Overview
This report covers Parliamentary Questions (PQs) and Commission Answers published between 28.06.2026 and 05.07.2026. During this period, 10 new PQs were published and 14 Commission Answers became available. Key themes this week included Medicines & Regulation, Public Health & Prevention, Health Financing & Access to Care, Health Systems & Workforce, and External & Environment-Health Links.
❗ Medicines shortages and supply chain resilience
In a series of PQs (E-001602/2026 from Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos (NI), E-001673/2026), Members questioned the Commission on strategies to mitigate medicine shortages and support European manufacturing. In responses published on 3 July 2026, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that the Commission has not received signals of critical shortages resulting from Middle East conflicts and highlighted that the proposed Critical Medicines Act will support supply chain diversification and incentivise EU-based manufacturing in public procurement procedures.
❓ Ebola risk and mRNA vaccine deployment
In a series of PQs (E-002409/2026 from Gerald Hauser (PfE)), concerns were raised regarding the risk of an Ebola pandemic in the EU and the Commission’s involvement in supporting experimental mRNA vaccines through the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). Responses from the Commission are pending.
❗ Cancer occurrence following COVID-19 vaccination
In a series of PQs (E-001749/2026), an inquiry was made regarding alleged spikes in cancer rates following COVID-19 vaccination. In a response published on 3 July 2026, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that there is no scientific evidence of any increase in cancer occurrence following vaccination, noting that European Cancer Information System data shows a gradual long-term increase in early-onset cancers beginning well before 2020.
❓ Tobacco Products Directive revision and consultation transparency
In a series of PQs (E-002473/2026 from Mariateresa Vivaldini (ECR), E-002513/2026 from Tilly Metz (Verts/ALE), E-002547/2026 from Mohammed Chahim (S&D)), Members raised issues concerning the ongoing evaluation of the Tobacco Products Directive, including delays in publishing supporting studies, the impact of coordinated automated responses in public consultations, and calls for a ban on cigarette filters due to health and environmental risks. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❗ Safety of artificial sweeteners
In a series of PQs (E-001645/2026 from Krzysztof Brejza (PPE)), the safety and potential neurological effects of artificial sweeteners were questioned. In a response published on 3 July 2026, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) continues to monitor scientific evidence and considers authorised sweeteners safe within established acceptable daily intake levels.
❗ Classification of lithium as an essential nutrient
In a series of PQs (E-001488/2026 from Gerald Hauser (PfE)), the Commission was asked about the essentiality of lithium. In a response published on 3 July 2026, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that EFSA confirms current evidence remains insufficient to classify lithium as an essential nutrient for humans or animals.
❓ Recognition of obesity as a chronic disease
In a series of PQs (E-002516/2026 from Magdalena Adamowicz (PPE)), a coalition of Members asked whether the Commission intends to recognise obesity as a chronic disease under EU public health policy and how it will support Member States in research and treatment. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❗ Substance use prevention and treatment policies
In a series of PQs (E-001595/2026 from Nikos Pappas (The Left)), concerns were raised about the adequacy of substance use prevention policies following legislative changes in Greece. In a response published on 3 July 2026, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that healthcare organisation is a Member State competence, while highlighting that the EU Drugs Strategy promotes evidence-based prevention supported by the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA).
❗ Use of EU funds for abortion-related services
In a series of PQs (E-001971/2026, E-001327/2026), Members debated the use of European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) resources and other EU grants to support abortion-related services and advocacy. In responses published between 26 June and 29 June 2026, Commissioner Lahbib stated that ESF+ can support initiatives enhancing equal access to healthcare, including safe abortions, on a voluntary basis by Member States, and clarified that third-party financial support must align with call priorities and transparency rules.
❓ Definition of healthcare and ESF+ resources for abortion
In a series of PQs (E-002536/2026 from Paolo Inselvini (ECR)), Members raised concerns about the definition of healthcare in relation to the use of ESF+ funds for abortion services. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❗ Access to dialysis treatment
In a series of PQs (E-001215/2026 from Sakis Arnaoutoglou (S&D)), the issue of continuous and equitable access to dialysis treatment in northern Greece was raised. In a response published on 3 July 2026, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that while safe access to treatment is a priority, the organisation and delivery of health services, including patient transport, remain the responsibility of Member States.
❓ VAT on assistive technology
In a series of PQs (E-002407/2026 from Emmanouil Fragkos (ECR)), the Commission was asked whether it intends to encourage Member States to apply zero or super-reduced VAT rates to assistive technology products and accessibility aids for people with disabilities. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❗ Healthcare working time and on-call duty
In a series of PQs (E-001778/2026), questions were raised regarding the Working Time Directive and consecutive on-call duties for healthcare professionals in Greece. In a response published on 29 June 2026, Executive Vice-President Mînzatu stated that on-call time requiring physical presence must be counted as working time, and any derogations from the 11-hour daily rest must be compensated immediately, noting that enforcement lies with national authorities.
❓ Physical exposure to lethal chemicals in factory environments
In a series of PQs (P-002496/2026 from Hanna Gedin (The Left)), the Commission was asked about measures to address alleged breaches of occupational safety directives and exposure to hazardous chemicals at a Malmö plant. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❗ Asbestos fibre counting methods
In a series of PQs (E-002164/2026), an inquiry was made regarding asbestos exposure and analytical testing methods. In a response published on 2 July 2026, Executive Vice-President Mînzatu stated that Member States dictate specific analytical methods for asbestos within minimum EU requirements to ensure worker protection.
❗ Workplace accidents and subcontractor safety
In a series of PQs (E-001764/2026), concerns were raised about workplace safety and accidents involving subcontractors in Italy. In a response published on 26 June 2026, Executive Vice-President Mînzatu stated that employers sharing a workplace must coordinate health and safety provisions, adding that ESF+ can fund prevention programmes and the digitalisation of labour inspections.
❓ Tripartite governance of EU-OSHA
In a series of PQs (E-002450/2026 from Konstantinos Arvanitis (The Left)), Members sought clarity on the Commission’s stance regarding the hybrid meeting format of the EU-OSHA Management Board and its impact on tripartite governance. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❗ Pesticide controls on imported foods
In a series of PQs (E-001662/2026), Members raised concerns about the safety of imported processed fruit and vegetables. In a response published on 3 July 2026, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that the Commission is pursuing stronger alignment of production standards and measures to prevent the import of hazardous pesticides banned in the EU.
❓ Environmental and health risks of waste plant fires
In a series of PQs (P-002597/2026 from Susanna Ceccardi (PfE)), concerns were raised over repeated fires at waste recycling plants in Italy and the resulting toxic emissions. The Commission was asked about environmental monitoring activities and the potential for common guidelines on prevention. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❗ Consumer product safety and chemical regulation
In a series of PQs (E-001892/2026), an inquiry was made regarding the presence of lead in tampons. In a response published on 29 June 2026, Executive Vice-President Séjourné stated that consumer products must comply with the General Product Safety Regulation and that the Commission currently has no planned actions on lead in tampons under REACH, though it remains open to assessing new evidence.
All Parliamentary Questions and Commission Answers are accessible via Policy-Insider.AI.
