In conducting the public trial of the pharmaceutical industry on Friday 28 November, Neelie Kroes has once again shown her determination to see both the spirit and the letter of competition law respected. No one should reproach her for this. That is what she is paid for. That said, it is only right to wonder about how useful it was to go about things as she has. There is nothing wrong with making the industry face up to its responsibilities, but was it necessary to organise a public trial?...