This report provides a summary of Parliamentary Questions (PQs) submitted to and answered by the European Commission during the week of 15 September 2025. The inquiries cover a wide range of pressing topics, including patient access to healthcare, public health preparedness, environmental safety, EU governance, and human rights. Key themes include disparities in healthcare access for vulnerable groups, the safety and regulation of vaccines and chemicals like glyphosate, and questions of transparency regarding the Commission’s operations. In total, this report covers 23 PQs, of which 9 have been answered and 14 are awaiting a response from the Commission.
Disability & Special Needs
❓ Call for action on tailored educational support for children with autism and ADHD
In PQ E-003625/2025, MEP Peter Agius (PPE) on 18 September 2025 highlighted research showing a lack of training for educators to support children with autism and ADHD. Citing the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the European Disability Strategy, he asked the Commission what steps have been taken to implement Parliament’s 2023 resolution on harmonising the rights of autistic persons and what measures are being developed to ensure children with learning difficulties receive individualised education. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Inquiry into freedom of movement barriers for persons with disabilities
In PQ E-003570/2025, MEP Pascal Arimont (PPE) on 17 September 2025 raised concerns about the severe obstacles faced by persons with disabilities who require personal assistance when moving to another Member State. The question highlights the lack of portability for personal assistance services and financial allowances, which hinders the right to freedom of movement. The MEP asks the Commission to clarify existing instruments, how mobility programmes like Erasmus+ address these needs, and whether legislative proposals are planned to create a European framework for mutual recognition of these services. A response from the Commission is pending.
Chronic & Neurodegenerative Diseases
❓ MEP presses for progress on ME/CFS research and medical education
In PQ E-003626/2025, MEP Romana Jerković (S&D) on 18 September 2025 questioned the lack of tangible progress five years after the Parliament’s 2020 resolution on myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The MEP noted the continued absence of a harmonised data collection system and inconsistent reporting across Member States. She asked how the Commission is supporting the establishment of a research strategy and data system for ME/CFS and how it is assisting Member States in integrating ME/CFS education into medical curricula. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Questions raised on equal access to treatment for neurodegenerative diseases
In PQ E-003561/2025, MEP Billy Kelleher (Renew) on 16 September 2025 highlighted the growing prevalence of Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions in Europe. Pointing to disparities in healthcare, such as Ireland having significantly fewer neurologists per capita than the EU average, he asked if the Commission considers these diseases a priority in its EU Health Union work and what measures it will take to ensure fair and equal access to treatment across the EU. A response from the Commission is pending.
Cross-Border & National Healthcare
❗ Commission outlines rules for cross-border recognition of accident consequences
In PQ E-003172/25, MEP Christine Schneider (PPE) on 4 August 2025 asked how the EU ensures cross-border recognition and compensation for accident victims, particularly regarding reduced earning capacity. In a response on 19 September 2025, Executive Vice-President Mînzatu clarified that EU social security coordination rules protect citizens who have an accident in another Member State. Under the principles of equal treatment and assimilation of facts, Member States cannot distinguish where an accident occurred for granting benefits. Furthermore, the Motor Insurance Directive ensures coverage for damages regardless of where in the EU the accident occurs, and competent institutions are bound by medical findings from the Member State where examinations took place.
❓ Commission pressed on enforcing cross-border healthcare reimbursement rules
In PQ E-003566/2025, MEP Mircea-Gheorghe Hava (PPE) on 16 September 2025 referenced a recent Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) judgment (Case C‑489/23) that found making reimbursement of cross-border medical costs conditional on an assessment by a national public health professional was contrary to EU law. The MEP asked what tools the Commission will use to monitor and enforce CJEU case-law in Member States and whether it plans further harmonisation measures to ensure a predictable framework for patients. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Inquiry into Greece’s high rate of unmet medical needs
In PQ E-003615/2025, MEP Nikolaos Anadiotis (NI) on 17 September 2025 drew attention to 2024 Eurostat data showing Greece has the highest share of citizens (21.9%) reporting unmet needs for medical care in the EU, with cost and distance being major barriers. The MEP asked for the Commission’s view on these figures, what measures it will take to ensure access for disadvantaged citizens, and whether it will support Greece with targeted programmes to strengthen primary care and reduce barriers. A response from the Commission is pending.
