Change Of Medication

[Arrods]

For 8 years OH has taken Adcal-D3 calcium tablets. Without notice, prescription was changed to calci-D tablets, after which she had severe hip pains. She stopped taking them and the pain disappeared. We noticed that the ingredients were of different proportions and that, because she was only taking one Adcal-D3, the dosage of the single calci-D tablet was stronger in certain respects. Moreover, the ‘common’ side effects of the latter were ‘joint pains’ whereas there were none for the former.
Rather than book a GP’s appointment we prepared a note addressed to the GP outlining the issue succinctly and asking if she could revert to the Adcal-D3. OH handed the note to the receptionist. The reaction: ‘Oh we have had to change a lot of medications recently and rest assured they’re exactly the same.’ OH politely disputed this and asked if the note could nevertheless be handed to the GP. She agreed, reluctantly, but said she would book an appointment to see him anyway.
We thought that by preparing a considered statement of the issue we could possibly avoid wasting the GP’s time which could be better used for others. It gives the GP the opportunity to think about the issue rather than it coming out of the blue in a busy surgery. He could either then simply do as OH had requested, relay a satisfactory answer back to OH or ask to see her to discuss the matter if it wasn’t straightforward.
We get on very well with our GPs and the receptionists generally and we never have problems booking appointments. So what was the problem with the way we tried to handle this particular issue? Do the surgery’s get a bonus for every appointment they make? It was even rumoured that the tablets, now from a different supplier, were cheaper. Is that a problem for the surgery? Appreciate any comments.

[bednobs]

hi, i think an appointment probably is the way to go. the tablets probably are cheaper and the NHS does this all the time - changes people to an alternative that is cheaper as huge savings can be made across a population. In my experience they usually either discuss it or write to people but clearly this didnt happen in this case.
is there any chance of her trying them again while you wait for the appt, in case it wasn't the tablets but something else totally unrelated?

[Arrods]

Thanks bednobs for taking the trouble to answer. In fact, OH has enough of the 'old' tablets to see her through to the appointment, so trying the 'new' ones doesn't really appeal, especially as the pain was excruciating. (We were away on a month's holiday.)

Also, as I say, the dosages are different. So we'll await to see the doctor. Thanks again for your comments.