Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Beginning balance			$ 3,615,401	$ 3,145,198
Net earnings (loss)	146,986	86,933	251,531	181,203
Other comprehensive earnings (loss)	115,846	(274,163)	282,383	(329,164)
Common stock share repurchase			(349,998)
Dividends paid on preferred stock		(34,759)		(69,518)
Stock option activity			61,166	36,007
Stock compensation expense			21,198	15,617
Issuance of restricted stock, net of shares withheld			(4,991)
Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interest			(4,992)	(4,999)
Tax benefit of stock option plans			9,118	3,310
Other			169	1,302
Ending balance	3,880,985	2,978,956	3,880,985	2,978,956
Total Mylan Inc. Shareholders' Equity [Member]
Beginning balance			3,601,879	3,131,146
Net earnings (loss)			250,621	182,084
Other comprehensive earnings (loss)			282,383	(329,164)
Common stock share repurchase			(349,998)
Dividends paid on preferred stock				(69,518)
Stock option activity			61,166	36,007
Stock compensation expense			21,198	15,617
Issuance of restricted stock, net of shares withheld			(4,991)
Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interest			(2,607)	(4,376)
Tax benefit of stock option plans			9,118	3,310
Other				1,578
Ending balance	3,868,769	2,966,684	3,868,769	2,966,684
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Beginning balance			13,522	14,052
Net earnings (loss)			910	(881)
Other comprehensive earnings (loss)
Common stock share repurchase
Dividends paid on preferred stock
Stock option activity
Stock compensation expense
Issuance of restricted stock, net of shares withheld
Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interest			(2,385)	(623)
Tax benefit of stock option plans
Other			169	(276)
Ending balance	$ 12,216	$ 12,272	$ 12,216	$ 12,272