Solidarity: The Air Force stands with the Pharmaceutical Bank for the 2026 Medicine Collection Days

The 2026 edition of the Drug Collection Days, the important solidarity initiative promoted by Pharmaceutical Bank Foundation Onlus. Once again this year, the Air Force has responded generously to the appeal, confirming its social commitment and constant closeness to the most vulnerable groups in the population.

Responding to the Foundation's request, the Armed Force extended the collaboration initiative to all units stationed across the country. In line with their daily institutional and operational commitments, the men and women in blue volunteered their time outside of service hours at participating pharmacies, encouraging citizens to donate over-the-counter medicines to local charitable organisations.

The participation was unanimous, involving Departments of every specialty and geographic location, bearing testament to an unbreakable bond with local communities:

• North and North-Central: It 1st Aircraft Maintenance Department in Cameri, involved in Novara, and the staff of 3rd Wing in Villafranca di Verona, local pharmacies were manned (the latter assisted by representatives of the Air Force Association). In Emilia-Romagna, support came from Piacenza Airport Detachment and from 15th Wing in Cervia, operating in the territory of Cesena. In Tuscany, the 46th Air Brigade He guarded numerous pharmacies in Pisa, Cascina, Pontedera and San Giuliano Terme, while the 4th Wing He/She/It contributed to Grosseto.
• Central and Southern Italy In Lazio, the 31st Wing In Ciampino it has renewed its commitment to solidarity, joining the support provided in the Marches by 114th Remote Radar Squadron in Potenza Picena and in Umbria from Munition and Armament Logistics Centre, active in the Terni area. In Campania, in addition to the 9th Wing and to School of AM Specialists. who operated with their volunteers in Caserta, the personnel of the’Air Force Academy, engaged in Pozzuoli. In Puglia, they have been operational the 36th Fighter Wing, present in Gioia del Colle, Conversano, Turi and Noci, the 3rd Vehicle Maintenance Group of Bari Mungivacca and the Otranto Air Detachment.
• Islands In Sicily, the staff of 137th Remote Radar Squadron it was busy between Noto and Rosolini. In Sardinia, a particularly extensive commitment saw protagonists the Air Force Command for the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, the RSSTA of Decimomannu, the Capo Frasca Polygon, the Alghero Detachment and the’80° SAR Centre (Search and Rescue), available in numerous pharmacies in the provinces of Cagliari, Oristano and Sassari.

The Banco Farmaceutico, which collected over two million donated medicines and healthcare items in 2025 alone, continues to be a fundamental tool in combating health poverty. In the latest consolidated edition (2024) of the Drug Collection Days, thanks to the contribution of thousands of volunteers and pharmacies, over 588,000 medicines to the benefit of over 460,000 people assisted by 2,011 affiliated charitable organisations Pharmaceutical Bank.

The participation of the Air Force in these Days represents not only logistical support, but testifies to the sincere spirit of solidarity and the service ethic that animates the Armed Force, capable of concretely combining professional commitment with social vocation. for the benefit of the community.