Shares in the manufacturer of Tylenol plunged on Friday following a report that Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is planning to release a report showing a potential link between the over-the-counter drug and autism.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Kennedy’s HHS is expected to release a report this month on potential causes of autism that is likely to show Tylenol taken during pregnancy and low levels of the vitamin folate, according to people familiar with the matter.
Tylenol is a popular over-the-counter drug used for pain relief and fever reduction and addressing symptoms of illnesses ranging from headaches and cold or flu symptoms to allergies. The active ingredient in Tylenol is acetaminophen, which is used in similar over-the-counter drugs. The medical profession has said that products containing acetaminophen are safe for women to take when pregnant.
Shares in Kenvue, the parent of Tylenol maker McNeil Consumer Healthcare, plunged following the report, declining more than 14% in Friday afternoon trading.
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Since his confirmation as HHS secretary earlier this year, Kennedy has pledged to prioritize a report into the causes of autism. At a Cabinet meeting with President Donald Trump this spring, Kennedy said, “By September, we will know what has caused the autism epidemic.”
The ambitious timeline Kennedy outlined was criticized as unrealistic and unsuitable for a full scientific inquiry. The Autism Society of America said the claim was “harmful, misleading and unrealistic,” adding that using language referring to autism as an “epidemic” is “both inaccurate and stigmatizing.”
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According to the Journal’s report, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is putting together the report largely based on existing research. It’s also expected to suggest other potential causes of autism and other areas for future research on the subject, the Journal’s sources said.
The parent company of Tylenol manufacturer McNeil Consumer Healthcare pushed back on the report about the HHS’ anticipated findings.
“Nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of the people who use our products,” a Kenvue spokeswoman told the Journal. “We have continuously evaluated the science and continue to believe there is no causal link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism.”
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Kennedy’s HHS pushed back on the Journal’s report, saying that any claims about the contents of the forthcoming report are speculative until it’s released.
“We are using gold-standard science to get to the bottom of America’s unprecedented rise in autism rates. Until we release the final report, any claims about its contents are nothing more than speculation,” an HHS spokesperson told FOX Business.
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