Pharma

Amazon taps former Kindle exec to lead pharmacy efforts, reports say

Company veteran Nader Kabbani previously helped lead Kindle's direct publishing platform and the company's Flex last-mile delivery service.

Amazon’s steady march to disrupt the traditional pharmaceutical industry now has a general: company veteran Nader Kabbani.

CNBC reports that Kabbani, who previously helped lead Kindle’s direct publishing platform and the company’s Flex last-mile delivery service, has been appointed as “vice president of consumables, special projects,” citing internal Amazon documents.

Amazon’s activity in the space has been ramping up since the big splash of its nearly $1 billion acquisition of online pharmacy startup PillPack last year which sent pharmacy stocks tumbling. According to CNBC Kabbani served as the lead for the PillPack acquisition, outmaneuvering other potential suitors like Walmart.

Since then, the company has been focused on building out its national network by applying for new pharmacy licenses allowing it to sell into other states.

PillPack’s executive team including CEO TJ Parker, CTO Alan Gao and chief product officer Elliot Cohen will report to Kabbani who has extensive experience in supply chain management, deliveries and logistics, although no particular expertise in the pharmaceutical space.

Kabbani himself will report to Sunny Jain, Amazon’s vice president of consumables, the business unit that handles consumer packaged goods.

Picture: marchmeena29, Getty Images

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