Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,625,500	$ 9,883,777
Short-term marketable securities	82,044	16,491
Accounts receivable, net	1,702,818	1,951,167
Inventories	1,603,401	1,389,983
Deferred tax assets	213,448	208,155
Prepaid taxes	306,256	246,444
Prepaid expenses	83,732	95,922
Other current assets	226,903	126,846
Total current assets	5,844,102	13,918,785
Property, plant and equipment, net	811,799	774,406
Noncurrent portion of prepaid royalties	164,263	174,584
Noncurrent deferred tax assets	116,263	144,015
Long-term marketable securities	564,130	63,704
Total Intangible Assets	11,751,191	1,062,864
Goodwill	1,078,919	1,004,102
Other noncurrent assets	171,283	160,674
Total assets	20,501,950	17,303,134
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Accounts payable	1,367,353	1,206,052
Accrued government rebates	771,827	547,473
Accrued compensation and employee benefits	144,834	173,316
Income taxes payable	11,847	40,583
Other accrued liabilities	624,337	471,129
Deferred revenues	93,660	74,665
Current portion of long-term debt and other obligations, net	1,972,816	1,572
Total current liabilities	4,986,674	2,514,790
Long-term deferred revenues	23,662	31,870
Long-term debt, net	7,126,377	7,605,734
Long-term income taxes payable	126,655	135,655
Other long-term obligations	155,195	147,736
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share; 5,000 shares authorized; none outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value $0.001 per share; 2,800,000 shares authorized; 756,153 and 753,106 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	756	753
Additional paid-in capital	5,213,910	4,903,143
Accumulated other comprehensive income	124,377	58,200
Retained earnings	2,663,077	1,776,760
Total Gilead stockholders' equity	8,002,120	6,738,856
Noncontrolling interest	81,267	128,493
Total stockholders' equity	8,083,387	6,867,349
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 20,501,950	$ 17,303,134