Contingencies - Fosamax Litigation - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended					9 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 legalmatter	Jul. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2014 legalmatter	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($) legalmatter	Sep. 30, 2016 legalmatter	Jul. 31, 2015 legalmatter	Nov. 30, 2013 legalmatter
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Settlement agreement amount for (against) the company | $	$ 200.0
Fosamax
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency, pending claims, number (in legal matters)						4,310
Fosamax | Federal
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency, pending claims, number (in legal matters)						3
Loss contingency, claims dismissed, number (in legal matters)		540		650		540
Loss contingency, claims on appeal, number (in legal matters)						515
Fosamax | New Jersey
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency, pending claims, number (in legal matters)						2,940
Loss contingency, initial cases selected for review, number (in legal matters)						30
Loss contingency, subsequent cases selected for review, number (in legal matters)				50			25	50
Fosamax | California State Court
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency, pending claims, number (in legal matters)						285
Loss contingency, initial cases selected for review, number (in legal matters)				10
Fosamax | Other State Court
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency, pending claims, number (in legal matters)						5
Fosamax | ONJ Litigation
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency, pending claims, number (in legal matters)						20
Settlement agreement amount for (against) the company | $			$ (27.3)		$ (27.7)
Number of claims settled (in legal matters)					1,200
Percentage of participation in litigation settlement			95.00%
Fosamax | Femur Fracture Litigation
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency, pending claims, number (in legal matters)						4,290