This report covers Parliamentary Questions (PQs) and Commission Answers published in the week of Monday, 24 November 2025 to Sunday, 30 November 2025. During this period, 10 new PQs were published and 9 Commission Answers became available. Key themes this week included public health and disease prevention, medicines regulation, health financing and access, digital health, and the intersection of trade, environment, and health.
❗ Review of the Tobacco Products Directive
In a response to Billy Kelleher (Renew), published on 25.11.2025, Commissioner Várhelyi addressed the delay in revising the Tobacco Products Directive. The Commission stated that it is undertaking a complex and comprehensive evaluation of both the Tobacco Products Directive and the Tobacco Advertising Directive, considering new products, scientific developments, and digital marketing. The evaluation is expected to be completed and published in the first half of 2026. (E-003980/25)
❗ EU Life Sciences Strategy
In a response published on 28.11.2025, Commissioner Zaharieva outlined the development of the Strategy for European Life Sciences (LSS). The LSS is described as an umbrella strategy that will roll out actions over the coming years to strengthen the EU’s global position. Its development was informed by sources including the Draghi report and a public call for evidence, which confirmed the need for innovation-responsive regulation and better mobilisation of public and private investments. (E-004156/25)
❓ Impact of a calcium cyanamide fertiliser ban on the EU’s strategic independence
Angelika Niebler (PPE) submitted a question on 29.10.2025 regarding the proposed ban on calcium cyanamide (CaCN2) fertiliser. The question highlights that CaCN2 is a key raw material for pharmaceutical and defence production and asks how the Commission will ensure a potential ban does not jeopardise European production of essential substances like nitroguanidine, creating a strategic disadvantage compared to China. A response from the Commission is pending. (E-004236/25)
Non-Communicable Diseases & Conditions
❗ EU support for cardiovascular health
In an answer published on 24.11.2025, Commissioner Várhelyi confirmed that the Commission supports Member States in reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, through the ‘Healthier Together’ initiative. Over €180 million from the EU4Health Programme has been allocated to actions on cardiovascular diseases and prevention. A future EU Cardiovascular Health Plan is planned to support national efforts, address research gaps, and tackle health inequalities. (E-003891/25)
❗ Commission actions on autism
Responding to a question concerning EU policy on autism, Commissioner Lahbib stated in a reply on 24.11.2025 that the Commission is promoting inclusive education and has achieved progress with the European Disability Card and Disability Employment Package. The answer notes that autism is being given further prominence in health, with the Biotech Act and European Health Data Space set to support earlier diagnosis and therapy development, complemented by the work of the European Reference Network ITHACA. (E-003625/25)
❓ Autism trends, challenges and policy questions in the EU
Emmanouil Fragkos (ECR) asked the Commission on 25.10.2025 about the rising number of autism diagnoses in the EU. Citing varying statistics and inconclusive data on contributing factors, the question asks if the Commission intends to establish targeted prevention and awareness-raising measures to reduce the incidence of autism. A response from the Commission is pending. (E-004205/25)
❓ Unexplained increase in sudden deaths and cardiac events
On 21.11.2025, Galato Alexandraki (ECR) submitted a question concerning a reported increase in sudden deaths and cardiac events, even in young people. The MEP asks how the Commission assesses this trend, whether it intends to systematically examine possible associations with heart disease, COVID-19 infections, or vaccine side effects, and what preventive measures it will propose. A response from the Commission is pending. (E-004660/25)
❓ Dramatic increase in the incidence of cancer following COVID-19 vaccinations
Gerald Hauser (PfE) asked the Commission on 29.10.2025 about a reported increase in cancer incidence following COVID-19 vaccinations, citing a large cohort study from South Korea. The question asks for the Commission’s explanation of these findings and whether it plans specific cancer prevention programmes for vaccine recipients. A response from the Commission is pending. (E-004254/25)
Infectious Diseases & Substance Misuse
❓ The diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease
