Officials from the European Union (EU) and World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday rebuked claims from President Trump and his administration linking acetaminophen use to the development of autism.
“Available evidence has found no link between the use of paracetamol during pregnancy and autism,” the European Medicines Agency (EMA) said in a statement to Reuters.
European Commission spokesperson Eva Hrncirova later confirmed the conclusion stating, the EMA is overseeing “very strict control to every product that goes to the European market, has not found any evidence linking the use of paracetamol during the pregnancy and autism.”
The agency noted that paracetamol or acetaminophen, the drug found in Tylenol used to treat fevers and pain, can be used during pregnancy when needed.
WHO spokesperson Tarik Jašarević also said Tuesday evidence linking Tylenol and autism “remains inconsistent” and warned against “casual conclusions” connecting 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 said. “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.
