DavaIndia
“India’s presence in the global pharmaceuticals industry is rapidly growing. It is the largest provider of generic medicines globally, occupying a 20% share in global supply by volume. With these figures and potential, we have the power to build a world where quality medication is accessible to every individual, without economic or societal discrimination.”
In India, till today, a large section of the population pays for healthcare expenses out of their own pockets. With the rising healthcare costs, the interest in generic drugs has increased almost all over the world, whether it is a rich or a poor country.
But what exactly lies behind the seismic shift in the growing popularity of generic medicines?
Generic medications provide high-quality, cost-effective alternatives to branded drugs, thereby increasing access to essential treatments for a broader population. The rise of generic medicines is a crucial development, helping to manage healthcare costs while ensuring that more people can benefit from necessary medical care. As the world struggles with rising healthcare expenses and seeks to extend the benefits of modern medicine to all, generic medicines offer a viable solution to these major concerns.
DavaIndia, a division of Zota Healthcare Ltd., is a leader in this transformative movement about generic medicines. The company is dedicated to providing affordable, high-quality generic medicines to millions of people across India. Dr. Sujit Paul , Group CEO , Zota Healthcare Ltd (Davaindia Generic Pharmacy), has led the organization through significant growth. With over two and a half decades of senior leadership experience, Dr. Paul brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Davaindia, guiding it through a period of rapid expansion and enhanced service delivery.
For the edition of “The 10 Most Ambitious Healthcare CEOs Redefining Patient Care in 2025,” we had the opportunity of interviewing Dr. Sujit Paul. We talked about the entire inception story behind his organization and how Davaindia’s focus is on making essential generic medicines and healthcare products more accessible and affordable.
A Brief About The Visionary
Dr. Sujit Paul—Group CEO of Zota Healthcare Ltd.—leads the domestic and international businesses. As an industry veteran, he carries more than two and a half decades of rich experience in setting up, scaling and operating for a diverse plethora of brands such as Reliance Pharma Retail, Asian Paints, Apollo Pharmacy, Columbia Asia Hospital and many more.
His mettle and expertise have been acknowledged through various national and international news media, TV, international TV shows, and prominent airline magazines.
He has been extensively covered by a huge repertoire of publications ranging from “Times Now and Brand Vision honored amongst 100 Top Global Leaders by Asia One” in Dubai to “CEO Insights magazine as Top 10 CEOs in Healthcare.”
Prime Insights: We extend a warm welcome to you, sir, for today’s interview. It is indeed an honour for us to have this opportunity to engage with you. To begin with, could you kindly walk us through the portfolio of Davaindia?
Yes, so our organization, Davaindia, operates nationwide, serving a vast and diverse customer base. We offer a diverse portfolio of over 2,000+ products, which includes generic medicines, OTC products, gym supplements, health and wellness items, nutraceuticals, Ayurvedic products, surgical items, and exclusive Khadi India products.
With a steadfast mission to make the affordable high-quality generic medicine accessible to all, Davaindia has established over 1500 retail stores, spreading its outreach to the remotest parts of India.
To date, we have served more than 1.5 crore satisfied customers nationwide. Our ability to deliver effective medical solutions for chronic conditions further strengthens our commitment to continuously transform the nation’s long-term health management landscape. The brand operates under the aegis of Zota Healthcare Ltd., an NSE-listed pharmaceutical company with over 35 years of industry experience.
Prime Insights: Sir, could you please explain the difference between generic medicines and the branded medicines commonly available in the market? What makes generic medicines unique and widely accessible to the masses?
Generic medicine is a type of drug that has the same chemical substance as a branded medicine that was once protected by a patent. It works in the same way and is just as effective as the original medicine. The main ingredient in generic and branded medicine is the same. However, generic medicines may look different in terms of color, taste, or packaging. These changes do not affect the quality or effectiveness of the medicine.
Branded medicines are usually expensive because their prices include the cost of research, development, and heavy marketing through doctors and chemists.
On the other hand, generic medicines are cheaper because the companies do not spend money on drug discovery or large-scale promotions. They only cover manufacturing costs, which helps them sell the medicines at a lower price. This is why generic medicines are becoming more popular and widely accepted across all types of cities, including tier 2 and tier 3.
The quality and safety of Davaindia’s generic medicines are just as good as the branded ones available in the market. But what makes them special is the price—Davaindia’s generic medicines promise maximum savings on medicine bills. That means people can save a lot on their medical expenses.
