Background on Key Players and Relevance
Texas has filed a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue, manufacturers of Tylenol, for allegedly selling the medication to pregnant women with a purported risk of causing autism in their unborn children. This claim was popularized by former U.S. President Donald Trump, though it has been dismissed by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Donald Trump linked paracetamol (the main component of Tylenol) to a high risk of causing autism in children during his September statements. Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting communication and social interaction abilities in humans.
Texas Attorney General’s Allegations
Following Trump’s comments, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Trump ally, filed the lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue. Paxton accused both companies of misleadingly marketing Tylenol to pregnant women, knowing that early exposure to acetaminophen (Tylenol’s sole active ingredient) significantly increases the risk of autism and ADHD in children.
Paxton stated, “For decades, Johnson & Johnson deliberately ignored and attempted to silence scientific evidence that prenatal and early-life exposure to their acetaminophen products can cause autism and ADHD in children.”
Company Responses
Johnson & Johnson, through a spokesperson, explained that they divested from their consumer health business years ago. All rights and responsibilities associated with selling their over-the-counter products, including Tylenol (acetaminophen), now belong to Kenvue.
Kenvue, in response, stated they would “vigorously defend against these unfounded and scientifically unsupported claims.” They expressed deep concern over the “perpetuation of misinformation regarding acetaminophen safety.”
Kenvue asserted, “Acetaminophen is the safest analgesic for pregnant women when necessary throughout pregnancy. Without it, women face dangerous choices: suffer from conditions like fever, potentially harmful to both mother and baby, or resort to riskier alternatives.”
WHO’s Stance on the Issue
After Trump’s comments in September, the WHO denied any established link between paracetamol and autism caused by vaccines.
WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic stated, “Some observational studies have suggested a possible association between prenatal paracetamol exposure and autism, but the evidence remains inconsistent.” He urged caution before concluding a causal relationship.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the lawsuit about? Texas sued Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue for allegedly misleadingly marketing Tylenol to pregnant women, knowing it could increase the risk of autism in unborn children.
- Who are Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue? Both are pharmaceutical companies. Johnson & Johnson divested from its consumer health business, while Kenvue now holds the rights to sell Tylenol.
- What is Kenvue’s stance? Kenvue claims the lawsuit lacks legal and scientific merit, emphasizing acetaminophen’s safety for pregnant women.
- What did the WHO say? The WHO stated there is no established link between paracetamol and autism, urging caution before assuming a causal relationship.
