Overview
- Analyzing electronic records from more than 1,600 hospitals and 37,000 clinics, researchers found ED acetaminophen orders for pregnant patients fell about 10% after Sept. 22, with a 20% weekly low in week three.
- Outpatient leucovorin prescriptions for children ages 5–17 rose roughly 71% overall, spiking 93% in the first month and more than doubling in week two.
- Orders for pregnant patients trended back toward baseline by early December, whereas leucovorin prescribing remained elevated through the study period.
- Authors emphasize the study shows associations, not causation, and note limits including no over‑the‑counter tracking, unclear patient versus clinician drivers, and no assessment of outcomes.
- Major medical groups and the FDA rejected the White House claims as unsupported, an HHS spokesperson defended the messaging, and clinicians warned of untreated fevers in pregnancy and a reported leucovorin shortage affecting chemotherapy care.