Consolidated Condensed Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 118,399	$ 76,184
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	50,504	49,791
Equity compensation expense	15,332	13,728
Loss (income) from equity investment, net of taxes	(9,712)	5,403
Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes	(4,878)	221
Impairment of investments	18,627
Net (gain) loss on sale of investments	425	(3,291)
Other	(1,162)	2,382
Net change in operating assets and liabilities	(36,793)	24,953
Net cash provided by operating activities	150,742	169,371
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(61,703)	(41,295)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	67	98
Proceeds from sale of business		3,464
Purchases of investments	(1,527)	(46,590)
Maturities and sales of investments	91,801	109,294
Purchases of other investments	(8,017)	(7,893)
Proceeds from sale of other investments	539	3,339
Net cash paid for acquisitions	(7,936)	(10,169)
Changes in restricted cash	7,936	3,000
Advances to related party	(7,550)	(7,700)
Net cash provided by investing activities	13,610	5,548
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and employee stock purchase plan	31,477	11,387
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options and disqualifying dispositions of stock	1,236	197
Cash and cash equivalents contributed to Furiex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.		(100,000)
Repurchase of common stock	(200,000)
Cash dividends paid	(52,821)	(53,423)
Net cash used in financing activities	(220,108)	(141,839)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(7,072)	(1,541)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(62,828)	31,539
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period	479,574	408,903
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	$ 416,746	$ 440,442