When cold and flu season comes around, it’s not uncommon to flock to the nearest pharmacy for something to relieve the symptoms. However, an analysis and report issued by Bloomberg News may have many consumers rethinking which package of cold medicine they’re reaching for.
Researchers retained by the news outlet found that store-brand versions of Mucinex found at Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, and Target contain a cancer-causing chemical, benzene.
Why is benzene used?
Benzene is used in a number of consumer products, including paint thinner, gasoline, glue, cleaning products, and more. However, benzene is also naturally produced during forest fires or volcano eruptions, as well as by cigarette smoke.
When it comes to these popular cold medicines, the report found that Amneal Pharmaceuticals, the company that all four retailers are using to source these drugs, is using benzene as a solvent to dissolve all of the other drug ingredients.
In name-brand Mucinex, benzene isn’t used. Instead, drugmakers have used carbomer, a powder that works the same way as benzene, and is often found in cosmetic products or other drugs. However, carbomer comes with a bit of a steeper price tag than benzene, which could be why store-name brands have turned to the chemical.
The FDA is cracking down
In December 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued guidance to reform drug products that contain benzene.
Because manufacturers have been using benzene as a solvent, the agency learned that many companies were using levels that are unsafe for consumers. The updated guidance calls for manufacturers to reformulate their medications, run them through new testing guidelines, and resubmit the results to the FDA.