Barack Obama has given a strong response to Donald Trump’s recent claims regarding Tylenol and its alleged links to autism when used during pregnancy.
This controversy began when Trump made a statement on Monday, September 22, asserting: “They are strongly recommending that women limit Tylenol use during pregnancy unless medically necessary.”
Trump urged pregnant women to avoid using Tylenol, despite the World Health Organization (WHO) asserting that there is currently no definitive scientific evidence supporting a connection between autism and the use of acetaminophen, the generic name for Tylenol.
In response to Trump’s remarks, the WHO issued a statement explaining: “Globally, nearly 62 million people (1 in 127) have autism spectrum disorder, a diverse group of conditions related to development of the brain. Although awareness and diagnosis have improved in recent years, the exact causes of autism have not been established, and it is understood there are multiple factors that can be involved.”
As the controversy surrounding Tylenol continued to unfold, Obama addressed the topic in a conversation with historian David Olusoga in London.
Obama made his stance clear, referencing Trump’s assertions about Tylenol: “We have the spectacle of my successor in the Oval Office making broad claims around certain drugs and autism that have been continuously disproved.”
He continued, emphasizing the potential harm of such statements: “The degree to which that undermines public health, the degree to which that can do harm to women who are pregnant, the degree to which that creates anxiety for parents who do have children who are autistic which, by the way, itself is subject to a spectrum and a lot of what is being trumpeted as these massive increases actually have to do with a broadening of criteria across that spectrum so that people can actually get services and help…”
“All of that is violence against the truth.”
In a separate statement, Tylenol addressed the issue, underscoring the safety and extensive research backing their product. The company stated, “Tylenol is one of the most studied medications in history.”
The company further assured: “The facts remain unchanged: over a decade of rigorous research, endorsed by leading medical professionals, confirm there is no credible evidence linking acetaminophen to autism.”
The statement reiterated that acetaminophen is widely used globally for pain relief and fever reduction, following recommendations from independent health professionals and usage guidelines. Tylenol emphasized the importance of consulting with a doctor and highlighted that untreated high fevers and pain could pose risks during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester.
The company concluded by reaffirming their commitment to science as the foundation for providing care.