Boniva (ibandronate) persists in the bone longer than Fosamax (alendronate). While that increases convenience, it has the disadvantage of increasing the possiblity of aytypical femur fracture and osteonecrosis of the jaw. Mind you, some individuals never develop, either. So that doesn't indicate that you are at risk.
Because of their persistence in the bone, bisphosphonates blunt the effect of the anabolic drugs that you eventually need, since medical opinion (now) is that you shouldn't stay on drugs that inhibit bone remodeling for more than five years.
Boniva was taken off the market in 2023, but ibandronate can be found as a generic. I think roche abandoned the drug, for the reason you mention -- it isn't capturing the market. And Roche was unable to hold onto the patent.
Your md may not have recommended more calcium because of the suspicion or controversy over whether it causes athersclerosis. I would worry for your friend because calcium and/or d supplementation can't reverse osteoporosis fast enough to prevent fractures. While some never fracture, vertebral fractures never heal in their original configuration. They alter the structure of you entire spine and worse, can cause unending pain.
Your point though is well taken. And, we often end up taking what our physicians recommend. I've seen a number of endocrinologist and one reumatologist, but never have been offered a prescription for Boniva or ibandronate.
I jumped into the more expensive injection, Forteo, because bisphosphonates are slow. They work by maintaining older bone that can't repair itself. The expensive, inconvenient injectibles build bone more quickly and build a structurally more flexible bone.
Wishing you the best.