Pharmacy and Poisons Board assures paracetamol use during pregnancy safe
The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) urged pregnant women to avoid self-medication and to seek advice from qualified healthcare professionals before using any medication.
Kenya's national medicines regulatory authority, the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB), has reassured pregnant women that paracetamol (acetaminophen) remains safe for use during pregnancy when taken under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider.
In a statement released on Thursday, Acting CEO Dr Ahmed Mohamed addressed growing public concerns over the safety of paracetamol use during pregnancy, particularly its alleged association with developmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The Board urged pregnant women to avoid self-medication and to seek advice from qualified healthcare professionals before using any medication. Paracetamol remains one of the most widely used and recommended medicines worldwide to ease pain and fever in pregnancy, provided it is used appropriately and under medical supervision.
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"There is currently no conclusive scientific evidence confirming any association between paracetamol and these conditions," said Dr Ahmed.
It confirmed that it has not received any reports linking paracetamol use in pregnancy to ASD or ADHD, but continues to monitor the safety of medicines used during pregnancy to ensure the well-being of both mothers and their unborn children.
PPB also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public health and pledged to provide timely updates when new information becomes available. Healthcare providers are encouraged to report any suspected adverse effects related to medicine use, including paracetamol, through the Board's official reporting channels.
Amid ongoing public concerns, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has clarified that there is no conclusive scientific evidence linking the use of acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol) during pregnancy to autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Globally, approximately 62 million people are affected by autism spectrum disorder, a diverse group of conditions related to brain development. While awareness and diagnosis have improved significantly in recent years, the exact causes of autism remain unknown, and research continues to explore various genetic and environmental factors.
"Over the past decade, multiple large-scale studies have examined the potential association between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism. To date, these studies have not established any consistent or reliable link," said WHO.
The WHO reiterated that childhood vaccines do not cause autism. Decades of rigorous research and extensive data from multiple countries have repeatedly shown no association between vaccines, including those containing thiomersal or aluminium and autism or any other developmental disorders.
Multiple health bodies, including the European Medicines Agency (EMA), have dismissed claims suggesting a link between paracetamol use during pregnancy and autism. They stated that there is no new evidence warranting any changes to existing guidelines on paracetamol use, known as Tylenol in the United States (US), during pregnancy.
"Available evidence does not support a connection between paracetamol use in pregnancy and autism," EMA said in a statement.
The agency emphasised that paracetamol remains safe to use during pregnancy when medically necessary, provided it is taken at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible duration.
Guidelines on the use of paracetamol during pregnancy:
Use only when necessary: Paracetamol should be taken only when needed, and always at the correct dose and duration prescribed by a healthcare provider.
Avoid self-medication: Do not take any medicine, including paracetamol, without proper medical guidance.
Seek professional counselling: Healthcare professionals are encouraged to educate pregnant women on the safe and appropriate use of paracetamol and other medications.
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