By Evan Weinberger

Law360, New York (September 29, 2009, 2:56 PM ET) -- Following a recent rash of mergers, the top European Union competition official on Tuesday said pharmaceutical companies should “look out” for investigations in the coming months.

In an appearance before the European Parliament's committee on economic and monetary affairs, EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes said the consolidation in the drug industry has raised concerns for the continent's competition authorities. The coming investigations are a result of a study released earlier this year into anti-competitive practices in the pharmaceuticals sector, she said.

“With the costs of an...