Portugal investigates suspected corruption in plasma trade

Portugal's attorney general's office says officials are conducting searches in Portugal and Switzerland as part of a corruption investigation involving supplies of plasma for human use.

The office says in a statement that magistrates and police are searching some three dozen homes and offices, including Health Ministry and National Health Service offices in Portugal and two Swiss locations.

Authorities suspect an employee of a pharmaceutical company and a government official conspired to obtain a monopoly through public tenders for plasma used in Portuguese hospitals.

Tuesday's statement provided no further information. The investigation is covered by Portugal's judicial secrecy law, which forbids the publication of details about ongoing inquiries.