This is somewhat similar to developing new semiconductor processes or CPU architectures. It costs a ton in R&D but once taped out, the individual cost is relatively small.

However, as in semis, the developer manufacturer will also look at what the market will bear. And things are complicated in pharma by copy-cats and gov'ts who understandably look the other way when a manufacturer undercuts the original manufacturer/license holder... So they, the orig drugmakers, kind of make up this shortfall in economies where the market will bear higher prices, so, in essence, developed countries subsidize the pharma costs of developing economies. And perhaps that's not so bad, given the comparative resources.