Overview
This report summarises Parliamentary Questions submitted by Members of the European Parliament and published in the week of 22 September 2025. Key themes include the resilience and staffing of healthcare systems, challenges in public health such as food safety and mental well-being, the regulation of digital health and AI, and the EU’s role in crisis preparedness and international health policy. Of the 22 questions covered in this report, 14 have received a response from the European Commission, while 8 remain pending.
Workforce & Conditions
❓ Protecting Doctors’ Health and Enforcing Working Time Directive
In PQ E-003712/2025, a cross-party group of MEPs including Raffaele Topo (S&D) and Elena Kountoura (The Left) submitted a question on 24 September 2025 regarding the frequent derogation of the Working Time Directive (2003/88/EC) for doctors in several Member States. Citing a report from the European Federation of Salaried Doctors, they highlight issues of excessive shifts, insufficient rest, and the misuse of on-call periods due to staff shortages. The MEPs ask how the Commission intends to strengthen enforcement of the directive, whether it will propose measures to harmonise the management of stand-by duty, and how it will address the shortage of medical staff. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Ensuring Availability of Qualified Nurses in Emergencies
In PQ E-002745/2025, MEPs Maria Guzenina (S&D) and Maria Ohisalo (Verts/ALE) on 4 July 2025 raised concerns about the EU’s chronic shortage of qualified nurses and its implications for a large-scale emergency. They asked what action the Commission has taken to ensure the rapid deployment and cross-border mobility of nurses in a crisis and whether it is possible to mobilise specialised nurses from national registers. In a response on 22 September 2025, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) can coordinate the deployment of medical teams, which may include qualified nurses. He noted that the Commission launched an action to address nurse shortages under the EU4Health Programme and that national nursing registers fall under national competence.
❗ Working Conditions of Firefighters and EU Civil Protection
In PQ E-003075/2025, MEP Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos (NI) on 24 July 2025 questioned the working conditions of firefighters in Greece and other EU Member States, attributing overwork to chronic understaffing, flexible employment, and underfunding. He asked if the EU’s rescEU mechanism exacerbates these issues by recycling scant resources. In her response on 22 September 2025, Commissioner Lahbib clarified that the organisation of firefighting services is a Member State responsibility and that rescEU supplements, not replaces, national capacities. She affirmed that operations must respect the Working Time Directive, which sets minimum requirements for rest and working hours, though derogations are possible for civil protection services provided equivalent compensatory rest is given.
Medicines & Treatments
❓ EU Strategy on Medicine Shortages and Waste
In PQ E-003699/2025, MEPs Jean-Paul Garraud and Marie-Luce Brasier-Clain (PfE) on 24 September 2025 highlighted significant medicine waste in French hospitals alongside persistent shortages, questioning the effectiveness of the EU’s strategy. Citing a European Court of Auditors report, they asked the Commission to account for the strategy’s perceived failure, consider if centralising health policies has harmed efficiency, and whether Member States should regain full control of their pharmaceutical policies. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Development of Medicines for Rare Diseases
In PQ E-002031/2025, a group of MEPs from the PfE group, including Aldo Patriciello and Isabella Tovaglieri, asked on 21 May 2025 about the difficulties in researching and developing life-saving medicines for rare diseases. They highlighted the financial barriers that prevent many promising drugs from reaching the market. In a response on 24 September 2025, Commissioner Zaharieva acknowledged the challenges and detailed the Commission’s support for research and innovation in this area. She noted that over €5 billion has been allocated through EU framework programmes over the past 25 years and pointed to ongoing support under Horizon Europe and the European Partnership on Rare Diseases (ERDERA) to fund pre-clinical studies and boost clinical trials.
