Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings Per Share
Income from continuing operations, net of taxes	$ 515.8		$ 301.1		$ 1,297.2		$ 873.0
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	(36.1)		(22.9)		(64.0)		(271.9)
Net income	479.7		278.2		1,233.2		601.1
Interest on convertible bonds, net of tax (in USD)	0		7.6		0		22.7
Numerator for diluted earnings per share (in USD)	$ 479.7		$ 285.8		$ 1,233.2		$ 623.8
Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Shares
Basic (in shares)	587.6	[1]	548.4	[1]	586.1	[1]	549.8	[1]
Effect of dilutive shares:
Share based awards to employees	5.0	[2]	3.5	[2]	6.0	[2]	3.9	[2]
Convertible bonds 2.75% due 2014	0	[3]	33.8	[3]	0	[3]	33.8	[3]
Diluted (in shares)	592.6		585.7		592.1		587.5
Share Awards
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	0.3	[4]	0.5	[4]	0.3	[4]	4.5	[4]

[1] Excludes shares purchased by the EBT and presented by Shire as treasury stock

[2] . Calculated using the treasury stock method

[3] Calculated using the “if converted” method

[4] Certain stock options have been excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS because (a) their exercise prices exceeded Shire plc’s average share price during the calculation period or (b) the required performance conditions were not satisfied as at the balance sheet date.