The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has assured Kenyan women that paracetamol is safe to use during pregnancy when taken under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.
Acting CEO Dr. Ahmed I. Mohamed on Thursday said the board is committed to protecting the health of both mothers and children while ensuring that medicines are used safely and effectively.
Paracetamol is among the most commonly used medicines in Kenya and worldwide.
Some studies have raised concerns about possible links between its use during pregnancy and conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, but Dr. Mohamed emphasized that there is no conclusive scientific evidence supporting these claims.
“The Board wishes to reassure the public that paracetamol remains a recommended medicine for the relief of pain and fever in pregnant women, provided it is taken as directed by a qualified healthcare professional,” he said.
The PPB’s Pharmacovigilance Division continues to monitor the safety of medicines used by expectant mothers and has not received any reports linking paracetamol to ASD or ADHD.
Dr. Mohamed called on pregnant women to avoid taking any medicine, including paracetamol, without guidance from a healthcare provider and encouraged medical professionals to offer proper counselling on its safe use.
He also urged the public to report any suspected side effects from medicines through the Pharmacovigilance electronic reporting system, the MPVERS mobile app, by phone at 0795 743 049, via email at pv@ppb.go.ke, or by dialing *271# for self-reporting.
Mohamed reiterated that the board remains vigilant in monitoring medicine safety and will provide updates as necessary to safeguard public health.