Farage weighs in on paracetamol-autism debate as Trump claims spark global scrutiny

London — Reform UK leader Nigel Farage declined to label President Trump's claim that paracetamol could be linked to autism as irresponsible, telling LBC he had 'no idea' whether the claim is correct. He added, 'We were told thalidomide was a very safe drug and it wasn't. Who knows. I don't know and you don't know.' These remarks come as the debate over paracetamol use during pregnancy continues to attract attention from political and medical circles.

Trump drew headlines on Monday by asserting that government health warnings would eventually be printed on paracetamol packets—sold in the United States under Tylenol—that would advise pregnant women to avoid the drug. He told reporters that pregnant women should limit use and later urged the public to 'fight like hell not to take it.' The remarks were Mr. Trump’s latest foray into medical storytelling, drawing swift scrutiny from health experts and officials worldwide.

Britain’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, which oversees pharmaceutical safety, stressed that there is 'no evidence that taking paracetamol during pregnancy causes autism in children.' The UK health regulator’s stance stands in contrast to Trump’s rhetoric and comes amid a broader, ongoing international inquiry into whether paracetamol use in pregnancy can influence neurodevelopment.

In the United Kingdom, Health Secretary Wes Streeting urged the public not to rely on political statements when it comes to medicine, saying, 'Don't pay any attention whatsoever to what Donald Trump says about medicine.' The NHS continues to designate paracetamol as the first-choice painkiller for use during pregnancy, but only for short periods and at the lowest effective dose, reflecting a cautious approach to treatment.

Across the Atlantic, several studies have suggested a possible association between maternal paracetamol use and higher rates of autism or ADHD, but findings remain inconsistent and are far from establishing causation. The most recent large analysis, published last month by researchers at Mount Sinai in New York and Harvard's School of Public Health, urged doctors to recommend paracetamol in pregnancy only after careful consultation, acknowledging that the evidence does not prove the drug directly causes autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders. The study authors stressed that the observed associations warrant further investigation and emphasized prudent use of the medication.

The discourse around paracetamol in pregnancy has mirrored a broader history of how society weighs drug safety. The debate has been especially sensitive because some parents fear stigma when discussing neurodevelopmental conditions, and experts have cautioned against overinterpreting early signals amid limited or conflicting data.

The reference frame for the current discussion is partly historical. Thalidomide—first marketed in the 1950s by the German company Gruenenthal Group and later assumed to be safe for morning sickness—became infamous when tens of thousands of babies were born with birth defects and limb malformations. The drug was withdrawn in 1961 after evidence of harm emerged. While thalidomide is now used under strict controls for specific conditions, including certain cancers and Hansen’s disease, its legacy continues to color public perception of drug safety and regulatory vigilance.

In that light, regulators and clinicians emphasize the difference between historical cautionary tales and contemporary evidence. Paracetamol remains widely used for pain and fever, including in pregnancy, but medical guidance continues to advocate the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. As the debate over potential links to autism persists, health authorities say responsible use and ongoing research are essential to ensure patient safety while avoiding unfounded fear.