Amazon.com Inc. is parting ways with the two founders of PillPack, the drug prescription startup the retailer bought to jumpstart its health care ambitions.

TJ Parker, who co-founded PillPack with Elliot Cohen, informed employees that the pair would be leaving Amazon at the end of this month. “You should all be so proud of what we were able to achieve together,” Parker wrote in a note that he also posted on LinkedIn.

Amazon bought the Manchester, New Hampshire-based startup in 2018 for about $753 million, net of cash acquired. Two years later Amazon embedded PillPack deeper into its retail website with the launch of Amazon Pharmacy. PillPack’s physical and digital infrastructure powers Amazon Pharmacy,.

The founders’ departure is just the latest shakeup in Amazon’s health care operation. For example, Amazon announced a few weeks ago it plans to close its Amazon Care telehealth service at the end of 2022. The shuttering coincides with the company’s planned acquisition of 1LifeHealthcare Inc. 1LifeHealthcare operates the One Medical brand of primary health care clinics.

PillPack made its name by sorting medications into easy-to-dispense doses. The service appealed to people juggling multiple drugs for chronic conditions.

The acquisition rattled the health care industry. However, analysts say Amazon has made only minimal inroads in the massive market for prescription drugs. And JD Power estimates the company accounts for just about 1.8% of mail-order drug sales in the U.S.

Returning to entrepreneurship

Parker said he and Cohen would spend time with their families. And later, they plan to “return our focus to starting, investing in and advising other health care and consumer-focused businesses.”

In an email to employees, Neil Lindsay, the executive in charge of Amazon’s health care operation, said: “TJ and Elliot have had a significant impact on Amazon and the Health Services organization, and while they will be missed, we’re grateful for their contributions and wish them well on their next endeavors.”

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