Delivering Innovation and Improving Access to Medication
When Chidozie (Michael) Nzekwe was a young boy in Lagos, Nigeria, he dreamed of becoming a pharmacist. Inspired by his mother, a biologist, and his brother, a medical doctor, he says with a smile, “For me, pharmacy is the intersection of science, care, and creativity.”
Fast forward to today, Chidozie is turning that dream into something bigger: a tech-driven solution to improve access to medication.
From Pandemic Challenges to Big Ideas
Working as a pharmacist during the COVID-19 pandemic, Chidozie saw firsthand how fragmented drug distribution systems left some regions of Lagos with shortages and others with surpluses. “That experience sparked my passion for finding ways to streamline distribution and improve access,” Nzekwe recalls.
Collide Sparks Innovation
After moving to Canada, Chidozie earned a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Health Care Management from Cape Breton University (CBU) in 2025—while juggling two part-time jobs as a pharmacy assistant and Uber driver. His entrepreneurial spirit caught the attention of Todd Graham, manager of CBU’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre, who encouraged him to join the Collide Discover 3-Day program.
“Collide was eye-opening and made what I had in mind for years very clear,” Nzekwe says. Clear enough to win the Collide Discover pitch competition.
Introducing ScriptGo
While working at the Black Diamond Pharmacy in Glace Bay, NS, Chidozie noticed a growing trend: more physicians were sending e-prescriptions, but home delivery was still complicated and inconvenient. “To get a prescription delivered, patients had to confirm with the pharmacy and then request delivery, or make the trip in themselves,” he explains.
That’s when he came up with the idea for ScriptGo, an app to connect patients, pharmacies, and delivery partners. Through the Collide Validate program the tested the idea and learned that pharmacists wanted a tool to schedule deliveries, drivers needed a simple way to log them, and patients were eager to track prescriptions in real time.
“Think DoorDash but for medication deliveries,” Chidozie explains. Optimized routes, certified drivers, and real-time tracking aim to deliver speed, security, and convenience.
Win-Win for Patients and Pharmacists
Chidozie sees home delivery as not only more convenient for patients but also beneficial for pharmacists. This new approach offers privacy for sensitive medications and provides an additional tool to support adherence to medication schedules – especially for elderly or immunocompromised individuals.
“Collide helped me shift my mindset and critically evaluate my ideas,” he adds. “I’ve integrated design thinking to better understand the needs of potential users, rather than just focusing on the technology.”
Next Steps: Launching in Canada
Chidozie plans to launch ScriptGo in Canada, ensuring compliance with PHIA and PIPEDA for patient privacy and handling sensitive medications. He’s already lining up drivers through his Uber network to train and pilot his venture.
With pride, Nzekwe shares, “I want patients to feel secure and connected. By ensuring they can track their medications and pharmacies can deliver better care, we’re closing the gap in access.”
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Collide fosters a culture of innovation and helps students turn ideas into action—and for Chidozie, that journey is just beginning.
The Collide Discover 3-Day program is an innovation and entrepreneurial skills program delivered by Dal Innovates and CEED. This intensive training helps students explore design thinking, how to develop a value proposition and build a business model canvas.
Want to learn more about Collide programs or support innovators like Chidozie? Click here to get involved!
