Food Safety, Pandemic Preparedness & Abortion Funding

❗ EMA’s evaluation of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) therapy

In a PQ (P-000982/2026 from Bogdan Rzońca, (ECR)), concerns were raised regarding the EU authorisation procedure for treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and the possibility of fast-track or experimental use of therapies prior to European Medicines Agency (EMA) certification. In a response published on 19.05.2026, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that while one product is authorised and 34 are under development with active orphan designations, none have yet reached the EMA assessment stage. He clarified that Member States can exceptionally allow non-authorised medicines under ‘named-patient basis’ or ‘compassionate use’ programmes.

❓ Safety and prescription of SSRIs and SNRIs

In a PQ (E-001944/2026 from Barbara Bonte, (PfE)), the lawmaker highlighted the increased use of antidepressants among young people and gaps in understanding prenatal exposure to SSRIs and SNRIs. The question calls for an updated EU-wide safety reassessment by the EMA, focusing on long-term use and post-acute withdrawal syndrome. Responses from the Commission are pending.

❓ Shortage of hormone medication in Sweden

In a PQ (E-001952/2026 from Jessica Polfjärd, (PPE)), the shortage of oestrogen medication in Sweden was addressed, warning of serious health problems for hundreds of thousands of women. The question asks how the Commission is monitoring the situation and what EU mechanisms could provide support. Responses from the Commission are pending.

❓ Ivermectin for COVID-19 treatment

In a PQ (E-001906/2026 from Gerald Hauser, (PfE)), the Commission was asked to explain why ivermectin was not recommended for COVID-19 treatment, citing an Austrian Supreme Administrative Court ruling and claiming that its use could have prevented deaths. Responses from the Commission are pending.

❓ PFAS restriction impact on medical technologies

In a PQ (E-001949/2026 from Aurelijus Veryga, (ECR)), concerns were raised over the potential impact of proposed per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) restrictions on the availability and safety of critical medical devices. The question seeks clarity on the Commission’s assessment methodology, the risks of narrow derogation periods, and measures to ensure long-term regulatory certainty for fluoropolymers. Responses from the Commission are pending.

❓ Hantavirus outbreak and zoonotic disease preparedness

In a series of PQs (E-001875/2026 from Leire Pajín, (S&D), E-001899/2026 from Juan Fernando López Aguilar, (S&D), E-002007/2026 from Susanna Ceccardi, (PfE)), lawmakers addressed a recent suspected hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship bound for the Canary Islands. The questions focus on the activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, the stockpiling of antivirals via rescEU, and the broader strengthening of epidemiological surveillance and preparedness for rare zoonotic diseases. Responses from the Commission are pending.

❓ Pandemic preparedness and COVID-19 lessons

In a PQ (E-001983/2026 from Claudiu-Richard Târziu, (ECR)), the Commission was asked to outline concrete measures taken to assess Member States’ real response capacity for a new pandemic, including strategic stockpiles and medical infrastructure, while ensuring respect for fundamental rights. Responses from the Commission are pending.

❓ Increase in cancer cases among young people

In a PQ (E-001749/2026 from Gerald Hauser, (PfE)), the lawmaker inquired about the reported increase in cancer deaths among young people since 2021, asking the Commission to assess suspicions linking this trend to COVID-19 mRNA vaccinations. Responses from the Commission are pending.

❗ Men’s health and gender equality

In a PQ (E-001117/2026), the integration of men’s health into EU strategies was addressed. In a response published on 18.05.2026, Commissioner Lahbib stated that the Gender Equality Strategy 2026-2030 recognises the impact of gender norms on men and boys’ health. She highlighted that health research and EU4Health actions incorporate gender mainstreaming, and referenced the upcoming 2026 Healthy Workplace Campaign on mental health and psychosocial risks at work.

