Medicine Shortages, Healthcare Workforce & Pesticide Controls

❓ Growing medicines shortages and price increases

In a PQ (E-001602/2026 from Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos, (NI)), concerns were raised regarding the impact of the Middle East conflict and EU pharmaceutical policies on medicine shortages and prices. The MEP questioned the need to control medicine stocks and prices, and to produce necessary quantities at regulated prices without further subsidies to the pharmaceutical industry. Responses from the Commission are pending.

❗ COVID-19 vaccines and fertility

In a PQ (E-000830/26 from Gerald Hauser, (PfE)), the MEP inquired about a potential correlation between COVID-19 vaccination status and declining birth rates, referencing a study from the Czech Republic, and asked if the Commission intends to undertake an independent epidemiological investigation. In a response published on 29.04.2026, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that there is no scientific evidence of an association between COVID-19 vaccines and impaired fertility. He noted that short-term variations in fertility trends during the pandemic were attributed to behavioural changes and that the Commission does not consider a specific study necessary.

❗ EU funding to address healthcare workforce shortages

In a PQ (E-000363/26 from Olivier Chastel, (Renew), Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, (Renew), and Irena Joveva, (Renew)), MEPs asked what measures the Commission will implement to prioritise funding for initiatives aimed at improving the healthcare workforce situation over the next decade. In a response published on 28.04.2026, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that the Commission provides funding through programmes like EU4Health, Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, and the European Social Fund+. He highlighted that Member States have allocated EUR 42.7 billion to healthcare in their national recovery and resilience plans, and that the proposed European Competitiveness Fund provides further opportunities for strengthening the health workforce.

❓ Primary health and emergency care infrastructure in remote areas

In a PQ (E-001666/2026 from Sakis Arnaoutoglou, (S&D)), the MEP highlighted the lack of health services in the mountainous Acheloos Valley in Greece and asked how cohesion policy financial instruments could be used to support primary health and emergency care infrastructure in such remote areas. Responses from the Commission are pending.

❗ Legal status and safety of energy powders for inhalation

In a PQ (P-000828/26 from Biljana Borzan, (S&D)), concerns were raised about the aggressive marketing of “energy powders for inhalation” and their appeal to minors. The MEP asked how the Commission assesses their legal status and whether a scientific risk assessment will be mandated. In a response published on 03.05.2026, Commissioner McGrath stated that these products are not intended to be ingested and therefore cannot be considered food. Instead, they fall under the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR). He noted that Member States are responsible for monitoring product safety and that the Commission is monitoring notifications to the Safety Gate regarding these products.

❓ Adequacy of substance use prevention and treatment policies

In a PQ (E-001595/2026 from Nikos Pappas, (The Left)), the MEP questioned the adequacy of European policies on prevention, early intervention, and personalised treatment for substance use, specifically in light of recent legislative changes in Greece. Responses from the Commission are pending.

❓ Long-term neurological effects of artificial sweeteners

In a PQ (E-001645/2026 from Krzysztof Brejza, (PPE)), the MEP cited recent scientific evidence suggesting a possible association between artificial sweeteners and cognitive decline. The MEP asked if the Commission intends to request an updated risk assessment from EFSA addressing these long-term effects. Responses from the Commission are pending.

❓ Classification of lithium as an essential nutrient

In a PQ (E-001488/2026 from Gerald Hauser, (PfE)), the MEP requested an update on whether EFSA has issued an opinion concerning lithium as a potentially essential nutrient and what the next steps are for the Commission. Responses from the Commission are pending.

❗ Controls on agricultural imports and pesticide residues

in a series of PQs (E-001662/2026 from Konstantinos Arvanitis, (The Left), E-001655/2026 from Galato Alexandraki, (ECR), and E-000507/26 from Emmanouil Fragkos, (ECR)), MEPs raised concerns about the import of agricultural products, particularly from non-EU countries like Türkiye, that do not meet EU standards for pesticide residues and food safety. The MEPs called for strengthened border controls, enhanced surveillance, and measures to prevent unfair competition for European producers. In a response published on 28.04.2026 regarding Turkish imports, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that the Commission reviews measures at least twice a year based on risk information, including RASFF notifications. He highlighted that on 9 December 2025, the Commission announced a series of measures to strengthen import controls, including a 50% increase in audits in non-EU countries and a 33% increase in audits at EU border control posts. Responses from the Commission for the other PQs are pending.

❗ Protection of workers exposed to formaldehyde

In a PQ (E-000967/26 from Marianne Vind, (S&D) and others), MEPs raised concerns about the occupational exposure limit for formaldehyde, citing cases of medical students developing cancer and allegations of industry lobbying influencing the current limit. In a response published on 28.04.2026, Executive Vice-President Mînzatu stated that the current occupational exposure limit of 0.3 ppm was based on a comprehensive evidence-based process. She noted that the Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work (ACSH) is discussing a possible updated list of chemicals for which they would advise the Commission on setting new or revising existing limits, with an update expected by mid-2026.

❗ Vaccination against avian influenza

In a PQ (E-000860/26 from Sergio Berlato, (ECR)), the MEP asked about the transparency and efficacy of recently authorised veterinary vaccines against avian influenza, as well as structural prevention measures. In a response published on 28.04.2026, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that authorisations under exceptional circumstances are valid for one year and subject to re-examination. He confirmed that assessment reports are publicly available in the EU Product Database, ensuring transparency, and noted that poultry holding density should be considered a major contributing factor for epidemics when designing prevention strategies.

All Parliamentary Questions and Commission Answers are accessible via Policy-Insider.AI.