Medicine Supply Security, Health Workforce Crisis & Chemical & Pesticide Regulation

❗ Commission addresses medicine shortages and supply chain vulnerabilities

In a question (E-000276/26 from Afroditi Latinopoulou, (PfE)) and a priority question (P-001187/2026 from Friedrich Pürner, (NI)), MEPs raised concerns about recurrent medicine shortages in Greece and the broader impact of the war in the Middle East on the supply chains for medical products. In a response published on 01.04.2026, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that addressing shortages is a priority, highlighting the role of the EMA’s Medicines Shortages Steering Group and the Voluntary Solidarity Mechanism. He noted that the new Pharmaceutical Regulation and the proposed Critical Medicines Act will provide a more robust EU framework for managing critical shortages and enhancing supply security. A response to the question on the Middle East conflict’s impact is pending.

❗ Commission clarifies roles in ensuring access to authorised gene therapies

Regarding unequal access across Member States to Vyjuvek, a gene therapy for a rare disease, the Commission was asked about its compatibility with EU health policy (E-000331/26 from Alvise Pérez, (NI)). In a response published on 01.04.2026, Commissioner Várhelyi clarified that while the Commission grants EU-wide marketing authorisation, it is the responsibility of the holder to apply for pricing and reimbursement at the national level. He noted that the revision of the pharmaceutical legislation aims to accelerate patient access through a priority medicines scheme and new provisions that can penalise marketing authorisation holders for failing to make products available within three years by removing market protection.

❗ EU framework and new legislation to tackle unregulated advanced therapies

In response to a question on experimental therapies marketed directly to patients (E-000200/26), Commissioner Várhelyi stated on 01.04.2026 that EU and national regulators are vigilant in ensuring patient safety. He highlighted that Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) require marketing authorisation, an approved clinical trial, or a hospital exemption. The Commission pointed to joint statements from the EMA and Heads of Medicines Agencies warning of risks, and noted that the new EU pharmaceutical legislation will tighten oversight of hospital exemption rules to close potential loopholes.

❗ Commission asserts EU-India FTA will not harm EU medicine production

In an answer published on 03.04.2026 regarding the EU-India Free Trade Agreement’s impact on the EU medical sector (E-000460/26), Commissioner Šefčovič stated that the Commission does not expect a negative impact on EU medicine production. He explained that the EU does not generally levy duties on imported medicines, so the FTA will not further liberalise imports. The response also affirmed there is no contradiction between the FTA and the proposed Critical Medicines Act, which aims to strengthen the EU’s security of supply and support investments in EU manufacturing.

❓ Third-party litigation funding and the Product Liability Directive

In a question (E-001157/2026 from Tobiasz Bocheński, (ECR)), the Commission was asked about the combined effects of the revised Product Liability Directive (PLD), the Representative Actions Directive, and the growth of third-party litigation funding (TPLF) on EU competitiveness. The MEP inquired whether the Commission will issue guidance for PLD implementation and why it has not yet proposed regulation for TPLF despite Parliament’s call. A response from the Commission is pending.

❗ Commission addresses critical state of Greek health system

In a series of PQs (E-000269/26 and E-004728/25 from Galato Alexandraki, (ECR)), an MEP highlighted the severe operational crisis in Greek public hospitals due to understaffing and critical shortcomings in the National Centre for Emergency Care (EKAB). In responses published on 01.04.2026, Commissioner Várhelyi acknowledged the challenges, referencing analysis that identifies persistent shortages hampering access to care. While reiterating that the organisation of health services is a Member State responsibility under Article 168(7) TFEU, he outlined EU support through the European Semester recommendations, Greece’s recovery and resilience plan, and funding from the European Social Fund Plus and European Regional Development Fund for modernising health services, including the purchase of ambulances.

❓ MEPs flag nursing shortages and long COVID as occupational disease

In PQs (E-001034/2026 from Dan-Ştefan Motreanu, (PPE)) and (E-001261/2026 from Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, (S&D)), MEPs raised concerns over widespread nursing shortages jeopardising patient safety and the need to recognise long COVID as an occupational disease for healthcare and social care workers. They asked what actions the Commission intends to take to support Member States in addressing these workforce challenges, improving retention, and ensuring adequate income protection for affected workers. Responses from the Commission are pending.

