Shareholders' Equity (Summary Of Change In Shareholders' Equity) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Shareholders' Equity [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 3,504,782	$ 3,615,401
Net earnings	129,427	104,545
Other comprehensive earnings	116,716	166,537
Stock option activity	17,182	23,143
Stock compensation expense	12,303	10,257
Issuance of restricted stock, net of shares withheld	(4,983)	(4,929)
Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interest	(34)	(1,852)
Tax benefit of stock option plans	3,796	3,626
Other	166	247
Ending balance	3,779,355	3,916,975
Total Mylan Inc. Shareholders' Equity [Member]
Shareholders' Equity [Line Items]
Beginning balance	3,491,775	3,601,879
Net earnings	129,079	104,175
Other comprehensive earnings	116,716	166,537
Stock option activity	17,182	23,143
Stock compensation expense	12,303	10,257
Issuance of restricted stock, net of shares withheld	(4,983)	(4,929)
Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interest	(9)	(971)
Tax benefit of stock option plans	3,796	3,626
Other
Ending balance	3,765,859	3,903,717
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Shareholders' Equity [Line Items]
Beginning balance	13,007	13,522
Net earnings	348	370
Other comprehensive earnings
Stock option activity
Stock compensation expense
Issuance of restricted stock, net of shares withheld
Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interest	(25)	(881)
Tax benefit of stock option plans
Other	166	247
Ending balance	$ 13,496	$ 13,258