Nigel Farage and Donald Trump have been “completely reckless” in claims paracetamol use by pregnant women causes autism, John Swinney has said.
The US President’s claimed doctors in America will be advised not to proscribe the painkiller to pregnant women after he addressed the link between the drug and autism.
That claim has been heavily debunked by experts.
However Mr Farage, who leads Reform UK, refused to criticise the comments by the US President’s claim.
He told LBC that thalidomide was once considered “very safe” as he referred to the scandal where pregnant women were given the tranquillizer in the early 1950s and 1960s.
It resulted in 10,000 of children being born with a range of severe deformities and caused thousands of miscarriages.
Mr Farage was asked whether he agrees with President Trump’s autism claims. He said: I have no idea … you know, we were told thalidomide was a very safe drug and it wasn't.”
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He also ruled out siding with experts who have disputed the link with paracetamol, adding: "I don't side with anybody, you know, because, because science is never settled, and we should remember that."
Mr Swinney was visibly appalled by Mr Farage’s remarks when journalists put the question to him following a speech on child poverty in Glasgow.
He said: “This is just recklessness. When I look at the progress that’s been made on vaccination programmes over my lifetime where conditions that were prevalent have been essentially extinguished.
“Polio to a large extent has been extinguished as a consequence of vaccination programmes – huge health achievements made as a consequence.
“I think we’ve got to follow careful, considered, scientific evidence and that’s what the Scottish Government does at all times.
“The comments that Nigel Farage makes today are completely reckless.”
The First Minister also said President Trump’s comments have “no foundation in clinical or scientific evidence”.
He added: “The Health Secretary on our part and various other clinical advisors around the world have made it absolutely clear that there is no such connection and that the appropriate and safe use of paracetamol is entirely appropriate within pregnancy.”
Mr Trump did not provide evidence for his claim but said his actions were because there had been a “meteoric rise” in the number of children with autism.
No idea and no backbone.
This is a man whose health adviser claimed at Reform’s Conference that the covid vaccine gave the Royal Family cancer.
Anti-science, anti-reason, anti-NHS.
Farage is the snake oil salesman of British politics and it’s time to stop buying his rubbish. https://t.co/K0kXnLMHbi— Wes Streeting (@wesstreeting) September 24, 2025
The US president said the drug “is no good” and that pregnant women should "fight like hell" to only take it in cases of extreme fever.
On Vaccines, Mr Trump said fragile babies were being pumped full of liquid like they were "horses" and that combination vaccines were harmful.
He also singled out the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) as one that he had heard a lot of bad things about it over the years.
Health Secretary Neil Gray warned the comments would have increased the anxiety facing pregnant women.
Chief Pharmaceutical Officer Professor Alison Strath said: “The strong evidence base available shows that paracetamol continues to be the safe, recommended choice for managing pain relief and fever during pregnancy. We know how important it is for pregnant women to feel confident about their healthcare choices, so please do continue following NHS guidance and have open conversations with your midwife, GP or pharmacist about any concerns.”
Medical experts have opposed Mr Trump's claims, with some calling the president's comments dangerous.
UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting also condemned the remarks by Mr Farage.
He wrote on X: “No idea and no backbone. This is a man whose health adviser claimed at Reform’s Conference that the covid vaccine gave the Royal Family cancer.
“Anti-science, anti-reason, anti-NHS.
“Farage is the snake oil salesman of British politics and it’s time to stop buying his rubbish.”
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