Vaccines & Pharmacovigilance
❓ Commission questioned on timing of myocarditis risk communication for mRNA vaccines
In PQ E-003631/2025, MEP Christine Anderson (ESN) on 18 September 2025 cited a US Senate report alleging that US health agencies knew of increased myocarditis risk from mRNA COVID-19 injections as early as February 2021 but did not communicate it until June 2021. The MEP asked if the European Medicines Agency (EMA), national authorities, or the Commission possessed evidence of this risk prior to the EMA’s public communication in July 2021, and whether any draft safety alerts were considered before that date. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ MEPs question divergent EU and US guidance on new COVID-19 vaccine
In PQ E-003611/2025, MEP Barbara Bonte (PfE) on 17 September 2025 questioned the significant difference between the recommendations of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the 2025-2026 formulation of the Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine. The MEP seeks to understand the criteria leading to the EMA’s broader recommendation for use in everyone aged 6 months and older, compared to the FDA’s more targeted guidance for older adults and high-risk individuals, and also asks about the availability of single-dose vials in the EU. A response from the Commission is pending.
Pandemic Preparedness & Global Health
❗ Commission details Member State rejections of WHO health regulation amendments
In PQ E-003072/25, MEP Gerald Hauser (PfE) on 24 July 2025 asked which EU and non-EU countries had formally objected to or rejected the 2024 amendments to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) International Health Regulations (IHR). In a response on 19 September 2025, Commissioner Várhelyi confirmed that the amendments will enter into force on 19 September 2025, with a later date for countries that had rejected the 2022 amendments shortening the objection period. He stated that information available to the Commission indicates that Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Canada, the Czech Republic, Germany, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, the Philippines, and the USA have notified rejections of the 2024 amendments, with most explaining the need to complete domestic processes first.
❓ Details sought on 2019 pandemic simulation exercise in Greece
In PQ E-003628/2025, MEP Gerald Hauser (PfE) on 18 September 2025 referenced the ECDC’s 2019 annual report, which mentioned a large-scale simulation exercise in Greece in October 2019 involving the intentional release of a pathogen. The MEP asked for details on the exercise’s scenarios and deliverables, what coercive measures and restrictions on fundamental rights were tested, and how EU institutions became aware in 2019 that a pandemic could break out weeks later. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ MEPs seek clarity on new global health resilience initiative
In PQ E-003557/2025, MEPs Leire Pajín and Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis (S&D) on 16 September 2025 requested further details on the global health resilience initiative announced by President von der Leyen in her 2025 State of the Union address. Noting the lack of specifics on funding or implementation, they asked the Commission to outline the initiative’s scope, objectives, timeline, and responsible DGs, and to clarify whether it will include dedicated funding from the EU budget or other instruments. A response from the Commission is pending.
Disease Prevention & Control
❗ Commission outlines funding for mosquito and vector control
In PQ E-002763/25, the Commission was asked about its support for vector control. In a response on 16 September 2025, Commissioner Várhelyi detailed several funding streams and projects. He highlighted the VectorNet project, coordinated by ECDC and EFSA, and a EUR 1.1 million contribution under the EU4Health 2024 Work Programme to apply the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) in Cyprus. He also noted that the EU4Health 2025 Work Programme will fund a Joint Action to strengthen national surveillance, cohesion policy funds can support preventive health measures, and Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe have funded over EUR 45 million in related research.
Tobacco Control
❗ Nicotine pouches to be included in new EU budget revenue source, snus excluded
In PQ E-003036/25, MEPs Charlie Weimers, Dick Erixon, and Beatrice Timgren (ECR) on 22 July 2025 asked if Swedish snus and tobacco-free nicotine pouches would fall under the scope of the Commission’s proposed Tobacco Excise Duty Own Resource (TEDOR). In a response on 16 September 2025, Commissioner Serafin clarified that TEDOR is a revenue source for the EU budget, not a new tax, and its scope is defined by the Tobacco Taxation Directive. He confirmed that the revised Directive will not harmonise taxation on snus, but nicotine pouches do fall within its scope and will be included in the calculation for the own resource. The Commission has no intention to propose exemptions for any Member State.
❗ Commission awaits agency assessments before acting on new glyphosate study
In two related PQs, E-002696/25 and E-002862/25, MEPs questioned the Commission’s stance following a new study suggesting glyphosate is carcinogenic. In a coordinated response on 16 September 2025, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that the Commission has mandated the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to conduct a “robust and thorough scientific evaluation” of the new information. He confirmed the agencies have asked the study’s authors for all raw data. The Commission will only consider initiating a review of glyphosate’s approval after the agencies’ assessments are complete, noting that ECHA had twice previously concluded that no classification for carcinogenicity was warranted.