Prime Insights: How is your organization keeping innovation at the forefront and embracing new-age technology developments?
Davaindia prioritizes innovation and embraces cutting-edge technology to lead in pharmaceutical retail. We excel in AI-driven inventory management, personalized customer engagement, and digitalization for operational efficiency. Our dynamic approach includes agile responses to market needs and a strong focus on R&D to continually enhance our product offerings.
Prime Insights: Sir, can you throw some light on the business model that is being followed at Davaindia?
One of the special things about Davaindia’s business model is its COCO store format—this means all stores are company-owned and company-operated. Because of this, every store offers the same high quality and service. This builds trust and keeps customers coming back.
With full control over the supply chain, Davaindia makes sure that the right products are always available and meet strict quality standards. This not only makes shopping easier and better for customers but also strengthens the brand’s image as one people can rely on, no matter which store they visit. Our mission to make high-quality healthcare accessible to all is evident in the rapid expansion and extensive product offerings.
Prime Insights: What are the inspiring recognitions and achievements of Davaindia that you would like to share?
Our achievements highlight our impactful role in healthcare, blending quality, affordability, and customer-centricity to set new standards in pharmacy retail. Here are some of the achievements I would like to particularly mention:
- Certified continuously as one of the Amazing Workplaces, recognizing its employee-friendly environment.
- Honored as a Prestigious Brand in Retail Pharmacy Chain by BARC Asia.
- Awarded Pharmacy Retailer of the Year by IREC (Indian Retail & eRetail Awards).
- Recognized as the Best Organization for Innovation by ET Now.
- Multiple other accolades from respected industry bodies and media outlets for contributions to the healthcare sector.
- To recognize Dr. Sujit Paul’s outstanding contribution to the retail industry, he has been conferred with:
- India’s Impactful CEO by Times Now
- Innovative Visionary & Leading Healthcare CEO by Elets Technomedia
- Industry No. 1 CEO in Pharma Retail by BARC Asia
- Eminent Speaker by South Gujarat Chamber of Commerce
- Distinguished TEDx Speaker
- Recognized as among Top 15 Promising Leaders in India by Money Control in May 2023
Prime Insights: What are your thoughts on the importance of R&D and continuous improvement at Davaindia?
Research and Development (R&D) plays a crucial role in our organization. It is only natural that we have a dedicated R&D team that works tirelessly to innovate and improve our product offerings. Through continuous R&D and a deep understanding of customer health concerns, we are able to deliver high-quality, affordable healthcare solutions.
Prime Insights: What does the future hold for Davaindia?
Bringing Affordable Healthcare to Your Fingertips: In today’s fast-paced world, access to quality healthcare should be as seamless as booking a flight. That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce our newly launched eCommerce app, designed to make ordering high-quality, affordable generic medicines and OTC products effortless. Whether you’re at home or on the go, you can browse a wide range of trusted healthcare essentials and have them delivered straight to your doorstep. Convenience, affordability, and reliability—because your well-being deserves nothing less.
As Davaindia continues to improve and expand, the future of healthcare looks promising. The company’s commitment to affordability, quality and technological advancement is reshaping the pharmaceutical sector and making high-quality healthcare accessible to all. Our vision is to transform healthcare and enhance the quality of life for millions of people.
By focusing on continuous improvement and using advanced technologies, Davaindia is well-positioned to drive future growth and make a significant impact on global healthcare standards.
Culmination: Inspiring Words for Readers
As we approached the end of the interview, our team thanked Mr. Suraj Paul for his valuable time and for joining us for this engaging conversation. We requested the dignitary to conclude today’s discussion with a few promising words for the readers exploring his journey through this advertorial.
“Throughout Davaindia’s history, innovation, quality and affordability have been hallmarks. With a strong focus on community welfare, we promise to keep working on revolutionizing healthcare in India, making high-quality generic medicines accessible to all, both nationally and internationally. It is a surefire thing that in the times to come, the lines between branded and generic drugs will blur even further.
In this new era, the real measure of success in the pharmaceutical industry won’t really be profit margins or market shares but the ability to ensure that life-changing cures are delivered to the people who need them most—rich or poor.
To the younger generation, I encourage you all to come together and bring your innovative ideas to the forefront. Our country needs audacious minds who believe in the power of creating meaningful change. To achieve this, you must work hard and stay committed to contributing towards the welfare of our nation.”
