24 Sep 2025 | 09:14

Posted by Emma

24 SEPTEMBER 2025 - GENEVA, SWITZERLAND 


The Global Self-Care Federation (GSCF) and its Members are committed to making the safety of individuals its highest priority in the manufacture and responsible use of non-prescription medicines globally.

Paracetamol (included in the WHO Essential Medicines List) is one of the most widely used and trusted analgesics, with a well-established safety profile backed by decades of scientific evidence and extensive real-world use. 

Health authorities across the globe consistently recognize paracetamol as the only option for pain and fever considered appropriate for use during pregnancy, when taken as directed and under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

Current scientific evidence does not establish a causal link between acetaminophen use and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes, including autism. 

There is currently no evidence that would require changes to the current recommendations for use. This has been reinforced by numerous health authorities.

GSCF strongly supports continued high-quality, independent research to expand the evidence base, while ensuring that regulatory frameworks and public health guidance reflect the best available scientific data. We also emphasize the critical importance of empowering individuals with clear, evidence-based information to guide safe and effective self-care practices.

  • The statement from the European Medicines agency here.
  • The statement from the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) here.
  • The statement from the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) here.
  • The statement from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (UK) here.
  • The statement from the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) here.
  • The statement from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA Australia) here.
  • The statement from the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) here.
  • The statement from Health Canada here.
  • The statement from the Autism Science Foundation here.
  • The statement from the World Health Organization here.
  • The statement from the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) here.
  • Article published in the British Medical Journal (bmj) here.
  • Article published in Nature here.