Financial Instruments (Interest Rate and Credit Risks) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 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%
Government-owned or Supported Healthcare Providers \| Italy
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts receivable received	52.2
Government-owned or Supported Healthcare Providers \| Spain
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts receivable received	82.8
Shire 2.75% Convertible Bond due 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	$ 1,100
Stated interest rate	2.75%

Average interest rate received on cash and liquid investments.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Percentage of revenues for the major customers in the USA over total revenues to consolidated external customers.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

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.

+ References

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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

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- Definition

Interest rate stated in the contractual debt agreement.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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- Definition

Cash receipts from customers during the current period which are usually for sales of goods and services.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 27

-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 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 25

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3536-108585

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