FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended						3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended					12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012 Suncare and skincare brands	Dec. 31, 2012 Dermaglow	Dec. 31, 2012 Acquisition-related contingent consideration Elidel and Xerese	Dec. 31, 2012 Acquired IPR&D	Sep. 30, 2012 Acquired IPR&D U.S. Dermatology	Jun. 30, 2012 Acquired IPR&D U.S. Dermatology	Dec. 31, 2012 Acquired IPR&D U.S. Dermatology and U.S. Neurology and Other	Dec. 31, 2011 Acquired IPR&D U.S. Dermatology and U.S. Neurology and Other	Dec. 31, 2011 Asset related to A002 program Acquisition-related contingent consideration	Dec. 31, 2012 iNova	Dec. 31, 2012 iNova Acquisition-related contingent consideration	Dec. 31, 2012 Aton Pharma, Inc. ("Aton") Acquisition-related contingent consideration	Dec. 31, 2012 Aton Pharma, Inc. ("Aton") Acquired IPR&D	Dec. 31, 2011 Pharma Swiss	Dec. 31, 2011 Pharma Swiss Acquisition-related contingent consideration	Dec. 31, 2011 Clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide gel ("IDP-111")	Dec. 31, 2012 Clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide gel ("IDP-111")	Dec. 31, 2011 Fluorouracil cream ("5-FU")	Dec. 31, 2012 Fluorouracil cream ("5-FU")	Dec. 31, 2012 Recurring basis Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)	Dec. 31, 2011 Recurring basis Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Reconciliation of contingent consideration obligations and the auction rate securities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs
Balance, beginning of year																						$ (420,084,000)	$ (20,220,000)
Total unrealized gains included in net income (loss), arising during year																						5,266,000	10,986,000
Total unrealized gains included in other comprehensive income (loss), arising during year																						(784,000)	831,000
Acquisition-related contingent consideration issuances																						(145,728,000)	(443,481,000)
Acquisition-related contingent consideration payments	103,926,000	31,800,000																				106,248,000	31,800,000
Balance, end of year																						(455,082,000)	(420,084,000)
Acquisition-related contingent consideration	5,266,000	10,986,000										(10,300,000)		5,266,000		(13,200,000)						5,300,000	11,000,000
Impairment charges on intangible assets			31,300,000	18,700,000		24,700,000	133,400,000	4,300,000	24,700,000	105,200,000								7,900,000		19,800,000
Adjusted carrying value of intangible assets	8,761,793,000	7,110,174,000	60,500,000	2,200,000															54,400,000		14,800,000
Adjusted carrying value of IPR&D						8,800,000									12,600,000
Impairment charges included an allocation of goodwill			12,800,000
Assets held for sale	90,983,000	72,239,000
Net Unrealized (Loss) Gain					$ (6,500,000)						$ 9,400,000		$ 10,300,000				$ 13,200,000