In the extent literature, availability of critical regional and technology-based
factors have been recognized as the constituents of learning region which in turn
lead to the rising performance of enterprises located in the region. These regional
factors subsume sub-national policies, vertical industries, knowledge institution,
skill, demand and infrastructural factors. Pharmaceutical industry is one of the
knowledge-intensive industries, which is theoretically believed to be performed better
in a learning region. The present study takes into account two Indian states namely,
Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh and describes the status of pharmaceutical industry
in the light of learning region. The descriptive explanation based on time series data
for the last two decades revealed that the rising trends of pharmaceutical industry in
the state of Himachal Pradesh, sourced by the conducive policy supports, rising share
of chemical industry, rising enrolements in higher education and availability of good
infrastructure. On the other hand, despite encompassing considerable infrastructure,
skilled labour, knowledge and demand, Gujarat has reported constant or marginally
declining trends of pharmaceutical industry, in terms of number of units, output and
employment during last decade.