In a major step toward improving healthcare access to timely and affordable diagnostics, Nigerian pharmaceutical company Codix Pharma has launched a new facility for the local production of rapid test kits.

Named Codix Bio, the plant will manufacture in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) kits for conditions such as malaria, HIV, Hepatitis B, pregnancy, and COVID-19. These are among the most common health concerns in Nigeria, where access to early diagnosis remains a challenge.

Speaking at the launch, Business Development Manager at Codix Pharma, Mary Ogangwu, highlighted the importance of local production; she stated that the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the vulnerability of overreliance on imported medical supplies.
She emphasised that the new factory was not only a win for Codix, but also a major boost for Nigeria’s healthcare system, reducing dependency on imports and improving accessibility.

Ogangwu acknowledged that full local sourcing was currently unattainable due to the novelty of the industry in Nigeria. She noted, however, that the company had begun taking steps towards local capacity building.

“We have partnered with Olabisi Onabanjo University to train students in biosensors and nanotechnology. About 138 students have enrolled in this course,” she revealed.

She admitted that several critical components such as lancets were still being imported, impacting final product costs. However, she expressed optimism about plans to localise more inputs.

Ogangwu also praised the Federal Government’s support for local pharmaceutical manufacturing through initiatives like the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), and Executive Orders waiving import duties on pharmaceutical equipment. “This is a clear sign that Nigeria is transitioning from being a consumer of healthcare to a producer,” she said.

The General Manager of Plant Operations at Codix Bio, Olanrewaju Balaja, assured the public that the company adheres to global standards, including WHO, US FDA, and ISO 13485, for quality assurance and efficacy.

Balaja stressed the importance of stability and usability studies to ensure safety and reliability. “Every unit produced will be subjected to stringent quality controls to meet international standards,” he said.

Chief Operating Officer at Colexa Biosensor, Kingsley Aguoru, added that local manufacturing had broader socio-economic benefits beyond healthcare, including job creation and retention of capital within the country.

Codix Pharma’s executives said their efforts aligned with the World Health Organization’s vision under the World Local Production Forum, which aims to boost equitable access to quality health technologies through local production and technology transfer.