CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 126,540	$ 123,335	$ 75,951
(Gain) loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax benefit	(19,583)	27,048	18,795
Income from continuing operations	106,957	150,383	94,746
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	32,609	28,069	27,886
Defined Benefit Plan Amortization Of Prior Service Cost Credit	2,797	0	0
Gain on sale of product rights	0	0	(350)
Gain on sale of Medicis Pediatrics	0	0	(2,915)
Adjustment to impairment of available-for-sale investments	0	260	(33)
Charge reducing value of investment in Revance	0	0	2,886
Gain on sale of available-for-sale investments, net	107	909	(1,576)
Unrealized gain on supplemental executive retirement plan investments	(49)	0	0
Share-based compensation expense	23,466	16,273	17,997
Deferred income tax benefit	(9,160)	12,169	(8,749)
Tax expense from exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock awards	2,225	(185)	(925)
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements	(3,330)	(462)	(241)
Increase Decrease Provision For Sales Discounts And Chargebacks	2,206	1,133	1,129
Accretion (amortization) of premium/(discount) on investments	3,514	3,249	3,273
Impairment of intangible assets	16,509	2,293	0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(64,593)	(36,944)	(43,715)
Inventories	4,133	(12,509)	(893)
Other current assets	(4,890)	1,010	3,076
Accounts payable	13,079	(623)	5,362
Reserve for sales returns	(668)	12,630	(11,549)
Income taxes payable	(4,628)	(11,168)	16,679
Other current liabilities	(8,212)	2,381	18,041
Other liabilities	6,143	(4,835)	(6,019)
Accrued consumer rebate and loyalty programs	38,270	28,367	44,863
Managed care and Medicaid reserves	23,426	2,297	30,122
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations	179,911	194,697	189,095
Net Cash Used In Operating Activities From Discontinued Operations	(7,787)	(12,372)	(10,961)
Net cash provided by operating activities	172,124	182,325	178,134
Investing Activities:
Purchase of property and equipment	(6,179)	(7,309)	(4,309)
Equity investment in an unconsolidated entity	(2,900)	0	(616)
Purchase of assets of Graceway	(455,930)	0	0
Payments for purchase of product rights	(12,989)	568	(88,861)
Proceeds from sale of product rights	0	0	350
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary	35,531	0	70,294
Purchase of investments for supplemental executive retirement plan	(9,840)	0	0
Purchase of available-for-sale investments	(691,170)	(498,138)	(414,527)
Sale of available-for-sale investments	571,565	205,364	131,914
Maturity of available-for-sale investments	337,902	128,683	244,553
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities from continuing operations	(234,010)	(170,832)	(61,202)
Net cash used in investing activities from discontinued operations	0	(1,458)	(1,030)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(234,010)	(172,290)	(62,232)
Financing Activities
Payment of dividends	(18,608)	(13,210)	(9,411)
Payments for the repurchase of common stock	(150,086)	0	0
Withholding of common shares for tax obligations on vested restricted stock awards	(6,543)	(3,440)	(883)
Excess tax benefits from share based payment arrangements	3,330	462	241
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	58,215	16,322	16,123
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(113,692)	134	6,070
Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash And Cash Equivalents	39	252	(11)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(175,539)	10,421	121,961
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	218,362	207,941	85,980
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 42,823	$ 218,362	$ 207,941