❗ Pharmacovigilance and Monitoring of Vaccine Side Effects
In PQ E-003127/2025, MEP Gerald Hauser (PfE) on 29 July 2025 raised criticisms of the EU’s EudraVigilance system for monitoring adverse drug reactions, particularly in relation to the COVID-19 vaccination campaign. He questioned how the system would be improved and why different regulatory actions were taken for the IXCHIQ vaccine compared to the BioNTech/Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine despite vast differences in reported adverse events. In a response on 23 September 2025, Commissioner Várhelyi defended the EU’s “robust system” for monitoring medicines and stated that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) continuously explores improvements. He cautioned that direct comparisons of reported adverse reactions between vaccines lack scientific robustness due to multiple varying factors and that regulatory decisions are based on a careful scrutiny of all available evidence.
Patient Rights & Access
❓ Disparities in Newborn Screening Programmes Across the EU
In PQ E-003675/2025, MEPs Billy Kelleher (Renew), Sirpa Pietikäinen (PPE), and others on 23 September 2025 highlighted significant disparities in national newborn screening programmes across the EU, noting that some countries test for as few as nine diseases while others test for 49. Given the importance of early diagnosis for accessing life-saving therapies, they asked if the Commission will commit to exploring an action plan to develop EU guidelines on a minimum set of newborn screening tests to be applied across all Member States. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Non-discrimination in Care for Persons with Disabilities
In PQ E-003653/2025, a group of PPE MEPs including Loucas Fourlas and Sirpa Pietikäinen on 22 September 2025 questioned the Commission on ensuring non-discrimination between home-based and institutional care for persons with disabilities. Citing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, they asked what measures the Commission will take to prevent its policies from creating disincentives for home-based care and whether disparities exist within the EU’s Joint Sickness Insurance Scheme. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Cross-Border Healthcare Access for Transgender Patients in Ireland
In PQ E-002089/25, MEP Lynn Boylan (The Left) on 23 May 2025 raised issues regarding access to transgender healthcare in Ireland, citing a 13-year waiting list for public services and the community’s reliance on the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive. She asked if a 13-year wait is medically justifiable and if patients diagnosed in other Member States should be able to continue care in Ireland without interruption. In a response on 25 September 2025, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that while healthcare delivery is a Member State responsibility, the Directive requires the country of affiliation to ensure continuity of treatment. He confirmed that prior authorisation for cross-border care cannot be refused if treatment cannot be provided domestically within a medically justifiable time limit, but noted the Directive does not lay down rules for the recognition of referrals and diagnoses from other Member States.
Food & Environmental Safety
❗ French Agency’s Recommendation on Isoflavones in Soy Products
In PQ E-003183/25, MEP Günther Sidl (S&D) on 6 August 2025 asked about a recommendation from the French food agency ANSES that catering kitchens should not serve soy-based foods due to high isoflavone content. He questioned what conclusions the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) had drawn from this. In a response on 23 September 2025, Commissioner Várhelyi confirmed that EFSA is aware of the ANSES opinion but has not issued new conclusions. He explained that the scope of the ANSES assessment (general population) differs significantly from EFSA’s 2015 assessment, which was limited to the use of isoflavones in food supplements for peri- and post-menopausal women.
❗ Monitoring of PFAS Contamination in Food
In PQ E-003153/25, MEP Günther Sidl (S&D) on 30 July 2025 followed up on a previous question regarding the threat to health from PFAS in food. He asked for which years data sets on PFAS monitoring have been compiled and what conclusions can be drawn for consumer protection. In a response on 23 September 2025, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that data for samples collected in 2022, 2023, and 2024 have been submitted to EFSA. However, he clarified that an updated exposure assessment has not yet been conducted, so no new conclusions regarding consumer protection can be drawn. The complete dataset, including 2025 samples, is expected by October 2026.
❗ Health and Environmental Emergency in Acerra, Italy
In PQ E-003134/25, MEPs Valentina Palmisano and Danilo Della Valle (The Left) on 30 July 2025 raised the alarm over the ongoing environmental and health crisis in the Municipality of Acerra, part of Italy’s “land of fires.” They asked what the Commission would do to bolster monitoring, verify the use of EU funds for decontamination, and ensure free cancer screening in the area. In a response on 24 September 2025, Commissioner Várhelyi reiterated that the organisation of health services is a national competence. He confirmed that EU-funded projects are subject to checks and audits and that the EU4Health Programme supports Member States, including Italy, in improving cancer screening programmes through the Joint Action EUCanScreen.
