Overview
This report covers Parliamentary Questions (PQs) and Commission Answers published between Monday, 8 December 2025 and Sunday, 14 December 2025. During this period, 12 new health-related PQs were published and 12 Commission Answers became available. Key themes this week included medicines regulation, public health risks from substances and social phenomena, the resilience of health systems and the workforce, and the impact of environmental factors on health.
❗ Reuse of medicinal products and pharmaceutical waste
In a response to E-003538/2025, published on 8 December 2025, Commissioner Várhelyi addressed the reuse of medicines. He stated that while Member States must have collection systems for unused medicines, reusing products already dispensed to patients poses serious safety risks as the secure supply chain rules no longer apply. The Commission’s legislative proposals aim to reduce pharmaceutical waste through improved prescription practices and packaging requirements, without compromising patient safety.
❗ Qualification of medical devices under the Helsinki procedure
In a response to P-004303/2025, published on 12 December 2025, Commissioner Várhelyi clarified the process for qualifying medical devices. He explained that Member States have the competence to decide on the qualification of medical devices, and the Helsinki procedure is a voluntary, non-binding cooperation system among competent authorities to discuss borderline cases. The recommendations in the resulting Manual on Borderline and Classification are not legally binding, and the qualification of any technology requires a case-by-case assessment.
❗ Risk management for gain-of-function research on influenza
In a response to E-004131/2025, published on 10 December 2025, Commissioner Zaharieva referred to a previous answer (E-002369/2025) that details the Commission’s risk management measures, eligibility criteria, and security checks for supporting gain-of-function research on influenza.
❓ Ozempic use in the EU for weight loss
In E-004816/2025, published on 12 December 2025, MEP Friedrich Pürner (NI) asks about the use of Ozempic and similar medicines in the EU. Following a WHO recommendation to extend the use of GLP-1 therapies for obesity treatment, the MEP questions whether these drugs will be approved as weight loss treatments in the EU, if a prescription for diabetes will still be required, and if they will become more affordable. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Regulation of emerging healthcare professions like genetic counselling
In a response to E-004138/2025, published on 8 December 2025, Executive Vice-President Séjourné confirmed that EU legislation, including the Proportionality Test Directive, does not prevent Member States from regulating new healthcare professions such as genetic counselling. The Directive ensures that any new national rules are non-discriminatory and justified by public health objectives. The Commission does not intend to propose EU-wide standards of care for genetic counselling, as the organisation of health services remains a Member State competence.
❓ Deficiencies in specialised healthcare access in El Bierzo, Spain
In E-004379/2025, published on 12 December 2025, a group of MEPs led by Estrella Galán (The Left) highlights the deteriorating public hospital services, particularly in oncology, in the Spanish region of El Bierzo. They ask how the Commission will ensure the implementation of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan in rural regions, what actions it will take to prevent territorial discrimination in access to health services, and if it plans specific funding to strengthen public health services. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Understaffing of addiction services in Greece
In E-004831/2025, published on 12 December 2025, MEP Kostas Papadakis (NI) raises concerns about the expiring contracts of 350 employees at the Greek National Organisation for Preventing and Combating Addiction (EOPAE). He asks for the Commission’s position on converting these contracts to permanent ones, the risk of service users being left without treatment, and the impact of EU policies that prioritise ‘cost-benefit’ approaches in the addiction treatment sector. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Patients’ rights and whistleblower protection at Torrejón University Hospital
In P-004830/2025, published on 10 December 2025, MEPs from the S&D group, led by José Cepeda, question the Commission about alleged practices at Torrejón University Hospital in Spain. They cite reports that the hospital’s management issued instructions to reject ‘unprofitable’ patients and that managers who reported this were dismissed. The MEPs ask if these practices are compatible with EU health protection obligations and if the dismissals could constitute retaliation under the EU Whistleblower Directive. A response from the Commission is pending.
Substance Use & Mental Health
❓ Ban on the sale of nitrous oxide to the general public
In O-000046/2025, published on 11 December 2025, a large cross-party group of MEPs led by Laurent Castillo (PPE) calls for a ban on the sale of nitrous oxide to the general public. Citing rising recreational use, severe health effects, and fatal accidents, the MEPs ask if the Commission will commit to proposing the addition of nitrous oxide to Annex XVII of the REACH Regulation to prohibit its placing on the market for public consumption. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Addressing the hikikomori phenomenon in the EU
In E-004803/2025, published on 11 December 2025, a group of MEPs from the ECR group, led by Mariateresa Vivaldini, asks the Commission about measures to combat the ‘hikikomori’ phenomenon of social isolation among young people. They ask if the Commission intends to establish a European monitoring system, provide targeted funding for prevention, promote best practices, and support initiatives using sports and culture for social reintegration. A response from the Commission is pending.
Vaccination & Disease Prevention
❓ Childhood vaccines and possible link to autism
In E-004827/2025, published on 10 December 2025, MEP Gerald Hauser (PfE) questions the Commission about a potential link between childhood vaccines and autism, citing a recent US CDC statement. He asks if the ECDC and Commission will collaborate with US authorities on investigations, why studies suggesting a link were previously disregarded, and whether doctors will have a legal duty to disclose a possible risk of autism to parents. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ EU measures to reduce carcinogenic nitrites in processed meats
In E-004753/2025, published on 12 December 2025, MEPs from the Verts/ALE group, led by Tilly Metz, call for stronger EU action against nitrites in processed meats, citing their classification as carcinogenic. They ask if the Commission will propose a phase-out, consider mandatory front-of-pack health warnings, and fund research into nitrite-free alternatives to uphold the EU’s health protection obligations. A response from the Commission is pending.