❓ Inquiry into legality of methylene chloride exemption in Sweden
In PQ E-003595/2025, MEP Pär Holmgren (Verts/ALE) on 17 September 2025 questioned an exemption granted to a Swedish firm to use 1,280 tonnes of methylene chloride, a carcinogenic and toxic chemical, between 2025 and 2027. The MEP noted that the facility is located in the basin of Lake Mälaren, a drinking water source for over two million people. He asked the Commission whether it considers this exemption consistent with EU legislation on chemicals (REACH) and environmental law. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Commission asked to support reuse of unused cytotoxic drugs
In PQ E-003538/2025, a cross-party group of MEPs led by Sirpa Pietikäinen (PPE) on 15 September 2025 highlighted a successful Dutch pilot for reusing unused cytotoxic drugs dispensed for home use, which are currently destroyed under EU law. The MEPs noted that enabling safe reuse could reduce both environmental impact and medicine shortages. They asked how the Commission could support safe medicine reuse without compromising patient safety, referencing a Dutch proposal to amend the EU Pharmaceutical Directive. A response from the Commission is pending.
Transparency & Accountability
❗ Commission confirms it holds no text messages from President’s Pfizer talks
In PQ E-002812/25, MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen (ECR) on 9 July 2025 asked if the Commission would appeal a General Court ruling regarding access to text messages between President von der Leyen and Pfizer’s CEO, and when it would publish a new decision. In a response on 17 September 2025, Commissioner Šefčovič confirmed the Commission did not appeal the judgment. He stated that on 28 July 2025, the Commission adopted a new decision, C(2025)5429, providing a more detailed explanation as to why it does not hold documents of the requested type. He reiterated the Commission’s commitment to transparency and its robust record-keeping policy.
Human Rights & Migration
❗ Commission monitoring Italy’s migrant detention centres following critical report
In PQ E-001971/25, a large group of MEPs from Verts/ALE, The Left, and S&D on 16 May 2025 demanded action over systematic human rights violations in Italian migrant detention centres (CPRs), citing a Council of Europe report and a recent inspection. In a response on 15 September 2025, Commissioner Brunner acknowledged the report and stated the Commission is aware of the issues. He noted that following a 2021 Schengen evaluation, the Council issued recommendations to Italy concerning detention conditions. The Commission is closely monitoring the implementation of these recommendations and liaising with the Italian Ombudsman, while reserving its right as guardian of the Treaties to take further action if necessary.
Foreign Affairs & Humanitarian Aid
❗ EU engaged in “frank dialogue” with Israel over Gaza aid access
In PQ E-003204/25, the Commission was asked about its actions regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza. In a response on 16 September 2025, High Representative/Vice-President Kallas stated the EU’s priorities remain an immediate ceasefire, hostage release, and large-scale humanitarian aid. Following a review of Israel’s obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement, the EU engaged in a “frank dialogue” with Israel, which committed to steps to improve aid access. The EU is closely monitoring the implementation of these commitments via clear benchmarks and will determine further action based on developments, noting that while some improvements are visible, the situation remains dire.
❓ MEP calls for EU recognition of burnout as an occupational disease
In PQ E-003635/2025, MEP Laurent Castillo (PPE) on 19 September 2025 highlighted the alarming rise in burnout cases, which he termed an “epidemic,” and its significant human and economic costs. He urged the Commission to take steps to prevent its onset and protect affected workers. The MEP asked if the Commission plans to revise Directive 89/391/EEC to provide a harmonised definition of burnout or include it as an occupational disease in Recommendation 2003/670/EC, and what initiatives are being taken to combat it. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Commission questioned on recognising lithium as an essential micronutrient
In PQ E-003565/2025, MEP Gerald Hauser (PfE) on 16 September 2025 cited recent scientific studies suggesting lithium is an essential trace element for human health and that deficiency can contribute to Alzheimer’s and other neuropsychiatric disorders. Noting that lithium is not recognised as essential in the EU and its salts are not authorised as dietary supplements, he asked if the Commission plans to recognise lithium as an essential micronutrient and what steps are being taken to authorise low-dose supplements. A response from the Commission is pending.
