Overview
This report covers Parliamentary Questions (PQs) and Commission Answers published between 30.08.2026 and 06.09.2026. During this period, 10 new PQs were published and 15 Commission Answers became available. Key themes this week included PFAS contamination, the health impacts of extreme temperatures, the revision of tobacco and pharmaceutical legislation, and support for the healthcare workforce.
❗ Pharmaceutical legislation and supply chain security
In a series of PQs (E-002527/26, E-002706/26, P-003364/2026 from Bernd Lange (S&D), and E-003278/2026 from Gerald Hauser (PfE)), MEPs raised concerns regarding the timelines of the new EU Pharmaceutical Directive, measures to address critical medicine shortages, oversight of cross-border mail-order pharmacies, and the data justifying the administration of COVID-19 vaccines to pregnant women. In responses published on 03.09.2026, Commissioners Šefčovič and Várhelyi stated that the new pharmaceutical legislation is expected to be adopted in the fourth quarter of 2026 and highlighted that the Critical Medicines Act will further address upstream supply chain vulnerabilities. Responses from the Commission regarding pharmacy oversight and vaccine data are pending.
❗ Tobacco control and youth health risks
In a series of PQs (E-002473/26, E-002219/26, and E-002547/26), inquiries focused on the evaluation of the Tobacco Products Directive, the rising prevalence of electronic cigarettes among youth, and the environmental impact of plastic tobacco filters. In responses published on 03.09.2026, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that the Commission intends to propose a revision of the legislative framework on tobacco control by the end of 2026, noting that novel nicotine products pose new public health challenges and act as a gateway to traditional smoking.
❗ Youth mental health and obesity prevention
In a series of PQs (E-001999/26 from Eleonora Meleti (PPE), and E-002811/26), MEPs addressed the increasing psychosocial distress and digital exposure among young people, alongside the need for robust obesity prevention strategies. In responses published on 02.09.2026 and 03.09.2026, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that the Commission is launching an EU-wide inquiry into the impacts of excessive screen time, supporting suicide prevention best practices through EU4Health, and addressing obesity via the ‘Healthier Together’ initiative and the European Child Guarantee.
❓ Alzheimer’s research and novel food procedures
In a series of PQs (E-003334/2026 from Gerald Hauser (PfE), and P-003203/2026 from Nina Carberry (PPE)), MEPs requested clarification on the termination of the novel food procedure for lithium orotate dihydrate in the context of Alzheimer’s treatment, and asked for a detailed breakdown of Horizon Europe funding committed to Alzheimer’s and dementia research since 2021. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❗ Support for the healthcare workforce and long-term care
In a series of PQs (E-002545/26 from Ciaran Mullooly (Renew), and E-002905/26), concerns were raised regarding social protection for healthcare workers suffering from Long Covid and the broader challenges of workforce shortages and care system resilience. In responses published on 26.08.2026 and 03.09.2026, Executive Vice-President Mînzatu stated that the forthcoming European Care Deal in 2027 will address working conditions and care affordability, and highlighted that the Commission supports Member States through the Network of Expertise on Long COVID, though the design of social protection systems remains a national competence.
❗ PFAS contamination, regulatory scope, and data transparency
In a series of PQs (E-002786/26 from Dario Tamburrano (The Left), Cristina Guarda (Verts/ALE), Leoluca Orlando (Verts/ALE), Ignazio Roberto Marino (Verts/ALE), Gaetano Pedulla’ (The Left), Carolina Morace (The Left), and Danilo Della Valle (The Left), E-003354/2026 from Ufuk Kâhya (Verts/ALE), E-003101/2026 from Flavio Tosi (PPE), Massimiliano Salini (PPE), Letizia Moratti (PPE), Salvatore De Meo (PPE), Susana Solís Pérez (PPE), Stefan Köhler (PPE), Pietro Fiocchi (ECR), Céline Imart (PPE), Christophe Gomart (PPE), Nadine Morano (PPE), and François-Xavier Bellamy (PPE), and E-003160/2026 from Cristina Guarda (Verts/ALE)), MEPs raised urgent concerns regarding PFAS contamination in food and breast milk, the definition of ‘consumer products’ in upcoming restrictions, and the denial of access to environmental monitoring data in the Veneto region. In a response published on 06.09.2026, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that EFSA is currently compiling data to assess the need for revised maximum levels for PFAS in food. Responses from the Commission regarding the remaining PQs are pending.
❗ Extreme temperatures, air quality, and climate-related health risks
In a series of PQs (E-002843/26 from Giuseppe Antoci (The Left), E-003013/26 from Jonas Sjöstedt (The Left) and Hanna Gedin (The Left), E-002282/26 from César Luena (S&D), E-002853/26 from Dario Tamburrano (The Left) and Ignazio Roberto Marino (Verts/ALE), and E-003252/2026 from Gerald Hauser (PfE)), MEPs highlighted the severe health impacts of extreme temperatures—both heatwaves and cold weather—on vulnerable populations and workers, alongside concerns over poor air quality around schools and risks to drinking water from a Rome incinerator. In responses published between 27.08.2026 and 03.09.2026, Commissioners Hoekstra, Mînzatu, and Roswall stated that the Commission is developing a new European framework for climate resilience, updating guidance on summer energy poverty, and enforcing strict occupational safety rules. Responses from the Commission regarding specific emergency plans for cold-related mortality are pending.
❗ Global health resilience and international food safety standards
In a series of PQs (O-000033/2026 from Barry Andrews (Committee on Development), E-003342/2026 from Paolo Inselvini (ECR) and Carlo Fidanza (ECR), and E-002272/26), MEPs scrutinized the EU’s role in strengthening global health resilience in partner countries and enforcing safety standards on imported goods, specifically regarding antimicrobial use in Mercosur cattle and pesticide residues. In a response published on 03.09.2026, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that the EU maintains a 98.2% compliance rate for pesticide maximum residue levels and has launched a Task Force on Import Controls to harmonize enforcement. Responses from the Commission regarding the Global Health Resilience Initiative and antimicrobial regulations for meat imports are pending.
All Parliamentary Questions and Commission Answers are accessible via Policy-Insider.AI.
