Walgreens Sold Store-Brand Mucinex Contaminated with Benzene, Class Action Alleges [DISMISSED]

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Walgreens faces a proposed class action lawsuit that alleges the retailer sold generic, store-brand Mucinex contaminated with benzene, a carcinogenic chemical found in plastics, synthetic fibers, household cleaners and gasoline.

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The 27-page Walgreens lawsuit was filed in the wake of media reports in early August that the generic versions of Mucinex sold by CVS, Walgreens, Walmart and Target contained undisclosed benzene. The filing says that Walgreens, to date, has submitted “no response to the matter” or made any effort to remediate the situation by offering refunds to consumers.

According to the lawsuit, the Walgreens-brand Mucinex is unfit for consumption due to its contamination with benzene.

The complaint shares that the extended-release effect of name-brand Mucinex, an over-the-counter cough, cold and congestion medication made by pharma giant Reckitt Benckiser, comes from an inactive ingredient called carbomer that does not contain benzene. The New York Post, citing an analysis by Bloomberg News, reported that the carbomer found in the generic versions of Mucinex sold by major retail pharmacies does in fact contain benzene.

The Post wrote that CVS, Walgreens, Walmart and Target each source their generic versions of Mucinex from New Jersey-based Amneal Pharmaceuticals. The paper added that Bloomberg’s analysis found benzene-containing carbomers were used not only in the Walgreens-brand Mucinex generic but also Walmart’s Equate-brand face moisturizer with sunscreen and Ride Aid’s store-brand Bengay muscle cream.

Long-term exposure to benzene can affect bone marrow, decrease red blood cells, and cause leukemia and immune system damage, among other adverse effects, the lawsuit stresses.

“Nowhere on the Products’ packaging or webpage did [Walgreens] disclose that the Products contained Benzene,” the filing relays, claiming consumers would not have bought the generic Mucinex, or would have paid less for it, had they known it was contaminated with a carcinogen.

The Walgreens benzene lawsuit looks to cover all individuals in the United States who bought the generic-brand Mucinex at a Walgreens store.

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