Business Combinations (Pro Forma Information) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information
Business Acquisition Pro Forma Information Description	The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents the combined results of the operations of Shire and ABH as if the acquisition of ABH had occurred at January 1, 2010.
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Data Adjustments
Pro Forma Data Adjustments, Amortization of Intangible Asset, Increase	$ 20.0	$ 20.0
ProForma Date Adjustments Fair Value Change In Preferred Stock Warrants	49.9	9.8
Shire and ABH combined Member
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information
Pro Forma Revenue	2,125.3	1,730.1
Pro Forma Net Income Attributable to Shire plc	401.6	313.6
Pro Forma Net Income Attributable to Shire plc, Per Share, Basic	$ 0.729	$ 0.575
Pro Forma Net Income Attributable to Shire plc, Per Share, Diluted	$ 0.703	$ 0.561
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Data Adjustments
Pro Forma Data Adjustments, Interest Income, Decrease	1.4	1.5
Pro Forma Data Adjustments, Amortization of Intangible Asset, Increase	49.9	9.8
ProForma Date Adjustments, Acquisition and Integration Costs, Decrease	$ (23.9)	$ 6.9

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A pro forma adjustment to increase amortization of an acquired intangible asset resulting from an assumed earlier acquisition date.

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A pro forma adjustment to decrease interest income resulting from an assumed accelerated outflow of cash to effect the acquisition.

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The pro forma net Income or Loss for the period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

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The pro forma revenue for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of the period.

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An adjustment to decrease net income to reflect the acquisition and integration costs incurred in relation to the acquisition

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An adjustment to net income to eliminate the income statement effect of changes in the fair value of preferred stock warrants

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- Definition

The pro forma basic net income per share for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141R
-Paragraph 68
-Subparagraph r(2, 3)

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141
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The pro forma diluted net income per share for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period

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Description of the pro forma information, nature of adjustments made to historical information to arrive at pro forma amounts, amounts excluded from pro forma information, any material-nonrecurring items included in the pro forma information and limitations of pro forma disclosures.

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