Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010
Third party	$ 1,575,756		$ 1,355,113		$ 4,598,590		$ 4,016,023
Intersegment
Total revenues	1,575,756		1,355,113		4,598,590		4,016,023
Segment profitability	265,908		234,318		758,053		627,410
Generics Segment [Member]
Third party	1,361,462		1,213,216		4,153,365		3,663,733
Intersegment	398		2,392		1,200		34,314
Total revenues	1,361,860		1,215,608		4,154,565		3,698,047
Segment profitability	393,985		357,393		1,214,524		1,015,980
Specialty Segment [Member]
Third party	214,294		141,897		445,225		352,290
Intersegment	17,118		13,689		51,402		47,419
Total revenues	231,412		155,586		496,627		399,709
Segment profitability	92,084		49,761		169,729		104,881
Corporate / Other [Member]
Third party				[1]				[1]
Intersegment	(17,516)	[1]	(16,081)	[1]	(52,602)	[1]	(81,733)	[1]
Total revenues	(17,516)	[1]	(16,081)	[1]	(52,602)	[1]	(81,733)	[1]
Segment profitability	$ (220,161)	[1]	$ (172,836)	[1]	$ (626,200)	[1]	$ (493,451)	[1]

[1] Includes certain corporate general and administrative and research and development expenses; net charges for litigation settlements; certain intercompany transactions, including eliminations; amortization of intangible assets and certain purchase accounting items; impairment charges, if any; and other expenses not directly attributable to segments.