Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Beginning balance	$ 624.9		$ 408.1		$ 273.6
Provision charged to income	1,234.9	[1]	743.4	[1]	710.8	[1]
Costs incurred/utilization	(1,150.3)	[1]	(526.6)	[1]	(576.3)	[1]
Ending balance	709.5		624.9		408.1
Accrued rebates - Medicaid and HMOs
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Beginning balance	549.9		341.6		222.5
Provision charged to income	1,123.2	[1]	711.0	[1]	630.8	[1]
Costs incurred/utilization	(1,060.5)	[1]	(502.7)	[1]	(511.7)	[1]
Ending balance	612.6		549.9		341.6
Sales returns reserve
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Beginning balance	69.8		62.7		47.1
Provision charged to income	51.2	[1]	30.8	[1]	41.4	[1]
Costs incurred/utilization	(32.2)	[1]	(23.7)	[1]	(25.8)	[1]
Ending balance	88.8		69.8		62.7
Accrued coupons
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Beginning balance	5.2		3.8		4.0
Provision charged to income	60.5	[1]	1.6	[1]	38.6	[1]
Costs incurred/utilization	(57.6)	[1]	(0.2)	[1]	(38.8)	[1]
Ending balance	$ 8.1		$ 5.2		$ 3.8

[1] In the analysis above, due to systems limitations, it is not practical and has not been necessary to break out current versus prior year activity. When applicable, Shire has performed general ledger reviews of sales deduction provisions charged to income, and the utilization of these provisions in subsequent years. Shire has determined that adjustments made in each year as a result of changes to estimates that related to prior year sales, and adjustments made as a result of differences between prior period provisions and actual payments, did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial performance or position either in each individual year, or in the Company’s performance over the reported period.