The paracetamol tablet Dolo 650, which became a household name in India during the Covid-19 pandemic, is once again in the spotlight. This time, the attention comes after Dr. Palaniappan, a doctor based in the USA, compared Dolo to a toffee. He humorously remarked that Indians pop Dolo 650 like Cadbury Gems—a comment that quickly went viral.

But behind this commonly consumed medicine is a serious business story, one that involves billion-rupee revenues, record-breaking sales, and a pharmaceutical giant that soared during the pandemic.

Who Makes Dolo 650?

Dolo 650 is manufactured by Micro Labs Limited, a Bengaluru-based pharmaceutical company. It’s a paracetamol-based tablet, mostly used to treat fever and mild to moderate pain.

• Founder: GC Surana (founded in 1973)
• Current Chairman: Dilip Surana, son of the founder
• Headquarters: Bengaluru
• Specialties: Pain relief, cardiology, diabetes, ophthalmic products

What makes Dolo 650 stand out is its 650 mg dosage, whereas most other brands typically offer 500 mg of paracetamol. This positioned it as a stronger and more effective option during the high-fever phases of Covid-19.

Dolo’s Covid-Era Boom: ₹567 Crore in Sales

During the Covid pandemic, especially in 2020 and 2021, Dolo 650 became one of India’s most sold medicines. Demand skyrocketed to such an extent that the tablet went out of stock in many areas.

• Tablets Sold: Over 350 crore
• Revenue from Dolo 650 during Covid: ₹567 crore

It became an essential part of Covid-treatment kits prescribed across India, contributing massively to the company’s top line.

Dilip Surana's Net Worth and Company Growth

According to Forbes, Dilip Surana, the chairman of Micro Labs, has a real-time net worth of $1.4 billion (approx. ₹12,000 crore).

• Company Revenue (FY 2023–24): ₹6,670 crore
• Annual Growth: 14% CAGR over the past year

Micro Labs continues to grow steadily, with a wide product range in various therapeutic segments beyond just paracetamol.