This Week in Healthcare — Brussels (#26, 2026)
Commission reviews Sanofi vaccine commitments; Romania referred for late pharmacy payments; new MRLs for benomyl, carbendazim, thiophanate-methyl; SANT draft on cross-border healthcare.
July 05, 2026 to July 11, 2026
Commission reviews Sanofi vaccine commitments; Romania referred for late pharmacy payments; new MRLs for benomyl, carbendazim, thiophanate-methyl; SANT draft on cross-border healthcare.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Committee on Public Health (SANT): On July 13, the European Parliament's Committee on Public Health (SANT) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Adoption of joint minutes• 24 March 2026, PV – PE786.787v01-00 (joint SANT-FEMM)• 3 June 2026, PV – PE789.855v01-00 (joint SANT-EMPL)• 3 June 2026, PV – PE790.109v01-00 (joint SANT-DEVE); Amending Regulations (EU) 2017/745 and (EU) 2017/746 as regards simplifying and reducing the burden of the rules on medical devices and in vitro diagnostic medical devices, and amending Regulation (EU) 2022/123 as regards the support of the European Medicines Agency for the expert panels on medical devices and Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 as regards the list of Union harmonisation legislation referred to in its Annex I; Chair’s announcements.
- Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL): On July 14, the European Parliament's Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * ; Chair’s announcements; *** End of electronic vote **.
- Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL): On July 14, the European Parliament's Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Amending Directives 2000/14/EC, 2011/65/EU, 2013/53/EU, 2014/29/EU, 2014/30/EU, 2014/31/EU, 2014/32/EU, 2014/33/EU, 2014/34/EU, 2014/35/EU, 2014/53/EU, 2014/68/EU and 2014/90/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards digitalisation and common specifications; Amending Regulations (EU) No 765/2008, (EU) 2016/424, (EU) 2016/425, (EU) 2016/426, (EU) 2023/1230, (EU) 2023/1542 and (EU) 2024/1781 as regards digitalisation and common specifications; Chair’s announcements.
- Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI): On July 14, the European Parliament's Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Amending Regulations (EC) No 1272/2008, (EC) No 1223/2009 and (EU) 2019/1009 as regards simplification of certain requirements and procedures for chemical products; Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings.
- Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI): On July 14, the European Parliament's Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: ------; Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings.
- Committee on Public Health (SANT): On July 14, the European Parliament's Committee on Public Health (SANT) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Adoption of joint minutes• 24 March 2026, PV – PE786.787v01-00 (joint SANT-FEMM)• 3 June 2026, PV – PE789.855v01-00 (joint SANT-EMPL)• 3 June 2026, PV – PE790.109v01-00 (joint SANT-DEVE); Amending Regulations (EU) 2017/745 and (EU) 2017/746 as regards simplifying and reducing the burden of the rules on medical devices and in vitro diagnostic medical devices, and amending Regulation (EU) 2022/123 as regards the support of the European Medicines Agency for the expert panels on medical devices and Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 as regards the list of Union harmonisation legislation referred to in its Annex I; Chair’s announcements.
- Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL): On July 15, the European Parliament's Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Amending Directive 2004/37/EC as regards the addition of substances and setting limit values in its Annexes I, III and IIIa; Amending Directives (EU) 2016/2341 and 2016/97 as regards the strengthening of the framework for occupational retirement provision.
- Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL): On July 16, the European Parliament's Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Amending Directive 2004/37/EC as regards the addition of substances and setting limit values in its Annexes I, III and IIIa; Amending Directives (EU) 2016/2341 and 2016/97 as regards the strengthening of the framework for occupational retirement provision.
