The US President Donald Trump has declared the opioid epidemic in the US a national public health emergency.

The US Centre for Disease Control says almost 100 people die every day in America through overdoses from prescription painkillers.

Figures also show deaths from prescription medications have quadrupled since 1999.

Labelling the epidemic a “national shame” and a “human tragedy,” President Trump insisted the issue is an urgent priority for his administration:

“The federal government is aggressively fighting the opioid epidemic on all fronts,” he said.

“We are working with doctors and medical professional to implement best practices for safe opioid prescribing.”