Balance human suffering with the economic realities

Poor countries assert that patented drugs are too expensive for most of their people to afford. The issue becomes especially noteworthy over drugs for AIDS sufferers in Africa. Monthly drug expenses are above total income levels. Countries have been changing their drug laws to eliminate patent rights in certain cases.

How do you balance human suffering with the economic realities? Do drug companies have an ethical duty to sell their products for the lowest price? Should countries abolish the patent protection for drugs? Support your answer with examples and arguments?