European Commission
Commission seeks feedback on commitments offered by Sanofi regarding promotion of flu vaccines for vulnerable patients
The European Commission invites comments on commitments offered by Sanofi to address competition concerns on its communications campaign for Efluelda, an enhanced flu vaccine. The investigation, formally opened on 26 June 2026, focuses on possible anticompetitive conduct in Germany and France, particularly regarding representations about the evidence base for rival vaccine Fluad, marketed by CSL Seqirus. The Commission's preliminary findings indicate that since 2024, Sanofi may have conducted a misleading campaign creating uncertainty regarding national recommendations for Fluad and Efluelda. Sanofi has proposed to publish clarifications on national recommendations, distribute these to healthcare professionals, and refrain from unsubstantiated negative comparisons except where supported by regulatory product characteristics or direct comparative studies. These commitments would apply through March 2030 and be supervised by a monitoring trustee. The Commission is conducting a market test until 21 August 2026.
Commission refers Romania to EU Court over delays in pharmacy payments
The Commission decided to refer Romania to the Court of Justice of the EU for failing to ensure that the National Health Insurance House (CNAS) pays pharmacies within the 60-day deadline specified in Directive 2011/7/EU on combating late payment in commercial transactions. The Commission considers Romania's payment delays to be systemic, with average delays exceeding the Directive’s time limits. Infringement proceedings began with a letter of formal notice in April 2024, a reasoned opinion in February 2025, and a further opinion in January 2026. Pharmacy associations representing over 500 independent pharmacies submitted complaints. The case, INFR(2024)4004, forms part of the Commission’s efforts to enforce Single Market rules and support SME competitiveness.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
New maximum residue levels set for benomyl, carbendazim, and thiophanate-methyl in or on certain products
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/1546 amends Annexes II, III, and V to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 regarding maximum residue levels (MRLs) for benomyl, carbendazim, and thiophanate-methyl. MRLs for carbendazim and thiophanate-methyl in citrus fruits, mangoes, papayas, and okra/lady's fingers are lowered to the limits of determination, following non-renewal of their authorisations and findings from EFSA on toxicological properties. The regulation is applicable from 29 January 2027 (CELEX: 32026R1546).
Rhizomucor pusillus mycelium authorised as a novel food
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1507 of 3 July 2026 authorises the placing on the EU market of Rhizomucor pusillus mycelium as a novel food and amends Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470. The authorisation is based on the EFSA safety opinion of 29 September 2025 and is valid exclusively for The Protein Brewery B.V. for five years. Use is approved in food supplements and as a meal replacement ingredient, excluding use by pregnant and lactating women. (CELEX: 32026R1507).
EP Committee Work
SANT draft report recommends modernised rules for patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare
The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (SANT) published a draft report with recommendations to the Commission on modernised rules for patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare. Rapporteur Giorgos Georgiou presented the draft on 8 July 2026 (Doc ID: SANT_PR(2026)790010). The report contains proposals for updating rights and procedures for EU citizens seeking healthcare across Member States.
SANT Committee meeting to debate mental health, medical devices, critical medicines, and EMA
On 13-14 July 2026, the SANT Committee will hold debates on youth mental health, including a presentation of an EPRS study and an exchange with Triple P Europe. Minister Jennifer Caroll MacNeill is set to present the Irish Council Presidency's priorities, and the committee will vote on the Critical Medicines Act led by rapporteur Tomislav Sokol (EPP, HR). Other agenda items include simplifying medical device regulation, discussion of the 2027 general budget, and an exchange with EMA Executive Director Emer Cooke on the agency's 2025 report.
What We're Reading This Week
- Europe’s AI moment: Four imperatives for business leaders: European businesses must act on key priorities to harness AI's transformative potential and stay globally competitive.
- Patients – Page 33: Hospitals implement new patient management strategies to improve care quality and operational efficiency.
- Who is turning the screw on sick leave across Europe?: European countries are tightening sick leave policies, increasing pressure on workers and raising concerns about employee well-being and workplace rights.
- 'You're expected to perform, but no one wants to know how you do it': Cocaine, the toxic fuel of young professionals: Cocaine use is rising among young professionals, driven by workplace pressures and a culture of silent, high-stakes performance.
