Long-term Debt	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Long-term Debt, Unclassified [Abstract]
Long-term Debt Disclosure	9. Long-term debt Shire 2.75% Convertible Bonds due 2014 On May 9, 2007 Shire issued $1,100 million in principal amount of 2.75% convertible bonds due 2014 and convertible into fully paid ordinary shares of Shire plc (the “Bonds”). The Bonds were issued at 100% of their principal amount, and will be redeemed on May 9, 2014 (the “Final Maturity Date”) unless purchased and cancelled, redeemed (for example on the occurrence of a change of control of Shire) or converted prior to that date, at their principal amount. On April 9, 2012 the deadline for Bondholders to choose to exercise their Put Option on May 9, 2012 passed. No elections from the Bondholders were received by this date and the Bonds are now due on the Final Maturity Date, subject to the exceptions above. As the Company is no longer required to redeem the Bonds within twelve months of the balance sheet date, the Bonds have been presented as a non-current liability at March 31, 2012.

Long-term Debt

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Long-term Debt, Unclassified [Abstract]

9. Long-term debt

Shire 2.75% Convertible Bonds due 2014

On May 9, 2007 Shire issued $1,100 million in principal amount of 2.75% convertible bonds due 2014 and convertible into fully paid ordinary shares of Shire plc (the “Bonds”). The Bonds were issued at 100% of their principal amount, and will be redeemed on May 9, 2014 (the “Final Maturity Date”) unless purchased and cancelled, redeemed (for example on the occurrence of a change of control of Shire) or converted prior to that date, at their principal amount.

On April 9, 2012 the deadline for Bondholders to choose to exercise their Put Option on May 9, 2012 passed. No elections from the Bondholders were received by this date and the Bonds are now due on the Final Maturity Date, subject to the exceptions above. As the Company is no longer required to redeem the Bonds within twelve months of the balance sheet date, the Bonds have been presented as a non-current liability at March 31, 2012.