Does cold medicine Mucinex contain cancer-causing benzene?

A recent independent report reveals that the generic version of the popular cold and allergy medicine Mucinex, available at major retail chains like CVS, Walmart, Target, and Walgreens in the US, contains benzene, a chemical linked to cancer.

Benzene is a colourless, flammable liquid used in making products like plastics, synthetic fibres, household cleaners, gasoline, and rubber. It is associated with serious health risks, including diseases like leukemia and lymphoma.

The branded Mucinex, produced by the British pharmaceutical company Reckitt Benckiser Group, uses a substance called carbomer to provide an extended-release effect. This carbomer does not contain benzene.

However, an independent investigation by Bloomberg found that the carbomer used in the generic versions of Mucinex sold by major US retailers does contain benzene.

In the US, the four major retailers—CVS, Walmart, Walgreens, and Target—source their generic Mucinex from Amneal Pharmaceuticals, based in New Jersey. The company has announced that it is working to replace the benzene-containing carbomer.

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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had planned to eliminate the use of benzene by 2025 but has extended the deadline to 2026 in response to industry concerns.

-Agencies/Bloomberg