Overpriced but underenforced?

Some sectors become synonymous with certain competition concerns: the construction industry has long been a breeding ground for cartels, the telecoms sector is carefully scrutinised for consolidation, and now the pharmaceutical market seems increasingly tied to the issue of excessive pricing. Yet, wary of overstepping into price regulation, few competition authorities have tried to tackle this final concern. Janith Aranze explores how and why enforcement has differed on both sides of the Atlantic – and if that is likely to change.