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Tylenol maker Kenvue’s stock rose 6.01% in premarket trading on September 23 to $17.99. The recovery followed the severe 7.47% decline a day earlier, following a warning released by the Trump administration linking the use of Tylenol during pregnancy with autism, a controversial statement. Kenvue share price has plummeted over 25% in the last half year, much of it owing to increased lawsuits and increasing scrutiny.
Kenvue stock chart on TradingView shows gains of 5.89% at press time in pre-market trading:
Since its 2023 spin-off from Johnson & Johnson, Kenvue has been hit with more than 500 lawsuits alleging prenatal Tylenol exposure led to autism. Although a federal judge dismissed these cases due to a lack of evidence, the revived political attention has rekindled the concerns.
Kenvue still maintains that acetaminophen, the active substance in Tylenol, is safe, referencing a 2024 Swedish study of 2.5 million children in which there was no correlation between the medication and autism. Citigroup analysts indicate that while legal threats are still contained, reputational harm is possible and could impact sales.
The scandal evoked global reaction. UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting requested British citizens to disregard Donald Trump's assertions, as the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) alerted that paracetamol avoidance during pregnancy would damage unborn babies. The public censure of the US president by the UK highlights the global implications of health disinformation.
Kenvue shares’ rapid recovery indicates that investors are confident in the brand's resilience, but the task now is to rebuild consumer confidence. With misinformation traveling faster than scientific facts, the likes of Kenvue need to prioritize transparency, engage in more intense interactions with healthcare providers, and develop international communication strategies. The path forward isn't merely about standing up for Tylenol; it's about making a standard for corporate accountability in public health debates.
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