Following the suggestion in a study published in Thorax that paracetamol may contribute to asthma morbidity (PJ, March 25, p459), the Medicines Control Agency has issued the following statement: "The Government's independent scientific advisory body, the Committee on Safety of Medicines, has considered the study and concluded that there is no reason for advising any change in use of paracetamol. Paracetamol is a safe and effective pain killer for many patients including asthmatics, children, the elderly and pregnant women."