Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit Tuesday against Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue, accusing the companies of deceptively marketing Tylenol to pregnant women despite knowing that early exposure to acetaminophen, Tylenol’s active ingredient, increases the risk of autism and other developmental disorders.
“Big Pharma betrayed America by profiting off of pain and pushing pills regardless of the risks. These corporations lied for decades, knowingly endangering millions to line their pockets,” Paxton said. He also criticized Johnson & Johnson for attempting to transfer liability to Kenvue in an effort to avoid accountability, calling the maneuver illegal. “By holding Big Pharma accountable for poisoning our people, we will help Make America Healthy Again,” he added.
The lawsuit alleges that Johnson & Johnson ignored and sought to suppress research showing that prenatal and early-childhood exposure to acetaminophen could contribute to autism and ADHD in children. Despite this knowledge, the company marketed Tylenol as safe for pregnant women, in violation of Texas consumer protection laws.
Paxton also claims Johnson & Johnson violated the Texas Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act by moving liabilities associated with Tylenol to Kenvue, shielding assets from potential lawsuits tied to the drug’s harmful effects.
The Texas attorney general has previously taken legal action against other pharmaceutical companies, including suing Pfizer over the COVID-19 vaccine and pursuing Eli Lilly for allegedly bribing providers to prescribe its medications. He also secured a $700 million settlement with Johnson & Johnson in a separate case.
