Texas Legal professional Normal Ken Paxton (R) introduced Tuesday he might be suing drugmakers of acetaminophen for “deceptively marketing Tylenol to pregnant mothers,” basing his accusations off President Trump’s unfounded claims that the remedy may very well be linked to autism.
In an announcement, Paxton, who’s difficult Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) in subsequent yr’s midterms, claimed that Kenvue and Johnson & Johnson ignored proof that acetaminophen may trigger autism or ADHD.
The medical group has spoken out forcefully towards these claims, with organizations representing OB-GYNs and fetal drugs specialists defending the over-the-counter drug’s use in pregnant girls.
“Big Pharma betrayed America by profiting off of pain and pushing pills regardless of the risks. These corporations lied for decades, knowingly endangering millions to line their pockets,” Paxton mentioned in an announcement.
“Additionally, seeing that the day of reckoning was coming, Johnson & Johnson attempted to escape responsibility by illegally offloading their liability onto a different company. By holding Big Pharma accountable for poisoning our people, we will help Make America Healthy Again.”
Tylenol is likely one of the solely over-the-counter ache drugs that’s thought-about secure for pregnant girls.
Johnson & Johnson was the unique vendor of Tylenol earlier than it spun off its shopper well being enterprise as Kenvue, with the latter turning into a completely impartial firm in 2023. Paxton alleged that Johnson & Johnson violated the Texas Uniform Fraudulent Switch Act by “fraudulently transferring liabilities arising from Tylenol” to Kenvue.
The announcement comes only one month after Trump mentioned within the Oval Workplace that “taking Tylenol is not good,” and telling pregnant girls to “fight like hell not to take it.”
“Nothing is extra essential to us than the well being and security of the individuals who use our merchandise. We’re deeply involved by the perpetuation of misinformation on the security of acetaminophen and the potential affect that might have on the well being of American girls and kids,” Kenvue mentioned in an announcement to The Hill.
“We will vigorously defend ourselves against these claims and respond per the legal process,” the corporate added. “We stand firmly with the global medical community that acknowledges the safety of acetaminophen and believe we will continue to be successful in litigation as these claims lack legal merit and scientific support.”
The Hill has reached out to Johnson & Johnson for additional remark.
