Nigel Farage has refused to say Donald Trump was irresponsible for claiming paracetamol could cause autism in babies. The Reform UK leader told LBC he had "no idea" whether the US president was correct, adding that "science is never settled".
When asked by Nick Ferrari whether Trump was right to make the link, Farage replied: "I have no idea… you know, we were told thalidomide was a very safe drug and it wasn't. Who knows, Nick, I don't know, you don't know." He suggested Trump feels personally about autism because "there's been some in his family".
Trump earlier this week claimed there has been a "meteoric rise" in autism cases and suggested Tylenol - known as paracetamol in the UK - is a potential cause. The president said pregnant women should not take the painkillers and should instead "tough it out", whilst also raising unfounded concerns about vaccines.
Medical experts respond
Health Secretary Wes Streeting (Labour) dismissed Trump's claims, telling ITV's Lorraine: "I trust doctors over President Trump, frankly, on this." He urged pregnant women not to pay "any attention whatsoever" to the US president's comments.
Streeting emphasised there is "no evidence to link the use of paracetamol by pregnant women to autism in their children". He cited a major 2024 Swedish study involving 2.4 million children that did not uphold Trump's claims.
Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, outgoing chairman of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, warned of the danger posed by Trump's comments. "I am really worried that this rise of misinformation from many different parties, including the government in the United States, does undermine confidence globally," he told BBC Radio 4.
Official health guidance
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency issued a statement confirming there is "no evidence that taking paracetamol during pregnancy causes autism in children". Dr Alison Cave, chief safety officer at the MHRA, said paracetamol "remains the recommended pain relief option for pregnant women when used as directed".
Cave stressed that untreated pain and fever can pose risks to unborn babies, making it important to manage symptoms with recommended treatment. She advised pregnant women to continue following NHS guidance and speak to healthcare professionals about any medication concerns.
Trump's comments have drawn criticism from autism campaigners and scientists in the UK and around the world.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