Aldo Patriciello (PfE) submitted a question on 19.11.2025 regarding critical diagnostic and therapeutic shortcomings for Lyme disease across many EU Member States. The MEP asks if the Commission will take concrete steps to support Member States in improving their capabilities and promote a European research and clinical coordination programme to ensure equal treatment for all patients. A response from the Commission is pending. (E-004611/25)
❗ Raising awareness of anabolic steroid risks
In a reply published on 24.11.2025, Commissioner Micallef clarified that Member States are competent for raising awareness about the risks of anabolic steroids (AS). At the EU level, the Commission supports the sharing of best practices, funds projects through the Erasmus+ programme to promote clean sport, and coordinates cross-border investigations into dangerous goods via the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). (E-002690/25)
❗ EU framework for cyber resilience
In an answer published on 28.11.2025, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen detailed the EU’s legislative framework for cyber resilience. The key instruments are the NIS2 Directive and the Cyber Resilience Act, which impose stringent risk-management measures on critical sectors and cybersecurity requirements for products. This framework is further bolstered by the Cyber Solidarity Act and an ongoing revision of the Cybersecurity Act to make the EU Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) fit for future threats. (E-003871/25)
❗ Delays in Recovery and Resilience Fund (RRF) for Greek hospitals
Sakis Arnaoutoglou (S&D) raised concerns about delays in Greece’s use of RRF funds for projects including hospital renovations. In a response on 25.11.2025, Commissioner Dombrovskis stated that Greece has received over 50% of its RRF allocation. The Commission acknowledged that delays, often due to inflation, supply disruptions, and public procurement issues, are common across Member States and confirmed it is working closely with Greek authorities to facilitate absorption and timely project completion. (E-004045/25)
❗ Support for independent living for persons with disabilities
In a reply published on 28.11.2025, Commissioner Lahbib outlined EU support for persons with disabilities. The Commission has issued guidance to Member States on independent living and deinstitutionalisation. The Joint Sickness Insurance Scheme (JSIS) provides health coverage for EU staff and their dependents with disabilities, and the Commission is analysing possible improvements in long-term care coverage. (E-003653/25)
❓ Extra costs for intra-EU deliveries to island Member States
On 19.11.2025, Peter Agius (PPE) asked about online traders discriminating against consumers in island Member States like Malta and Cyprus by adding high delivery fees, even for medical equipment advertised with free delivery. The question asks what measures the Commission is taking to ensure equal access to fair shipping for consumers in all EU regions. A response from the Commission is pending. (E-004624/25)
❗ EU-Mercosur trade agreement and food safety standards
In a response published on 24.11.2025, Commissioner Šefčovič addressed concerns about the EU-Mercosur trade agreement’s impact on EU agriculture. The Commission stated that the agreement limits preferential agri-food imports and contains robust safeguards. It reiterated that all food products placed on the EU market, whether domestic or imported, must comply with the EU’s high sanitary and phytosanitary standards, with the ‘Vision for Agriculture’ foreseeing stronger alignment on standards for pesticides and animal welfare. (E-003612/25)
❓ EU-US agreement on tariffs and trade
Benoit Cassart (Renew) asked the Commission on 19.11.2025 how it intends to work on standards related to animal welfare, the use of antibiotics, and plant protection products in light of the recent EU-US political agreement on tariffs and trade. A response from the Commission is pending. (E-004603/25)
❓ Heat-related deaths
On 13.11.2025, Moritz Körner (Renew) asked the Commission for data on heat-related deaths in the EU versus the United States over the past five years. The question also seeks an explanation for any differences and asks what measures the Commission considers necessary to reduce heat-related mortality in the context of climate change. A response from the Commission is pending. (E-004526/25)
❓ Simplification initiatives for medical devices, energy and tax
Lídia Pereira (PPE) and Sebastião Bugalho (PPE) submitted a question on 14.11.2025 regarding the Commission’s 2026 work programme, which announced simplification initiatives for areas including medical devices, taxation, and energy. The MEPs ask for details on which legislative initiatives may be withdrawn or amended under the planned omnibus packages for tax and energy. A response from the Commission is pending. (E-004560/25)
All Parliamentary Questions and Commission Answers are accessible via Policy-Insider.AI.
