In a recent legal battle, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has brought forth a lawsuit against pharmaceutical giants Johnson & Johnson and their spin-off company Kenvue. The lawsuit, according to the Texas Attorney General's office, accuses the companies of misleading expectant mothers about the safety of Tylenol. Paxton alleges that the companies were aware that the drug's active ingredient, acetaminophen, might pose significant risks to the unborn, potentially leading to autism and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
"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 claimed. According to the Texas Attorney General's office, the deception cited was in stark violation of Texas's consumer protection laws. The actions by Johnson & Johnson included not only ignoring the conceivable dangers posed by Tylenol but also an alleged attempt to unlawfully offload liabilities related to the product onto Kenvue.
The issue of prenatal acetaminophen exposure has been previously noted by the Trump Administration, highlighting a considerable body of evidence. In the face of such claims, Johnson & Johnson has been accused of fraudulent actions that violate the Texas Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act. They purportedly transferred Tylenol liabilities in an effort to protect assets from lawsuits about the drug's negative effects on children. This lawsuit comes on the heels of Attorney General Paxton's other legal confrontations with Big Pharma, such as the lawsuit against Pfizer over the COVID-19 vaccine and Eli Lilly for allegations of bribery.
Paxton's crusade against what he perceives as the destruction of America's health by pharmaceutical companies is not new. According to the lawsuit, Tylenol was misleadingly marketed as safe for pregnant women despite the known dangers. The Attorney General's previous lawsuits include a settlement of $700 million with Johnson & Johnson over claims related to their baby powder products, as per the Texas Attorney General's office. Paxton is steadfast in his commitment to "Make America Healthy Again" by holding such corporations accountable for their actions.
