Trump Officially Declares Opioid Epidemic a Public Health Emergency

President Donald Trump officially declared the nationwide opioid crisis a public health emergency, directing agencies to use existing authority to the best of their ability to combat the epidemic.

According to the White House, the FDA is “imposing new requirements” on opioid manufacturers, focused on reversing the overprescribing of painkillers — and Trump promised actions guided by evidence and results.

The declaration is narrower than a national state of emergency measure, that Trump hinted at in August, and does not explicitly include additional funding. The measure does give the HHS secretary authority to make certain public health grants. The declaration lasts for 90 days, but can be renewed.