Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016
Basis of preparation	(a) Basis of Presentation These interim financial statements of Shire plc and its subsidiaries (collectively “Shire” or the “Company”) are unaudited. They have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“US GAAP”). The balance sheet as of December 31, 2015 was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by US GAAP. These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP have been condensed or omitted from these interim financial statements. However, these interim financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to fairly state the results of the interim period and the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year.
Use of estimates in consolidated financial statements	(b) Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with US GAAP, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, equity, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Estimates and assumptions are primarily made in relation to the valuation of intangible assets, sales deductions, income taxes (including provisions for uncertain tax positions and the realization of deferred tax assets), provisions for litigation and legal proceedings, contingent consideration receivable from product divestments and contingent consideration payable in respect of business combinations and asset purchases. On an on-going basis the Company evaluates its estimates, judgments and methodologies. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
New accounting pronouncements	(c) New Accounting Pronouncements From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) or other standard setting bodies that the Company adopts as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, the Company does not believe that the impact of recently issued standards that are not yet effective will have a material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations upon adoption. Adopted during the current period Reporting requirements for development stage entities In June 2014 the FASB simplified the existing guidance for development stage entities by removing all incremental financial reporting requirements and the exception available for development stage entities when determining whether the development stage entity is a variable interest entity. The elimination of the exception may change the consolidation analysis, consolidation decision, and disclosure requirements for a reporting entity that has an interest in an entity in the development stage. Shire adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2016. The adoption of this guidance did not impact the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Debt Issuance Costs In April 2015, the FASB issued a new standard that requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. In August 2015, the FASB issued additional guidance which clarified that debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements can be presented in the balance sheet as an asset and amortized over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs were not affected by these amendments. Shire adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2016 with retroactive application. The Short-term borrowings and Long-term borrowings line items in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and related footnote disclosures for all periods presented have been adjusted. The adoption of this guidance did not impact the Company's results of operations or cash flows. Cloud Computing Arrangement In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance to simplify the accounting for fees paid in a cloud computing arrangement. Under the standard, if a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then the software license element of the arrangement should be accounted for consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the arrangement should be accounted for as a service contract. Shire adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2016 with prospective application. The adoption of this guidance did not impact the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Measurement-Period Adjustments In September 2015 the FASB issued guidance to simplify the accounting for adjustments related to business combinations arising within one year of the acquisition. The new standard requires that an acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined and record the effect on earnings of those changes as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date, and sets forth new disclosure requirements related to the adjustments. Shire adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2016 with prospective application. The adoption of this guidance did not impact the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. To be adopted in future periods Revenue from Contracts with Customers In May 2014 the FASB issued new accounting guidance for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers. This new standard supersedes all existing revenue recognition requirements, including most industry-specific guidance. The new standard requires a company to recognize revenue when it transfers goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that the company expects to receive for those goods or services. The new standard also requires additional qualitative and quantitative disclosures. In August 2015, the FASB issued additional guidance that delayed the effective date of the new standard from January 1, 2017 to January 1, 2018. The FASB also agreed to allow entities to choose to adopt the standard as of the original effective date. In March 2016, the FASB issued additional guidance on when and how much revenue to recognize when another party (an agent), along with the entity, is involved in providing a good or a service to a customer. In April 2016, the FASB issued additional guidance on accounting for licenses of intellectual property and identifying performance obligations. The Company is currently evaluating the method of adoption and the potential impact on its financial position and results of operations of adopting this guidance. Leases In February 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that will require the recognition of all lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees and sets forth new disclosure requirements for those lease assets and liabilities. This standard is effective for the Company as of January 1, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact on its financial position and results of operations of adopting this guidance. Share-Based Payment Accounting In March 2016, the FASB issued an update which involves several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. These amendments are effective for the Company as of January 1, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the method of adoption and the potential impact on its financial position and results of operations of adopting this guidance.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

(a) Basis of Presentation

These interim financial statements of Shire plc and its subsidiaries (collectively “Shire” or the “Company”) are unaudited. They have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“US GAAP”).

The balance sheet as of December 31, 2015 was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by US GAAP.

These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP have been condensed or omitted from these interim financial statements. However, these interim financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to fairly state the results of the interim period and the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year.

Use of estimates in consolidated financial statements

(b) Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with US GAAP, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, equity, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Estimates and assumptions are primarily made in relation to the valuation of intangible assets, sales deductions, income taxes (including provisions for uncertain tax positions and the realization of deferred tax assets), provisions for litigation and legal proceedings, contingent consideration receivable from product divestments and contingent consideration payable in respect of business combinations and asset purchases. On an on-going basis the Company evaluates its estimates, judgments and methodologies. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

New accounting pronouncements

From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) or other standard setting bodies that the Company adopts as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, the Company does not believe that the impact of recently issued standards that are not yet effective will have a material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations upon adoption.

Adopted during the current period

Reporting requirements for development stage entities

In June 2014 the FASB simplified the existing guidance for development stage entities by removing all incremental financial reporting requirements and the exception available for development stage entities when determining whether the development stage entity is a variable interest entity. The elimination of the exception may change the consolidation analysis, consolidation decision, and disclosure requirements for a reporting entity that has an interest in an entity in the development stage. Shire adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2016. The adoption of this guidance did not impact the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Debt Issuance Costs

In April 2015, the FASB issued a new standard that requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. In August 2015, the FASB issued additional guidance which clarified that debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements can be presented in the balance sheet as an asset and amortized over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs were not affected by these amendments.

Shire adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2016 with retroactive application. The Short-term borrowings and Long-term borrowings line items in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and related footnote disclosures for all periods presented have been adjusted. The adoption of this guidance did not impact the Company's results of operations or cash flows.

Cloud Computing Arrangement

In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance to simplify the accounting for fees paid in a cloud computing arrangement. Under the standard, if a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then the software license element of the arrangement should be accounted for consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the arrangement should be accounted for as a service contract. Shire adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2016 with prospective application. The adoption of this guidance did not impact the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Measurement-Period Adjustments

In September 2015 the FASB issued guidance to simplify the accounting for adjustments related to business combinations arising within one year of the acquisition. The new standard requires that an acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined and record the effect on earnings of those changes as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date, and sets forth new disclosure requirements related to the adjustments. Shire adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2016 with prospective application. The adoption of this guidance did not impact the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

To be adopted in future periods

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

In May 2014 the FASB issued new accounting guidance for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers. This new standard supersedes all existing revenue recognition requirements, including most industry-specific guidance. The new standard requires a company to recognize revenue when it transfers goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that the company expects to receive for those goods or services. The new standard also requires additional qualitative and quantitative disclosures.

In August 2015, the FASB issued additional guidance that delayed the effective date of the new standard from January 1, 2017 to January 1, 2018. The FASB also agreed to allow entities to choose to adopt the standard as of the original effective date.

In March 2016, the FASB issued additional guidance on when and how much revenue to recognize when another party (an agent), along with the entity, is involved in providing a good or a service to a customer.

In April 2016, the FASB issued additional guidance on accounting for licenses of intellectual property and identifying performance obligations.

The Company is currently evaluating the method of adoption and the potential impact on its financial position and results of operations of adopting this guidance.

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that will require the recognition of all lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees and sets forth new disclosure requirements for those lease assets and liabilities. This standard is effective for the Company as of January 1, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact on its financial position and results of operations of adopting this guidance.

Share-Based Payment Accounting

In March 2016, the FASB issued an update which involves several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. These amendments are effective for the Company as of January 1, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the method of adoption and the potential impact on its financial position and results of operations of adopting this guidance.