Donald Trump has suggested, without presenting scientific evidence, that the rise in autism in the country may be caused by the use of the painkiller paracetamol in pregnant women and vaccination.

Flanked by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and one of the faces of the anti-vaccine movement in the country, Trump suggested imposing limits on the use of paracetamol—better known in the United States by the brand name Tylenol—during pregnancy, citing the drug as a possible cause of autism, although this causal link has been investigated and not proven.

Today, the National Medicines Authority of Portugal (Infarmed) announced that the use of paracetamol during pregnancy remains unchanged, insisting on the lack of evidence to justify changes in the recommendations regarding the use of this painkiller in the European Union.

It states that in 2019, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) reviewed available studies investigating the neurodevelopment of children exposed to paracetamol in utero, concluding that "the results were inconclusive" and that "it was not possible to establish a link with neurodevelopmental disorders."

"A large body of data from pregnant women who used this medication during pregnancy indicates that there is no risk of malformations in the developing foetus or newborn," it states.

Infarmed emphasises that, when necessary, paracetamol can be used during pregnancy and explains: "As with any acute treatment medication, it should be used at the lowest effective dose, for the shortest possible duration, and as infrequently as necessary."

They also advise pregnant women to speak with their healthcare professional if they have questions about any medication during pregnancy.

The EMA and the competent national authorities in the EU "will continue to monitor the safety of medicines containing paracetamol and will rapidly evaluate any new data that emerge," the statement said, adding that regulatory action will be taken "whenever warranted" to protect public health.

On Monday, Trump said that paracetamol is "possibly associated with a much higher risk of autism," advising women not to take it during pregnancy, but he did not present any scientific evidence.

Alternatively, he cited rumours that "there is virtually no autism" in Cuba because the country cannot afford Tylenol, the most popular brand of paracetamol.

Experts have stated that the increase in cases in the United States is primarily due to a new definition of the disorder, which now includes mild cases on a "spectrum" and more precise diagnoses, and that there is no single cause.