Shareholders' Equity (Summary Of Change In Shareholders' Equity) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			9 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 Total Mylan Inc. Shareholders' Equity	Sep. 30, 2011 Total Mylan Inc. Shareholders' Equity	Dec. 31, 2011 Total Mylan Inc. Shareholders' Equity	Dec. 31, 2010 Total Mylan Inc. Shareholders' Equity	Sep. 30, 2012 Noncontrolling Interest	Sep. 30, 2011 Noncontrolling Interest	Dec. 31, 2011 Noncontrolling Interest	Dec. 31, 2010 Noncontrolling Interest
Shareholders' equity, beginning balance			$ 3,504,782	$ 3,615,401
Net earnings	212,039	157,378	480,602	408,909		478,886	407,319			1,716	1,590
Other comprehensive earnings (loss)	177,061	(410,380)	52,026	(127,997)		52,026	(127,997)			0	0
Common stock share repurchase			(499,953)	(349,998)		(499,953)	(349,998)			0	0
Warrant amendment and exchange				(149,947)			(149,947)				0
Stock option activity			52,482	65,035		52,482	65,035			0	0
Stock compensation expense			32,099	32,803		32,099	32,803			0	0
Issuance of restricted stock, net of shares withheld			(5,041)	(6,093)		(5,041)	(6,093)			0	0
Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interest			(34)	(4,992)		(9)	(2,607)			(25)	(2,385)
Tax benefit of stock option plans			7,226	11,163		7,226	11,163			0	0
Other			(47)	(147)		0	0			47	(147)
Shareholders' equity attributable to Mylan Inc.						3,609,491	3,481,557	3,491,775	3,601,879
Shareholders' equity, ending balance	3,624,236	3,494,137	3,624,236	3,494,137
Shareholders' equity attributable to noncontrolling interest	$ 14,745		$ 14,745		$ 13,007					$ 14,745	$ 12,580	$ 13,007	$ 13,522