UK health officials push back as Trump paracetamol claims trigger pharmacy inquiries

A surge in pregnant women in Britain contacting local pharmacies about paracetamol safety followed US President Donald Trump's claims that the painkiller could be linked to autism. Trump said there had been a meteoric rise in autism cases and suggested Tylenol, known as paracetamol in the UK, should not be taken during pregnancy.

The Independent Pharmacies Association said pharmacists had fielded questions from expectant mothers. IPA chief executive Dr Leyla Hannbeck said that some pregnant women had reached out to local pharmacists about the impact of paracetamol following Trump's claim, noting that paracetamol has been used for years and is a safe pain killer in pregnancy when used as directed; she added that untreated pain and fever can have more impact on the baby than taking paracetamol as directed. She urged that information from the White House align with evidence to avoid safety issues and unnecessary worry among patients.

In Britain, Health Secretary Wes Streeting told ITV's Lorraine that there is no evidence linking paracetamol to autism, and he urged expectant mothers to ignore the US president's statements. Streeting cited a 2024 Swedish study involving about 2.4 million children that did not support the link, and he emphasized that people should rely on doctors and UK health experts for medical guidance.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said there is no evidence that taking paracetamol during pregnancy causes autism in children. MHRA chief safety officer Dr Alison Cave noted that paracetamol remains the recommended pain relief option for pregnant women when used as directed. She advised pregnant women to follow NHS guidance and talk with a healthcare professional about any medication during pregnancy, adding that untreated pain and fever can pose risks to the unborn baby and should be managed with the recommended treatment. The agency also said it continually monitors medicine safety and welcomes reports of suspected side effects via the Yellow Card scheme.

Mel Merritt, head of policy and campaigns at the National Autistic Society, said misinformation about autism from Trump and Kennedy Jr risks undermining decades of research. The NAS urged the government and NHS to stand by autistic people and to condemn misinformation, directing people to trusted sources such as the NHS and the NAS websites for information on autism.

Experts weigh in on the evidence: Monique Botha, an associate professor at Durham University, noted that many studies refute a link between paracetamol exposure in pregnancy and autism, ADHD or intellectual disability, pointing to a 2024 Swedish study that used sibling data and found no causal effect. She stressed that safe pain relief during pregnancy is important and cautioned that fearmongering could deter appropriate care. Claire Anderson, president of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, echoed that paracetamol has been used safely for decades and remains a first-line option for pain and fever; she cited the 2024 large study finding no link to autism.

In August this year, a Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Mount Sinai Hospital study suggested an association between acetaminophen exposure in pregnancy and heightened risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism and ADHD, while acknowledging the drug's role in treating fever and pain and the need to limit exposure where possible.

Health authorities say the public should continue to follow NHS guidance, consult healthcare professionals with any questions about medicines during pregnancy, and rely on evidence from trusted health agencies rather than unverified claims.