Kenvue CEO Urges RFK Jr. Not to Link Tylenol to Autism, WSJ Reports

Kenvue’s interim CEO, Kirk Perry, met with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and urged him not to list Tylenol as a potential cause of autism in an upcoming report, according to a person familiar with the matter cited by The Wall Street Journal on Friday.

The report stated that Perry, during a hastily scheduled meeting this week, argued that there is no clear link between the two.

The WSJ also reported that on September 5, the U.S. Secretary of Health was planning to announce that the use of Tylenol—a widely used over-the-counter pain reliever—by pregnant women may be associated with an increased risk of autism, contradicting existing medical guidelines that consider its use safe.

Following the report last week, Kenvue’s shares dropped by more than 9% to $18.62, before showing a modest recovery on Friday.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment.

In a response via email, Kenvue stated, “As we do with any regulator, we have engaged in scientific discussions with the Secretary and his team regarding the safety of our products.”

The company emphasized its belief that taking acetaminophen—the active ingredient in Tylenol—does not cause autism.

According to the WSJ, Kenvue officials also argued that there are very few safe alternatives to acetaminophen for reducing fever in pregnant women.

Claims of a possible link have been at the center of lawsuits filed by parents and autism advocates against retailers in the United States.

Attorney Ashley Keller, who is leading cases related to claims that using Tylenol during pregnancy causes autism, said she plans to publish a statement from HHS on this alleged link in the U.S. Court of Appeals to reconsider reopening the dismissed cases.

The lawsuits were previously dismissed after a judge ruled that the scientific evidence presented by the plaintiffs was insufficient.

Keller stated, “I believe if HHS moves forward and does the right thing, I’ll inform the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. This is highly relevant.”

However, researchers say there is no conclusive evidence linking the use of the drug to autism.