❗ Cost and Impact of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive
In PQ E-002988/25, a large cross-party group of MEPs led by Elżbieta Katarzyna Łukacijewska (PPE) on 17 July 2025 raised concerns about the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme, which assigns 80% of certain treatment costs to the pharmaceutical and cosmetic sectors. They argued this is scientifically unfounded and disproportionate. In a response on 26 September 2025, Commissioner Roswall confirmed that the Commission will conduct an updated study on the costs and impacts of the EPR, which will be made available as soon as possible. She noted that preparations for the Directive’s implementation are ongoing and that each producer’s contribution will be based on the quantity and hazardousness of substances they place on the market, not on figures from the initial impact assessment.
Lifestyle & Prevention
❗ Public Access Defibrillators and EU Support
In PQ E-003213/25, MEP Günther Sidl (S&D) on 8 August 2025 asked if the Commission plans to support the acquisition of public access defibrillators (PADs), launch information campaigns, or create an EU-wide register of PAD locations, citing a study showing their effectiveness in increasing survival rates after cardiac arrest. In a response on 24 September 2025, Commissioner Várhelyi clarified that the acquisition, mapping, and related training for defibrillators fall within the remit of the Member States. He noted that the Commission supports Member States’ efforts to reduce cardiovascular diseases through the ‘Healthier together’ initiative and provides financial support for relevant projects under the EU4Health programme.
❗ EU Promotion of Veganism and Potential Health Problems
In PQ E-003113/25, MEP Emmanouil Fragkos (ECR) on 28 July 2025 questioned whether the Commission’s promotion of plant proteins constitutes an indirect promotion of veganism and asked if the Commission recognises that veganism can pose health problems due to the difficulty in sourcing certain nutrients. In a response on 24 September 2025, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that the Commission’s objective is to promote healthy and balanced nutrition and that it “neither advocates for veganism nor promotes a shift towards more strictly plant-based eating habits.” He affirmed that the Commission recognises the nutritional value of animal products and is actively fostering policies to support a future-proof livestock production system.
❗ Tackling Underage Alcohol Consumption in Tourist Destinations
In PQ E-002841/25, MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen (ECR) on 11 July 2025 raised concerns about holiday destinations in southern Europe known for a drinking culture that encourages underage alcohol consumption. He asked if the Commission would engage with governments and the travel industry to tackle this issue. In a response on 24 September 2025, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that while alcohol policies are a Member State responsibility, the Commission supports them in addressing alcohol-related harm through the ‘Healthier Together’ initiative and Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. He added that the Commission is preparing an EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy for 2026 and supports a shift towards higher quality tourism.
❗ EU Action on Men’s Mental Health
In PQ E-003105/25, MEP Emmanouil Fragkos (ECR) on 25 July 2025 asked the Commission about the implementation of its mental health framework, particularly concerning men’s mental health, noting that 80% of suicides are committed by men. In a response on 24 September 2025, Commissioner Várhelyi outlined the progress of the Commission’s comprehensive approach to mental health, which includes 20 flagship initiatives. He noted that the focus of the communication is on vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly, but highlighted that Member States can choose to implement best practices from the EU Best Practice Portal, and that the 2025 EU4Health Work Programme will address mental health in the context of cardiovascular diseases.
❗ Protecting Youth Mental Health in the Digital Era
In PQ E-002673/25, MEP Dan-Ştefan Motreanu (PPE) on 1 July 2025 asked what policy measures the Commission plans to introduce to curb harmful digital practices and protect the mental well-being of young users, citing calls from the EU Health Council for stronger action. In a response on 25 September 2025, Commissioner Várhelyi detailed actions under the Digital Services Act (DSA), which requires very large online platforms to assess and mitigate systemic risks to minors’ mental well-being. He mentioned recent guidelines on age assurance measures, ongoing formal investigations against platforms like TikTok and Meta, and a planned EU-wide inquiry into the broader impacts of social media on mental health.
