Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets (Changes In Carrying Amount Of Goodwill) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	$ 3,984,334	$ 3,716,247
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(385,000)	(385,000)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	3,599,334	3,331,247
Goodwill acquired	1,138	212,749	[1]
Foreign currency translation and other	(82,537)	55,338
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	3,902,935	3,984,334
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(385,000)	(385,000)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	3,517,935	3,599,334
Generics Segment [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	3,277,827	3,009,740
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	3,277,827	3,009,740
Goodwill acquired	1,138	212,749	[1]
Foreign currency translation and other	(82,537)	55,338
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	3,196,428	3,277,827
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance
Goodwill, net, ending balance	3,196,428	3,277,827
Specialty Segment [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross, beginning balance	706,507	706,507
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(385,000)	(385,000)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	321,507	321,507
Foreign currency translation and other
Goodwill, gross, ending balance	706,507	706,507
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(385,000)	(385,000)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	$ 321,507	$ 321,507

[1] Goodwill acquired primarily through the acquisition of Bioniche Pharma (see Note 3).