Segment Information (Schedule Of Financial Data For Two Business Segments) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									$ 926,138	$ 1,008,874	$ 1,193,159
Total gross margin	92,962	85,104	99,026	109,652	95,268	103,294	91,459	83,510	386,744	373,531	333,953
Total operating (loss) income	30,431	39,732	17,807	(138,563)	24,823	40,614	24,148	43,336	(50,593)	132,921	131,470
Gain on bargain purchase											3,021
Loss on extinguishment of senior subordinated convertible notes											(2,598)
Gain (Loss) on marketable securities and other investments, net									237	3,459	(55)
Interest income									736	1,257	2,658
Interest expense									(2,676)	(2,905)	(8,013)
(Benefit) provision for income taxes									(5,996)	41,980	48,883
(Loss) income from continuing operations	31,309	22,055	9,180	(108,844)	17,630	30,661	18,035	26,426	(46,300)	92,752	77,600
Par Pharmaceutical [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									834,592	916,930	1,104,295
Total gross margin									320,313	305,716	267,830
Total operating (loss) income									(10,973)	169,882	163,186
Strativa [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									91,546	91,944	88,864
Total gross margin									66,431	67,815	66,123
Total operating (loss) income									$ (39,620)	$ (36,961)	$ (31,716)