Discontinued Operations - Related Party Transaction (Details) (FineTech Laboratories, Ltd. [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
FineTech Laboratories, Ltd. [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Discontinued operation, tax benefit recognized related to reversal of certain contingent tax liabilities	$ 20,000

Discontinued Operation, Tax Effect of Discontinued Operation, Reversal of Certain Contingent Tax Liabilities

No definition available.

Name:	prx_DiscontinuedOperationTaxEffectOfDiscontinuedOperationReversalOfCertainContingentTaxLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	prx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration