Segment Information (Schedule Of Financial Data For Two Business Segments) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 294,333	$ 224,188	$ 565,805	$ 457,140
Total gross margin	143,154	99,026	241,000	208,679
Total operating loss	82,771	17,807	61,558	(120,755)
Interest income	140	382	276	805
Interest expense	(3,069)	(150)	(6,163)	(301)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	28,537	8,859	33,062	(20,587)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	51,305	9,180	22,609	(99,664)
Par Pharmaceutical [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	273,109	202,449	524,276	412,193
Total gross margin	127,121	83,994	209,571	176,554
Total operating loss	81,408	51,845	105,456	(80,901)
Strativa [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	21,224	21,739	41,529	44,947
Total gross margin	16,033	15,032	31,429	32,125
Total operating loss	$ 1,363	$ (34,038)	$ (43,898)	$ (39,854)