"The 14th “Give Change to Those in Need” solidarity campaign, promoted by the Dignitude Association between 15 and 26 December, raised €18,937.38 for the abem: Rede Solidária do Medicamento programme, an amount that will enable 114 needy people to access the medicines they need for a year," according to a statement from the Dignitude Association, a Private Social Solidarity Institution (IPSS) that develops solidarity programmes that promote the quality of life and well-being of the Portuguese.

During the campaign, which takes place twice a year, citizens were invited to donate the change from their purchases at more than 600 participating pharmacies across the country.

The executive director of the Dignitude Association, Maria João Toscano, told Lusa that the initiative “went beautifully”, despite the fact that the money raised was lower than the amount raised in the campaign held in December last year (€24,101).

Maria João Toscano pointed out that the decrease in donations is the result of the financial problems faced by the Portuguese, emphasising that citizens are no less supportive.

“We are living in a poor country and so I look back with a sense of fulfilment and gratitude at the amount we collected in this campaign because, in fact, it was an effort that society as a whole made to support those who are still in a worse situation,” she added.

According to the director, for donations to increase it is necessary to improve the quality of life of the population, pointing out that many of the campaign’s donors are also on the brink of poverty and are unable to donate money because they do not have the financial means to do so.

The director also pointed out that one in 10 Portuguese people are unable to pay for prescribed medicines because they do not have the money, emphasising that there are cases of people who have to choose between “putting food on the table for their children and family or buying medicines”.

The campaign is part of the ABEM Programme: Solidarity Network for Medicines, coordinated by the Dignitude Association.

This programme helps people and families in situations of economic vulnerability to buy the medicines they need, with referrals from IPSS, Santa Casa da Misericórdia, local authorities and other solidarity organisations.

Since 2016, the abem Programme has helped more than 43,300 beneficiaries and dispensed more than 3.3 million packs of medicines.

Citizens can donate money to the programme all year round via the ʽmbwayʼ app (932 440 068) or by bank transfer (PT50 0036 0000 9910 5914 8992 7), the statement said.