBS News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Her son was dying, but his rare cancer made it difficult to get the right drugCBS News - US