Tylenol Autism Debate Raises Concerns for Korea’s Painkiller Market (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Sept. 25 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s pharmaceutical industry is bracing for fallout after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that the widely used painkiller Tylenol could raise the risk of autism when taken during pregnancy, a claim experts say lacks scientific basis.
At a White House press conference on September 22, Trump said studies linked prenatal Tylenol use to autism and pledged to instruct the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to alert physicians.
The remarks prompted swift pushback. Tylenol’s manufacturer, Kenvue, issued a statement stressing that “independent and reliable scientific research clearly shows acetaminophen does not cause autism” and warning that misinformation could endanger maternal health. Britain’s health minister and autism researchers also dismissed the claim as unfounded.
Despite the rebuttals, Korean drugmakers fear Trump’s comments could shake consumer confidence, particularly because acetaminophen — Tylenol’s active ingredient — is the basis for many fever and pain medications sold domestically. If the FDA moves to add autism warnings to drug labels, Korean products containing the same ingredient could face spillover effects.
Industry officials note that Korea saw a similar disruption during the COVID-19 pandemic, when health authorities’ endorsement of Tylenol as a safe post-vaccination remedy led to shortages of the brand and a sharp drop in sales of alternative acetaminophen-based products. Some warn that a new wave of public concern could trigger another market imbalance.
Pharmacists say inquiries from pregnant women about safe alternatives have already increased. “Consumers trust official statements more than company explanations,” one industry official said, urging the Korean government to issue a clear reassurance backed by scientific evidence.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said it will request documentation from domestic manufacturers and importers of acetaminophen-based medicines in light of the U.S. debate and conduct its own review.
The Korean Pharmaceutical Association also issued a statement affirming that no major health authority has found sufficient evidence linking acetaminophen to autism, and emphasized that, under medical guidance, it remains one of the safest pain relievers available during pregnancy.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
