Generic Mucinex sold by CVS, Walmart, Walgreens and Target contains cancer-causing chemicals: report

A generic version of the popular cold and allergy medicine Mucinex sold as a store brand at CVS, Walmart, Target and Walgreens contains the cancer-causing chemical benzene, according to the report.

Benzene, a colorless, flammable liquid that has been used to make plastics, synthetic fibers, household cleaners, gasoline and rubber, has been linked to diseases such as leukemia and lymphoma.

The brand-name brand of Mucinex, sold by the British pharmaceutical giant, Reckitt Benckiser Group, uses a white powder called carbomer, which produces an extended-release effect that helps reduce symptoms for up to 12 hours, such as with an inactive compound. does not contain benzene.

But an analysis by Bloomberg News found that the carbomer used to make generics sold by major US pharmacies actually contained benzene.

Four major chains offer the drug from Amneal Pharmaceuticals, a New Jersey-based company, according to Bloomberg News.

“Patient safety has always been Amneal’s top priority, highlighted by our decades-long record of industry-leading quality,” an Amneal spokesperson told The Post.

“Our guaifenesin products are manufactured in compliance with all FDA regulations as well as strict company guidelines.”

Amneal said that it uses carbomers “from the largest and most trusted manufacturer in the world and also offers many branded products, and the incoming materials are regularly checked for quality.”

“Furthermore, we immediately began making changes to these products when we announced the FDA’s revised guidance,” a company representative told The Post.

Amneal said it is “conducting the review required by the FDA and will submit our amendment to the FDA by the end of 2024.”

“We expect to bring these products to market before the FDA’s August 2025 deadline.”

CVS also released a statement through a spokesperson, telling The Post: “Our grocery products are developed to be safe, high quality, perform as intended, comply with regulations and satisfy customers. “

CVS said it requires its suppliers to “comply with all laws and regulations and is committed to complying with FDA guidance.”

“When creating any product or cosmetic product, CVS store brand suppliers must ensure that their raw material or finished product is benzene-free,” said a CVS representative.

A company spokesman said “we are working with the supplier to recover” the carbomer found in its relief drug.

Bloomberg’s analysis also found that carbomers containing benzene were used to make Walgreens’ brand of oral pain reliever Anbesol, Walmart’s Equate brand face moisturizer with sunscreen, and Rite Aid’s brand of Bengay muscle rub.

The Food and Drug Administration last year wanted pharmaceutical companies to phase out benzene use by 2025, but industry protests prompted the agency to extend the deadline to 2026.

“The FDA continues to work to ensure that all drugs meet the highest quality standards for the health and well-being of the American people,” agency spokeswoman Amanda Hils told Bloomberg News.

Earlier this year, a New Haven, Conn.-based private lab sued the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention after it said it tested 66 different products, including creams like Clearasil and hand wash. face, and found “unacceptably high levels” of benzene. .

In 2021, Johnson & Johnson announced that it was recalling five of its Neutrogena and Aveeno cosmetics after the company found low levels of benzene in some of its samples.

Consumers responded by filing a class action lawsuit.

The following year, Banana Boat announced that it was recalling three of its hair and skin care products after tests found the products contained trace amounts of benzene.

Weeks later, more than 22 popular aerosol shampoo products sold by the multinational Unilever were recalled due to “high levels of benzene.”

Benzene has also been found in artificial colors and flavors used to make snacks and cereals such as Lucky Charms, Froot Loops, Skittles, Nerds, M&M’s and Doritos.

The Post sought comment from Walmart, Walgreens and Target.