Segment Information (Net Revenues Classified Based On Therapeutic Product Categories) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Product Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	$ 6,106,277		$ 5,404,266		$ 5,015,394
Allergy [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	476,990		343,138		238,050
Anti-Infective Agents [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	1,005,278		783,738		600,807
Cardiovascular [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	1,037,644		967,680		866,411
Central Nervous System [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	1,214,046		1,248,982		1,428,142
Endocrine And Metabolic [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	535,383		433,341		399,620
Gastrointestinal [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	492,683		462,088		401,448
Respiratory Agents [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	250,692		248,452		288,966
Other [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	$ 1,093,561	[1]	$ 916,847	[1]	$ 791,950	[1]

[1] Other consists of numerous therapeutic classes, none of which individually exceeds 5% of consolidated net revenues.