Overview
This report covers Parliamentary Questions (PQs) and Commission Answers published between 06.09.2026 and 13.09.2026. During this period, 8 new PQs were published and 4 Commission Answers became available. Key themes this week included medicines regulation and transparency, public health and food safety, health systems and workforce mobility, digital health disinformation, and environmental health links.
❓ Labelling of animal-derived excipients in medicines
In a series of PQs (E-003374/2026 from Biljana Borzan, (S&D), E-003388/2026 from Seán Kelly, (PPE)), Members raised concerns about the lack of transparent labelling regarding the species of origin for animal-derived excipients in human medicines. Highlighting the importance of informed patient choice based on ethical, religious, and dietary restrictions, the Members asked whether the Commission intends to amend Directive 2001/83/EC to require mandatory disclosure, integrate this information into digital e-leaflets, or establish a centralised public database for authorised medicines. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❓ Withdrawal of cancer medicines and pricing systems
In a PQ (E-003468/2026 from Elena Kountoura, (The Left)), concerns were raised regarding the recent withdrawal of the cancer drug Trodelvy and other oncology medicines from the Greek market, reportedly linked to excessively high national clawbacks. The Member queried what funding or European tools the Commission intends to harness to prevent national pricing and reimbursement systems from leading to unequal access to approved cancer treatments across the EU. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❓ Administrative obstacles to the mobility of doctors
In a PQ (E-003412/2026 from Loucas Fourlas, (PPE)), the Member highlighted the lengthy and complex administrative barriers faced by a European doctor attempting to specialise in Belgium, questioning the effectiveness of national recognition procedures within the EU. The Commission was asked what measures it will take to ensure transparent and timely recognition of professional qualifications and how it protects citizens who obtained qualifications in the UK post-Brexit. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❗ PFAS contamination in food and monitoring obligations
In a PQ (E-002786/2026 from Dario Tamburrano, (The Left) and others), questions were raised regarding the lack of public availability of PFAS monitoring results for agri-food products in Italy’s Veneto Region and potential risks of further contamination. In a response published on 06.09.2026, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that while Member States are required to draw up risk-based national control plans for contaminants, neither the relevant regulation nor recommendation includes a legal obligation to publish monitoring results. The Commission noted it currently has no indication that Italy failed to comply with the requirements of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/931.
❗ Health and safety of lab-grown meat
In a PQ (E-002888/2026 from Gerald Hauser, (PfE)), the Member questioned the long-term health effects of lab-grown meat and asked why the Commission has not advocated an EU-wide ban, citing the precautionary principle. In a response published on 09.09.2026, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that lab-grown meat is regulated under the Novel Foods Regulation and requires prior authorisation following a stringent scientific risk assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The Commissioner confirmed that two applications for cell-based meat have been submitted and that public health protection remains the primary consideration in the decision-making process.
❓ Spread of new liquid drugs and the evolving narcotics market
In a PQ (E-003435/2026 from Paolo Inselvini, (ECR) and others), concerns were raised about the seizure of ‘Monkey Tail’, a home-made liquid psychoactive mixture, at Bologna airport. The Members asked how the Commission intends to adapt EU monitoring tools to the rapid evolution of new psychoactive substances and strengthen cooperation between the EUDA, Europol, and customs authorities to identify new trafficking methods. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❓ Health disinformation by AI-generated social media profiles
In a PQ (E-003401/2026 from Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, (Renew)), the Commission was asked to assess whether AI-generated YouTube and Instagram accounts spreading health disinformation and promoting supplements reveal shortcomings in the risk mitigation measures required by the Digital Services Act. The Member inquired whether the Commission plans to initiate investigations into platforms that verify fake profiles and if it will request information from Amazon regarding systemic risks linked to financing creators who spread such disinformation. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❓ Extreme heat mortality and the European climate resilience framework
In a PQ (E-003328/2026 from César Luena, (S&D)), the Member highlighted preliminary data indicating at least 35,000 excess deaths across Europe due to summer heatwaves in 2026. The Commission was asked how it will incorporate the rising mortality rate linked to extreme heat into the upcoming European climate resilience and risk management framework, and whether specific measures will be included to protect the most vulnerable groups. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❓ Mercosur agreement and Brazilian food safety standards
In a PQ (E-003371/2026 from Piotr Müller, (ECR)), the Member questioned the recent suspension of beef and poultry imports from Brazil due to antimicrobial monitoring shortcomings, occurring shortly after the EU-Mercosur agreement came into force. The Member asked why the agreement was allowed to proceed before ensuring compliance with EU standards and whether this demonstrates that European farmers face unfair competition. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❗ Urban wastewater treatment and EPR costs
In a PQ (E-002622/2026), the Commission was questioned regarding extended producer responsibility (EPR) costs and micropollutants in the context of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. In a response published on 11.09.2026, Commissioner Roswall stated that a 2025 Joint Research Centre update study confirmed the validity of earlier EPR cost estimates. The Commissioner added that the Commission will monitor the directive’s implementation and its potential impact on the accessibility, availability, and affordability of products at the national level, particularly medicines.
❗ Ambient air quality and enforcement action in Italy
In a PQ (E-003094/2026), inquiries were made concerning air quality compliance. In a response published on 11.09.2026, Commissioner Roswall stated that the Commission has taken enforcement action against Italy, including ongoing infringement procedures and referrals to the Court of Justice of the EU for exceeding particulate matter (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide limit values. The Commission continues to monitor the implementation of air quality plans and related judgments to protect human health and the environment.
All Parliamentary Questions and Commission Answers are accessible via Policy-Insider.AI.
