Ruqayyah Snyder
Bex, an over-the-counter analgesic powder, was a popular medication in Australia during the 1950s and 1960s. It was marketed as a cure for various ailments, including headaches, and as a 'pick-me-up' for housewives. However, despite its slogan claiming that it was not a narcotic nor is it injurious in any way, Bex was highly addictive due to its combination of aspirin, phenacetin, and caffeine or codeine. The harmful effects of Bex were eventually recognised, and it was banned in Australia in 1977 due to its association with kidney disease and health problems.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year Banned in Australia | 1977 |
| Reasons for Ban | Health problems, addictive, caused kidney disease |
| Active Ingredients | Aspirin, Phenacetin, Codeine or Caffeine |
| Generic Name | A.P.C. |
| Popularity | 1950s and 1960s |
| Advertisement Claim | Not a narcotic nor is it injurious in any way |
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What You'll Learn
Bex was banned in Australia in 1977
Bex, an analgesic powder containing aspirin, phenacetin, and caffeine, was once a popular over-the-counter medication in Australia, especially during the 1950s and 1960s. Marketed as a cure for various ailments, it became a go-to "pick-me-up" for housewives and workers alike. However, this changed in 1977 when Bex was banned in Australia.
The road to the ban began in the 1960s when Dr. Priscilla Kincaid-Smith, a doctor who had recently arrived in Australia from South Africa, recognised the dark truth about these powders. Contrary to their reputation as a benign headache cure, Bex and similar products were highly addictive. Furthermore, the large doses of phenacetin they contained were causing widespread kidney disease among habitual users.
As a result of Dr. Kincaid-Smith's findings and subsequent political activism, government controls were implemented in the 1970s to restrict the sale of analgesic products. Despite initial resistance from the Bex company, the mounting health concerns, combined with labour issues, ultimately led to their demise.
In 1977, Bex was officially banned in Australia. While the ban was a positive step for public health, it also marked the end of an era. The expression "a cup of tea, a Bex, and a good lie down," popularised by a 1965 comedy revue of the same name, had become a common Australian saying, often used to jokingly suggest that someone calm down or relax. Even decades later, in 2011, former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd referenced the phrase when discussing political tensions within his party.
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Bex was marketed as a benign headache cure
Bex, a combination of aspirin and caffeine, was once a popular over-the-counter remedy in Australia, commonly used to treat headaches and other minor ailments. It was first introduced to the market in the early 1930s by the pharmaceutical company Nicholas-Aspirin Ltd. and quickly became a household name. Marketed as a benign and effective cure for headaches, Bex was easily accessible and affordable for most Australians. The active ingredients in Bex were not subject to the same strict regulations as prescription medications, contributing to its widespread availability.
The aspirin in Bex worked to reduce inflammation and ease pain, while the caffeine stimulated the central nervous system, providing a temporary energy boost and enhancing the pain-relieving effects of the aspirin. This combination proved popular with consumers, and Bex became a trusted remedy for generations of Australians. The brand was so well-known that the product became synonymous with any aspirin-based headache tablet, with "Bex" entering the Australian lexicon as a generic term for this type of medication.
Bex was heavily marketed through advertising campaigns that promoted its effectiveness and safety. Vintage advertisements from the mid-20th century featured endorsements from medical professionals and emphasized Bex's ability to provide fast relief from headaches and other aches and pains. The ads often targeted busy mothers and working individuals, promising quick relief from their daily ailments. The caffeine in Bex also provided an added appeal to consumers, offering a temporary boost to help them get through their day.
However, despite its widespread use and benign reputation, concerns began to emerge about the potential for Bex to be misused and abused. The combination of aspirin and caffeine, when taken in excess, could lead to adverse health effects, including liver damage and, in severe cases, death. As a result, the Australian government took steps to regulate the sale and availability of Bex, eventually leading to its ban in the 1970s. This decision marked a shift in the understanding of the potential harms of over-the-counter medications and highlighted the importance of regulating substances that can have detrimental effects when misused.
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It was highly addictive and caused kidney disease
Bex was a combination of aspirin, phenacetin, and caffeine, and was marketed as a cure for various ailments. It was extremely popular in Australia during the 1950s and 1960s, with many people, including housewives and factory workers, relying on it as a "pick-me-up". Bex was also a cultural icon in Australia, with the phrase "a cup of tea, a Bex, and a good lie down" becoming a common saying. This phrase was even referenced by Australia's Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd in 2011.
However, despite its popularity, Bex was not without its dangers. It was highly addictive, and the massive doses of phenacetin taken by habitual users were causing widespread kidney disease. This was first recognised by Dr Priscilla Kincaid-Smith, a doctor who had recently arrived from South Africa in the 1960s. She lobbied to stop harmful pain relief medication, including Bex and similar products, from being marketed as useful stimulants.
The health risks associated with Bex and other A.P.C. preparations led to the decline of the company that produced it. Political activism around these health concerns resulted in government controls being placed on analgesic products in the 1970s. Eventually, Bex was banned in 1977.
The story of Bex serves as a reminder of the potential dangers of over-the-counter medications and the importance of thorough medical research and regulation. While it was once a popular remedy, the harmful side effects of Bex far outweighed its benefits, and it is now recognised as a product that caused significant harm to those who used it.
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It was popular in the 1950s and 60s
Bex was at the height of its popularity in Australia during the 1950s and 1960s. It was marketed as a cure for all kinds of ailments and was widely used as a 'pick-me-up' by bored and frustrated housewives before the Women's Liberation movement and the advent of the contraceptive pill. It was not just housewives who relied on Bex; it was also commonly used by factory workers. The active ingredients in Bex were aspirin, phenacetin, and codeine or caffeine, and it was produced in powder and tablet form.
The phrase "A cup of tea, a Bex, and a good lie down" became a common Australian saying during this time. The expression was popularized by a comedy revue of the same name, which opened at Sydney's Phillip Street Theatre in September 1965 and became the theatre's longest-running show in 1966. The revue reinforced the phrase, and it was often used to tell someone to calm down or relax.
Bex was heavily advertised in women's magazines and, with the advent of television, through TV commercials. One such advertisement from the 1960s featured elderly lawn bowlers, a rare example of men being targeted by Bex marketing. Despite claims that Bex was ""Not a narcotic nor is it injurious in any way," the drug was highly addictive and had harmful health effects.
By the 1970s, the company behind Bex was facing a decline due to labour issues and growing awareness of the health problems associated with its products. Bex was eventually banned in Australia in 1977.
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It was used in a comedy revue in 1965
The analgesic compound Bex was a popular medication in Australia for much of the 20th century. It was marketed as a cure-all for various ailments and was especially popular among housewives in the 1950s and 1960s. However, it was later discovered to be highly addictive, and its active ingredient, phenacetin, was linked to widespread kidney disease when consumed in large doses.
In the midst of Bex's popularity, a comedy revue titled "A Cup of Tea, a Bex and a Good Lie Down" opened at Sydney's Phillip Street Theatre on September 18, 1965. Written by John McKellar, the revue capitalized on the catchphrase "A Cup of Tea, a Bex and a Good Lie Down," which had become commonplace in Australia following World War II. The phrase was often used to suggest that someone should calm down or adopt a more relaxed attitude.
The revue's cast included John Ewart, Gloria Dawn, Ruth Cracknell, and Reg Livermore. It enjoyed a successful run, becoming the longest-running show at the theatre in 1966 and surpassing 250 performances. It was McKellar's most critically acclaimed and popular work, described by The Bulletin as "good, clean fun" with "some brilliant spots and an enlivening finale."
The revue's title and subject matter centered around Bex, reflecting its cultural significance in Australia at the time. The play reinforced the catchphrase, which soon became ingrained in Australian slang. However, as awareness grew about the negative health impacts of Bex, the phrase took on a more nuanced meaning, sometimes carrying a pejorative connotation.
Despite its initial popularity, Bex's reputation changed as it became associated with health issues. Eventually, in 1977, the product was banned. This shift in perception was reflected in the enduring catchphrase, which continued to be referenced even after Bex's decline. Notably, in 2011, former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd invoked the phrase when facing media speculation about his political ambitions.
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Frequently asked questions
Bex was banned in Australia in 1977.
Bex was a popular over-the-counter medication in Australia during the 1950s and 1960s. It was marketed as a cure for headaches and a variety of other ailments.
Bex was found to be highly addictive, and the large doses of phenacetin in the product caused widespread kidney disease among habitual users.
Yes, Bex was referenced in a comedy revue called "A Cup of Tea, a Bex and a Good Lie Down," which opened in Sydney in 1965. The title became a common Australian saying, often used to tell someone to calm down or relax.