❓ Tackling School Violence and Cyberbullying
In PQ E-003682/2025, MEP Nikos Pappas (The Left) on 23 September 2025 highlighted recent incidents of school violence and cyberbullying across Europe, describing the phenomenon as an existential threat to minors. He asked how the Commission intends to support Member States with binding guidelines and training, and how it will ensure schools in rural or less developed areas have equal access to prevention tools and resources. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Emotional Dependence on Artificial Intelligence Systems
In PQ E-003674/2025, a large group of Renew MEPs led by Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová on 23 September 2025 raised concerns about the risk of emotional and psychological dependence on AI platforms that foster deep, personal exchanges. They asked what concrete measures the Commission plans to implement to prevent these risks, particularly for vulnerable users, and whether any initiatives exist to establish an alert system for AI use leading to psychological distress. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Protection of Genetic Data from Recreational Testing
In PQ E-003662/2025, MEP Piotr Müller (ECR) on 23 September 2025 questioned the Commission about the growing popularity of direct-to-consumer recreational genetic tests. He raised concerns that consumers may not be fully aware of how their unique genetic data are collected, stored, and shared, and that claims of “anonymity” are misleading as data can only be pseudonymised. He asked what steps the Commission is taking to ensure effective data protection and counter misleading commercial practices. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Bioethics of Neonatal Genetic Screening in Greece
In PQ E-002290/25, MEP Nikolaos Anadiotis (NI) on 6 June 2025 raised serious ethical concerns about a Greek government project to hand over blood samples from 100,000 newborns to US biotechnology companies for DNA analysis. He asked if it is lawful and ethical to conduct such screening without informed parental consent. In a response on 22 September 2025, Commissioner McGrath stated that under the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the GDPR, free and informed consent is required for such procedures. However, he clarified that monitoring and enforcement of the GDPR falls to national authorities, in this case the Greek Data Protection Authority, and the Commission does not assess individual cases of compliance.
❗ Details of the ‘Blue Orchid’ Crisis Management Exercise
In PQ E-003130/25, MEP Gerald Hauser (PfE) on 29 July 2025 requested details about the ‘Blue Orchid’ crisis management exercise, which he noted was not publicly documented. He asked about the scenarios, lessons learned, and where details could be accessed. In a response on 23 September 2025, Commissioner Várhelyi explained the exercise tested internal procedures between the Commission and the ECDC using a scenario of an imported case of pneumonic plague. Key lessons included the need to improve IT back-up services and communication protocols, which assisted in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He confirmed that the Commission and ECDC have not published information on this internal exercise.
❓ ECDC’s Regional Pandemic Preparedness Workshops in 2019
In PQ E-003677/2025, MEP Gerald Hauser (PfE) on 23 September 2025 followed up on a previous answer by asking for specific details about regional expert workshops on pandemic preparedness planning that were held in March 2019. He requested information on the locations, participants, costs, and subjects of the workshops, and where this information can be accessed publicly. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Financial Flows Between the EU and the WHO
In PQ E-001476/25, MEP Gerald Hauser (PfE) on 9 April 2025 questioned the independence of the World Health Organisation (WHO) due to its reliance on private funding and asked about financial flows between the EU and the WHO since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a response on 22 September 2025, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that the Commission and EU bodies have not received any funding from the WHO or its partners since 2020. He affirmed that the WHO is a key partner, the EU is a major donor, and directed the MEP to the public Financial Transparency System for information on EU funding provided to partners like the WHO.
❓ Uzbekistan’s Mandatory HIV Testing Law and GSP+ Commitments
In PQ E-003678/2025, a group of MEPs led by Krzysztof Śmiszek (S&D) on 23 September 2025 raised serious human rights concerns about a new law in Uzbekistan introducing compulsory HIV testing for citizens returning from abroad and for foreign nationals seeking employment. As a beneficiary of the EU’s GSP+ trade preference scheme, Uzbekistan has committed to implementing core international human rights conventions. The MEPs asked how the EEAS assesses the law’s compatibility with these GSP+ obligations and whether the issue will be raised with Uzbek authorities. A response from the Vice-President / High Representative is pending.
