FIP has today issued a holding statement addressing recent claims linking paracetamol (acetaminophen) use during pregnancy with autism in children.

FIP emphasised that current scientific evidence does not support these claims. Evaluations by leading regulators — including the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration, and the European Medicines Agency, have found no causal link between paracetamol use in pregnancy and neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism or ADHD.

Paracetamol remains the recommended first-choice pain relief for pregnant women when used at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest duration. FIP urged expectant mothers to consult pharmacists and other healthcare professionals when considering any medicine, noting that untreated pain or fever can also pose risks.

The federation called for public health discussions to be grounded in evidence to safeguard trust in medicines and protect patient wellbeing.