Retirement Benefits (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Contributions to personal defined contribution pension plans	$ 44.4	$ 31.8	$ 27.9

Amount of discretionary contributions made by an employer to a defined contribution plan.

No definition available.

Name:	shpgf_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerDiscretionaryContributionAmount
Namespace Prefix:	shpgf_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration