BC Powder
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
BC Powder is an over-the-counter analgesic pain reliever owned by GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals and manufactured in Memphis, TN. It was conceived in Durham, NC, in 1906, by Germain Bernard and C.T. Council, who took the initials of their last names to create the name of the nascent product. It contains 650 mg of aspirin, 33.3 mg of caffeine, and 195 mg of Salicylamide. BC readily promotes the fact that, due to its powder form, it dissolves faster than pain-relief tablets, and thus gets to work faster. It can be taken in a variety of ways, most commonly mixed into water or soda. BC is sold almost exclusively in the American South, where it is acknowledged to have a cult following. BC's marketers enjoy this honor, and sponsor many sporting events in the region. Indeed, the product's distinctive, oval-shaped blue logo is a familiar sight to attendees of Southern minor-league baseball parks and Southeastern Conference collegiate games.
BC Powder has historically been most commonly associated with relief of headaches. In fact, many non-users of the brand erroneously believe the name of the product to be "BC Headache Powder." However, recent advertising and marketing endeavors by the company suggest that it is eager to associate itself with relief of general bodily aches and pains as well.
For several years, BC's television and radio commercials have featured real-life users of the product, non-actors who are encouraged to submit their stories to BC Powder through contests announced on radio programs. Recently, most entries have been culled from listeners of the Charlotte, NC-based radio program "The Big Show with John Boy and Billy." In recent years, members of the "Tom Joyner Radio Show's" predominantly African-American audience have appeared in BC commercials after hearing of the promotion on that program, or from promotions held on Joyner's annual "Fantastic Voyage" fantasy cruise.
BC Powder also manufactures and markets BC Allergy Sinus Headache Powder and BC Arthritis Formula.
BC Powder is often confused with Goody's Powder, a similar product which contains Acetaminophen instead of Salicylamide. Coincidentally, Goody's is also owned by GlaxoSmithKline.
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