❗ Commission details improvements to alert mechanism for healthcare professionals

In response to a question on the alert mechanism for professionals prohibited or restricted from practice (E-000428/26), Executive Vice-President Mînzatu explained on 30.03.2026 that Directive 2005/36/EC provides a single mandatory EU-level warning system via the Internal Market Information (IMI) system. While follow-up is a Member State competence, the Commission is monitoring the mechanism’s effectiveness, providing new guidelines and training to competent authorities, and planning further IT developments. The Commission will continue to consider further improvements without prejudice to Member State competences in healthcare and education.

❓ Commission questioned on plans to save EU health systems

A question (E-001241/2026 from Gerald Hauser, (PfE)) criticising the proposed European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) asks how the Commission intends to save the EU’s allegedly collapsing health systems, among other queries on energy and the digital wallet. A response from the Commission is pending.

❗ Commission defends COVID-19 vaccine approval process and efficacy

In an answer published on 01.04.2026 (E-000367/26), Commissioner Várhelyi responded to a question on COVID-19 mortality data and vaccines. He stated that vaccines used during the pandemic went through rigorous testing and were authorised based on a positive risk/benefit balance. The Commission cited estimates that vaccination prevented 1.6 million deaths in Europe and noted that the ECDC publicly reported mortality data collected from Member States during the pandemic.

❗ Commission details response to infant formula contamination

Following an incident of cereulide contamination in Nestlé products, the Commission was asked about its response (E-000377/2026). In a reply published on 01.04.2026, Commissioner Várhelyi confirmed that the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) was activated for cross-border coordination. Since the likely source was arachidonic acid oil from China, the Commission adopted measures requiring mandatory analysis, certification, and stricter border controls for this product. He also reiterated that food business operators hold the primary responsibility for ensuring their products comply with food law.

❗ EU strategies address gender-based violence and support for victims

In a response published on 03.04.2026 (E-005078/25), Commissioner Lahbib outlined EU efforts to combat gender-based violence. The Commission highlighted that the proposed AgoraEU programme will include a Daphne objective to protect victims. The European Affordable Housing Plan encourages support for vulnerable groups, including victims of gender-based violence, and the new Gender Equality Strategy 2026-2030 prioritises freedom from such violence. The Commission will monitor the transposition of Directive (EU) 2024/1385, which requires specialist support services for victims.

❓ Commission questioned on Portuguese law affecting transgender healthcare

A question (E-001183/2026 from Catarina Martins, (The Left)) raises concerns that a legislative process in Portugal to repeal the right to self-determination of gender identity could deny access to specific healthcare for transgender people. The Commission is asked if such measures are consistent with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the LGBTIQ+ equality strategy. A response from the Commission is pending.

❓ Scrutiny on pesticide and chemical regulations

In a series of PQs (E-001266/2026 from Luke Ming Flanagan, (The Left), P-001214/2026 from Riho Terras, (PPE), and E-001213/2026 from César Luena, (S&D)), MEPs raised questions on environmental health regulations. The inquiries focused on the enforcement of maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticides on citrus fruits, the coherence of restricting lead shot under the REACH Regulation for indoor shooting disciplines, and the adequacy of the current framework for monitoring pesticides in soils to meet international biodiversity targets. Responses from the Commission are pending.

❓ MEP seeks clarity on Mercury Regulation implementation deadlines

A question (E-001289/2026 from Billy Kelleher, (Renew)) highlights concerns from business and agricultural actors about the costs and feasibility of the revised Mercury Regulation, which requires a phase-out of mercury-containing lamps. The Commission is asked to clarify if the implementation deadline of 31 December 2026 will be reviewed and whether an impact assessment was conducted on the viability of deadlines for small businesses. A response from the Commission is pending.

❓ Commission asked about asphalt waste contamination in Spain

In a question (E-001150/2026 from Ana Miranda Paz, (Verts/ALE)), an MEP asks if the Commission is aware of an environmental problem in Cabanas, Spain, where 290,000 tonnes of asphalt waste has allegedly led to water contamination with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and what measures it considers necessary. A response from the Commission is pending.

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