(The Hill) — European Union (EU) and World Health Organization (WHO) officials on Tuesday dismissed claims made by President Donald Trump and his administration that acetaminophen use is linked to autism development.
“Available evidence has found no link between the use of paracetamol during pregnancy and autism,” stated the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to Reuters.
European Commission spokesperson Eva Hrncirova affirmed the finding, mentioning the EMA’s “very strict control of every product on the European market” and its failure to link paracetamol use during pregnancy to autism.
The agency clarified that paracetamol or acetaminophen, the ingredient in Tylenol used for treating fevers and pain, is permissible for use during pregnancy when necessary.
WHO spokesperson Tarik Jašarević added on Tuesday that any connection between Tylenol and autism is “inconsistent” and advised against making “casual conclusions” about the two.
World leaders have continued to speak out against Trump’s Monday statements alleging Tylenol was bad for pregnant mothers.
During remarks in the Oval Office, he struggled to properly pronounce acetaminophen, causing online laughter and clamor.
“Effective immediately, the [Food and Drug Administration] will be notifying physicians that the use of aceta— well, let’s see how we say that,” Trump remarked. “Acetam—enophin. Acetaminophen. Is that OK? Which is basically commonly known as Tylenol.”
“Fight like hell not to take it,” the president later told reporters.
World health leaders and even some lawmakers have made strong objections to the Trump administration’s premise on the drug.
“Suggestions that acetaminophen use in pregnancy causes autism are not only highly concerning to clinicians but also irresponsible when considering the harmful and confusing message they send to pregnant patients, including those who may need to rely on this beneficial medicine during pregnancy,” Steven J. Fleischman, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said in a statement.
The organization warned that untreated fever and pain in pregnant women can cause complications.
“Today’s announcement by [the Department of Health and Human Services] is not backed by the full body of scientific evidence and dangerously simplifies the many and complex causes of neurologic challenges in children,” Fleischman added. “It is highly unsettling that our federal health agencies are willing to make an announcement that will affect the health and well-being of millions of people without the backing of reliable data.”
The German Health Ministry echoed the concerns.
“In certain situations, taking medication is necessary to avoid endangering the mother and unborn child, for example, in the case of high fever,” a spokesperson told NBC News in a statement.
