Contingencies (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013 Case Lawsuit Defendant Plaintiff Subpoena Action County Entity
Contingencies [Abstract]
Circuit number of Court of Appeals	Seventh
Number of New York counties that brought state court actions against the company	3
Number of federal actions filed against the company	3
Number of federal actions filed against the company purported as nationwide class actions	2
Number of federal actions filed against the company purported as California-wide class action	1
Number of actions filed against the company as defendant pending in the Missouri Circuit Court	2
Judicial Circuit number of Missouri Circuit Court	Twenty-Second
Number of entities that brought action against the company who purchased or reimbursed certain purchases of Celexa or Lexapro	2
Product liability contingency active lawsuits	161
Number of active product liability lawsuits alleging Celexa or Lexapro caused or contributed to individuals committing or attempting suicide, or caused a violent event	14
Number of active product liability lawsuits alleging Celexa or Lexapro caused various birth defects	146
Remaining number of cases to be remanded in near future in federal district court	12
Number of cases filed in Superior Court of New Jersey	16
Number of cases filed in Superior Court of Atlantic County	10
Number of cases filed in Superior Court of Hudson County	6
Amount of insurance product liability coverage	$ 140
Number of subpoenas related to Office of the Attorney General of the State of Delaware request for documents	2
Number of defendant groups with which settlement agreements have been entered into associated with the generic versions of Bystolic	4
Initial number of defendant groups in patent infringement litigation associated with the generic versions of Bystolic	6
Number of additional plaintiffs after first amendment of complaint	6
Number of additional plaintiffs after second amendment of complaint	1