Global Health Experts Denounce Trump’s Claims on Acetaminophen and Autism

Health experts worldwide are uniting against claims made by President Donald Trump regarding a potential link between acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, and autism in children. The assertion was made during a news conference on March 4, 2024, where Trump announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would inform healthcare professionals about this alleged risk associated with acetaminophen use during pregnancy.

The announcement prompted immediate pushback from various health organizations. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) stated that there is currently “no new evidence” necessitating changes to existing recommendations for acetaminophen use during pregnancy. According to Steffen Thirstrup, EMA’s chief medical officer, “Paracetamol remains an important option to treat pain or fever in pregnant women.” The agency’s position is based on a thorough examination of scientific data, which found no evidence linking paracetamol to autism.

Similarly, the United Kingdom’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) reiterated that taking paracetamol during pregnancy is safe. Dr. Alison Cave, the agency’s chief safety officer, emphasized that there is no evidence supporting a causal relationship between paracetamol use in pregnancy and autism.

Australia’s health authorities also aligned with their international counterparts. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the country’s chief medical officer released a joint statement rejecting claims about acetaminophen’s risks during pregnancy. They asserted that “robust scientific evidence shows no causal link between the use of paracetamol in pregnancy and autism or ADHD.”

The backlash extended to Spain, where Health Minister Mónica García specifically criticized Trump’s remarks, labeling them as misinformation. She stated, “This denialism only sows alarm and misinformation. It’s better to listen to health authorities than to the person who suggested injecting bleach against COVID.” Her comments referenced a controversial statement made by Trump in 2020.

International health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), have indicated that evidence regarding the connection between paracetamol use during pregnancy and autism remains inconsistent. A significant study published last year, which followed nearly 2.5 million children in Sweden over a span of 25 years, concluded that acetaminophen use during pregnancy did not increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders.

In the United States, reputable organizations such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have also countered the claims made by the Trump administration. They asserted that there is “no clear evidence” supporting a link between acetaminophen and autism.

The Consumer Healthcare Products Association, representing major manufacturers of over-the-counter medications, echoed these sentiments, stating that “safety is the top priority for manufacturers.” They highlighted that the safety profile of acetaminophen is supported by decades of research and real-world usage. The Autism Science Foundation further reiterated that any claims linking acetaminophen to autism are based on “limited, conflicting, and inconsistent science.”

As this debate continues, health experts stress the importance of relying on credible scientific evidence rather than unverified claims. The consensus among global health authorities remains clear: acetaminophen is deemed safe for use during pregnancy, and claims suggesting otherwise lack substantial scientific backing.