Tylenol's Maker Receives Boost in Lawsuits After Trump's Comments
The recent comments made by President Trump linking Tylenol to autism have given a boost to ongoing lawsuits against the company that makes the pain reliever. According to lawyers representing patients who claim they were harmed by the drug, their firm has received over 1,000 calls from potential clients this week.
"We've seen a significant increase in inquiries since the president's comments," said attorney Michael Baum, who represents several plaintiffs in lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson, the maker of Tylenol. "People are starting to take notice and are looking for answers."
The lawsuits claim that exposure to acetaminophen during pregnancy is linked to an increased risk of autism in children. While some health experts have questioned the science behind these claims, others have expressed concerns about the potential risks associated with taking the medication.
President Trump made his comments last Monday at a meeting with health officials, including Dr. Jay Bhattacharya and Dr. Marty Makary. The president's statement was seen as a significant development in the ongoing debate over the safety of acetaminophen during pregnancy.
The FDA has not taken any action to change its guidelines on the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy, but some health experts have called for greater caution when prescribing the medication.
"We need to be careful about making sweeping statements that can cause unnecessary fear and anxiety," said Dr. Laura Riley, an obstetrician-gynecologist at Massachusetts General Hospital. "While we do know that there are risks associated with taking acetaminophen during pregnancy, we also know that it is a safe and effective medication when used properly."
Johnson & Johnson has maintained that its product is safe and effective, but the company has faced criticism for not doing enough to warn consumers about potential risks.
The lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson are ongoing, and it remains to be seen how the recent comments from President Trump will impact the cases. However, one thing is clear: the debate over the safety of acetaminophen during pregnancy is far from over.
Background:
Acetaminophen, also known as Tylenol, is a widely used pain reliever that has been linked to an increased risk of autism in children. Several studies have suggested that exposure to the medication during pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
The lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson claim that the company failed to adequately warn consumers about potential risks associated with taking acetaminophen during pregnancy.
In 2019, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that exposure to acetaminophen during pregnancy was linked to an increased risk of ASD. The study suggested that mothers who took acetaminophen during pregnancy were more likely to have children with ASD than those who did not take the medication.
The FDA has not taken any action to change its guidelines on the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy, but some health experts have called for greater caution when prescribing the medication.
*Reporting by Npr.*