Social & Rights-Based Health Policy
❗ 2026-2030 LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy and rights of the child
In a response to P-004175/2025, published on 11 December 2025, Commissioner Lahbib addressed the new LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy 2026-2030. She stated that the protection of children and the fundamental rights of the LGBTIQ+ community are not mutually exclusive and that the Commission is committed to both. The strategy aims to ensure equal treatment and non-discrimination, building on the previous plan. Commissioner Lahbib reiterated that the Commission respects Member State competences on legal gender recognition and that the child’s best interests, in line with the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child, must be a primary consideration.
❗ Funding for academic research on abortion law debates
In a response to E-004308/2025, published on 10 December 2025, Commissioner Zaharieva confirmed that a project exploring human rights aspects in abortion law debates is funded by a European Research Council (ERC) grant under Horizon Europe. She explained that the project was selected based on scientific excellence and contributes to academic debate on human rights interpretation. The Commissioner affirmed that the principle of subsidiarity is respected as the funding of academic research differs from adopting legislation, and all ERC-funded projects are monitored for compliance with EU law and ethical principles.
❓ 2026-2030 LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy and Member State competence
In E-004821/2025, published on 12 December 2025, a group of MEPs led by Stephen Nikola Bartulica (ECR) raises concerns about the new LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy 2026-2030. They argue it extends the EU’s involvement into areas of Member State competence like education, health policy, and family law. The MEPs ask the Commission to justify this policy reach, detail the impact assessment of the previous strategy, and explain why it is prioritising identity-based frameworks over a unified anti-discrimination approach. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Cost of negotiations on rare diseases
In E-004819/2025, published on 12 December 2025, MEP Gerald Hauser (PfE) questions the costs and lack of results from years of discussions on an EU action plan for rare diseases. He asks the Commission to justify the organisational costs and time spent, provide a breakdown of costs incurred from meetings and events, and explain how it will ensure more efficient use of resources in the future. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Funding for Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan in the next MFF
In E-004760/2025, published on 12 December 2025, MEPs from The Left group, led by Arash Saeidi, express concern about the future funding of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. They ask if the Commission will propose a ring-fenced budget of at least EUR 2 billion in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034, how it will ensure key public health objectives are not diluted, and what monitoring mechanism will be in place to track expenditures and results. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ GDPR and data transfers to third countries
In a response to E-003208/2025, published on 11 December 2025, Commissioner McGrath outlined the rules governing the protection of personal data held by EU companies. He stated that under the GDPR, data can only be shared with third-country public authorities if there is a legal basis and compliance with transfer requirements (e.g., an adequacy decision). National data protection authorities are responsible for enforcement, with the Irish authority being responsible for Microsoft. He also noted that the Data Act requires cloud providers to implement safeguards against unlawful access to non-personal data by non-EU governments.
❗ Worker protection from respirable crystalline silica (silicosis)
In a response to E-004016/2025, published on 11 December 2025, Executive Vice-President Mînzatu detailed EU measures to protect workers from respirable crystalline silica (RCS), which can cause silicosis. He highlighted the binding occupational exposure limit under the Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances Directive (CMRD) and noted the Commission is studying a possible revision of this limit. The Commission also supports data collection on occupational diseases, awareness-raising, and prevention through the EU non-communicable diseases initiative, with over EUR 280 million available from the EU4Health programme.
❗ Regulation of hexavalent chromium substances
In a response to E-003976/2025, published on 9 December 2025, Mr Šefčovič explained that the use of hexavalent chromium is regulated under REACH and the Carcinogens, Mutagens or Reprotoxic substances at work Directive (CMRD). The Commission has no concrete plans for import restrictions on treated steel products but is preparing to shift these substances from authorisation to restriction under REACH. Additionally, the Commission is studying a possible revision of the occupational exposure limit for chromium VI compounds under the CMRD to enhance worker protection.
❗ Potential classification of talc as a carcinogen
In a response to E-004190/2025, published on 10 December 2025, Executive Vice-President Séjourné addressed the status of talc. He noted that the European Chemicals Agency’s Risk Assessment Committee has recommended classifying talc as a presumed carcinogen (category 1B). The Commission will now analyse this opinion and consult with Member State experts to decide if a harmonised classification is appropriate. If talc were to be classified, direct consequences would be limited to relabelling, and any further regulatory actions would consider socio-economic factors.
❗ Air quality in Ioannina, Greece
In a response to E-003999/2025, published on 9 December 2025, Ms Roswall stated that while annual PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations in Ioannina did not exceed EU limits in 2024, daily PM10 limits were exceeded in 2020, 2023, and 2024. The Commission will continue to monitor the situation. Regarding urban development projects, she clarified that it is primarily the responsibility of Greek authorities to ensure compliance with EU environmental law, including conducting Environmental Impact Assessments where necessary, and that such decisions are subject to review by national courts.
❓ Industrial pollution and rights violations by Veolia in Colombia
In E-004768/2025, published on 13 December 2025, MEPs Anthony Smith and Emma Fourreau (The Left) raise allegations of serious human and environmental rights violations by the company Veolia at a landfill site in Colombia. They cite reports of untreated pollutants being discharged into a protected wetland, causing heavy metal contamination and severe health issues for the local population. The MEPs ask the Commission to monitor and sanction such violations and ensure protection for whistleblowers. A response from the Commission is pending.
All Parliamentary Questions and Commission Answers are accessible via Policy-Insider.AI.
