Amazon Pharmacy Chief Medical Officer Departs for New Role

Amazon has experienced another high-profile departure within its healthcare division with the exit of Dr. Vin Gupta, the former chief medical officer of Amazon Pharmacy. After five years at the company, Gupta has joined Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, a professional services firm, as a managing director to lead a portfolio focused on health innovation.

Gupta's tenure at Amazon began in 2020 during the early stages of the company's ambitious multiyear effort to establish a substantial presence in the healthcare industry. His departure was announced last month, and while Amazon has yet to name a successor, they expressed gratitude for Gupta's contributions to Amazon Health Services and wished him well in his future endeavors.

Gupta's New Role and Focus

In a statement, Gupta highlighted Manatt's commitment to "scaled impact" in addressing healthcare challenges nationwide, including improving care access and leveraging artificial intelligence "at the point of need." This aligns with Amazon's own goals in the healthcare sector, suggesting a continuation of Gupta's passion for innovation in the field.

High-Profile Departures in Amazon Health

Gupta's exit follows another significant departure within Amazon's health businesses. Earlier this month, Trent Green, CEO of One Medical, announced his resignation after less than two years in the role. Amazon acquired One Medical for $3.9 billion in 2023, demonstrating its continued investment in primary care.

This acquisition builds on Amazon's previous foray into the pharmacy market with the purchase of online pharmacy PillPack for approximately $750 million in 2018. These acquisitions and subsequent leadership changes reflect the dynamic nature of Amazon's healthcare strategy.

Gupta's Contributions to Amazon Pharmacy

During his five years at Amazon, Gupta held various positions, including leading the Covid response and serving as chief medical officer of new products within Amazon's devices and services unit. His role in Amazon Pharmacy was instrumental in launching RxPass, a prescription perk for U.S. Prime members, and expanding drone-based medication delivery programs.

Gupta was also involved with Grand Challenge, an experimental business incubator at Amazon, which fostered healthcare initiatives under founder Jeff Bezos. This multifaceted experience positions Gupta for continued success in the health innovation space.