The American Pain Society could cease operations, in part due to costly legal battles, according to an email obtained by MedPage Today.
Four details:
1. In the May 22 email, the APS board asked society members to approve filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition, which would dissolve the group.
2. APS has been fighting a number of lawsuits alleging the organization and other medical associations were a front for opioid drugmakers that financially supported them.
3. At least 10 percent of APS' 1,173 eligible members had to vote by May 29, with a majority in favor of the filing, for the society to shut down. Results of the vote had not yet been disclosed at the time of publication.
4. APS' Journal of Pain and several research grants would be dissolved or taken over by other organizations. The 2020 annual meeting has already been called off after years of declining attendance.