Shares of Kenvue, the maker of Tylenol, tumbled more than 9% Friday after reports surfaced that federal health officials may tie the use of the pain reliever during pregnancy to autism.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to issue a report suggesting Tylenol use in pregnancy could be one of several factors contributing to autism. The news rattled investors, though federal officials stressed that the report has not yet been released and that its contents remain speculative.
A spokesperson for HHS said the agency is applying rigorous scientific review to better understand the rise in autism rates. Kennedy, who has long raised questions about medical practices that mainstream science deems safe, has pledged to focus on identifying potential causes of autism.
Kenvue defended Tylenol’s safety, noting that acetaminophen—the drug’s active ingredient—has been studied for more than a decade by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The company said those reviews have not found evidence supporting a causal link to autism. It added that patient safety remains its top priority and welcomed HHS’s acknowledgment that the report is not final.
While many over-the-counter medicines also contain acetaminophen, including products sold by Procter & Gamble and Haleon, their stocks showed little movement Friday. Haleon shares fell less than 1%, and Procter & Gamble’s stock ended slightly higher.
Kenvue, which also markets Benadryl and Sudafed, faces heightened pressure as investors weigh the potential impact of any federal findings on Tylenol, one of the most widely used pain relievers worldwide.
Source: Investopedia