❓ Food safety and Mercosur imports

In a series of PQs (E-001824/2026 from Piotr Müller, (ECR), E-001904/2026 from Jadwiga Wiśniewska, (ECR), E-001939/2026 from Jessika van Leeuwen, (ECR)), concerns were raised over the provisional application of the trade part of the EU-Mercosur agreement following the detection of salmonella in 80% of a frozen poultry shipment from Brazil to Greece. Lawmakers questioned the adequacy of import controls, the protection of EU consumers, and the economic impact on the European agricultural sector. Responses from the Commission are pending.

❓ Dangerous Turkish pepper imports

In a PQ (E-001918/2026 from Emmanouil Fragkos, (ECR)), the lawmaker highlighted multiple RASFF alerts regarding Turkish peppers containing excessive or banned pesticides, such as formetanate and cadmium. The question challenges the adequacy of consumer protection frameworks and border checks conducted by Greek authorities. Responses from the Commission are pending.

❓ Food and Feed Safety Omnibus

In a PQ (E-001845/2026 from Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, (Renew)), clarification was sought on the scientific basis for the Commission’s claim that the proposed Food and Feed Safety Omnibus will increase protection levels. The lawmaker also asked how societal costs are factored into the proposal’s assessment. Responses from the Commission are pending.

❓ Mining activity and environmental health in Florina

In a PQ (E-001879/2026 from Maria Zacharia, (NI)), the continuation of lignite mining in a residential area in Achlada, Florina, was raised as a severe health risk to residents due to particulate matter and noise. The question asks if the Commission plans to check compliance with EU environmental impact and air quality directives. Responses from the Commission are pending.

❓ Occupational cancer in firefighters

In a PQ (E-001915/2026 from Emmanouil Fragkos, (ECR)), the classification of firefighting as a carcinogenic occupation by the IARC was highlighted. The lawmaker asked if current EU legislation adequately protects firefighters from cumulative exposure to carcinogens and PFAS in fire-fighting foams. Responses from the Commission are pending.

❓ Lead in tampons and consumer safety

In a PQ (E-001892/2026 from Christel Schaldemose, (S&D)), a recent study detecting lead in 11 tampon brands was cited to question the adequacy of EU regulations, including REACH, in protecting consumers from harmful substances in hygiene products. Responses from the Commission are pending.

❓ Protecting older persons from abuse and neglect

In a PQ (E-001913/2026 from Eleonora Meleti, (PPE)), the increase in cases of abuse against dependent older persons was addressed. The question asks how the Commission intends to support Member States in preventing mistreatment and whether common European standards for the training and certification of carers will be established. Responses from the Commission are pending.

❓ Model communities for children with disabilities

In a PQ (E-001829/2026 from Georgios Aftias, (PPE)), a request was made for EU financial support to create model community centres and European villages for children with disabilities and their parents, ensuring continuity of care. Responses from the Commission are pending.

❗ Hospital deficits and late payments

In a PQ (E-000927/2026), the issue of hospital deficits and the Late Payment Directive was raised. In a response published on 19.05.2026, Executive Vice-President Séjourné stated that the EU is not competent for legislative action to directly reduce hospital deficits, as health services organisation remains a Member State responsibility. He noted that Directive 2011/7/EU already allows extending the 30-day payment period to 60 days for public healthcare entities, and the Commission does not envisage exempting them entirely due to the adverse effects on SME suppliers.

❗ Abortion funding via ESF+

In a series of PQs (E-001971/2026 from Bert-Jan Ruissen, (ECR), E-000928/2026), lawmakers questioned the Commission’s stance on the ‘My Voice, My Choice’ initiative and the use of the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) to finance abortion care. In a response published on 21.05.2026, Commissioner Lahbib stated that the Commission does not introduce a new funding area under ESF+, but that the fund can support national initiatives aiming to enhance equal access to healthcare. She emphasized that organising health services and deciding whether to allocate ESF+ resources to abortion care remains firmly within the competence of Member States.

❓ Legal costs in Stevi and NYT v Commission

In a PQ (E-001923/2026 from Friedrich Pürner, (NI)), the lawmaker requested an update on the legal costs incurred by the Commission in Case T-36/23, concerning transparency around health negotiations. Responses from the Commission are pending.

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