Generic Mucinex at risk of containing potent carcinogen, Bloomberg says

Extended-release generic store-brand Mucinex has risk of containing a potent carcinogen called benzene, which cause blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma, Anna Edney of Bloomberg reports, citing a Bloomberg analysis of government data. The major U.S. pharmacy chains, including CVS Health (CVS), Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) and Walmart (WMT), source their extended-release mucus-relief medicine from the same company, Amneal Pharmaceuticals, according to Bloomberg. U.S. regulators have allowed drug makers to use benzene for decades, even though international authorities have said they shouldn’t, Edney points out. Shares of Amneal are down 4% to $7.35 in afternoon trading.