Tylenol Maker Kenvue Met With RFK Jr. In A Bid To Keep OTC Painkiller Off Autism List: Report

Tylenol maker Kenvue Inc. (KVUE) reportedly met with the U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in a bid to keep the over-the-counter painkiller off a list of treatments causing autism.

According to a Bloomberg report, Kenvue confirmed the meeting with RFK Jr., maintaining that acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, does not cause autism.

Kenvue’s shares were up 1.24% in Friday’s opening trade. Retail sentiment on Stocktwits around the company trended in the ‘bullish’ territory.

Kenvue said in an emailed statement to Bloomberg that it engaged with the Health Secretary in a “scientific exchange” as it relates to the safety of its products. “We continue to believe that taking acetaminophen does not cause autism, and global health regulators, independent public health organizations, and medical professionals agree,” the company said, adding that acetaminophen is one of the most studied medications in history.

Tylenol is a part of Kenvue’s self-care segment, which accounted for more than 40% of the company’s revenue in the second quarter (Q2). The company’s organic sales fell 4.2% during the quarter, which was due to “weak allergy and sun seasons in North America, trade inventory fluctuations in certain customers, and changes in shipment timing versus last year in China,” according to a statement from Kenvue.

Last week, a report by The Wall Street Journal noted the Department of Health and Human Services could link autism to the use of Tylenol in pregnancy. The HHS report is expected to be issued this month, it added.

KVUE stock is down 11% year-to-date and 17% in the past 12 months.

Also See: Morgan Stanley Reportedly Expects 4 Rate Cuts Through January, Says Fed Will Aim To Arrive At Neutral Rates ‘More Decisively’

For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.