Financial Instruments (Interest Rate and Credit Risks) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Interest rate risk
Average interest rate received on cash and liquid investments	less than 1% per annum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	$ 1,100
Stated interest rate	2.75%
Credit risk
Percent of the Company's product sales accounted for by three major customers in the US		49.00%
Shire 2.75% Convertible Bond due 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	$ 1,100
Stated interest rate	2.75%

The stated principal amount of the debt instrument at time of issuance, which may vary from the carrying amount because of unamortized premium or discount.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 21

-Paragraph 16, 20

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 55

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584090&loc=d3e28878-108400

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant