INDUSTRY SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013 Segment	Mar. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments	3
REVENUES [Abstract]
Total revenues	$ 73,854,000	$ 51,717,000
Sales to customers in foreign countries	8,500,000	5,300,000
GROSS PROFIT [Abstract]
Total gross profit	39,145,000	30,901,000
Operating expenses	20,556,000	23,239,000
Operating income	18,589,000	7,662,000
Other (expense) income	(2,332,000)	(2,420,000)
Income before income taxes	16,257,000	5,242,000
Akorn India Private Limited [Member]
REVENUES [Abstract]
Sales to customers in foreign countries	5,100,000	900,000
Ophthalmic [Member]
REVENUES [Abstract]
Total revenues	25,705,000	21,811,000
GROSS PROFIT [Abstract]
Total gross profit	14,716,000	12,719,000
Hospital Drugs & Injectables [Member]
REVENUES [Abstract]
Total revenues	40,434,000	27,376,000
GROSS PROFIT [Abstract]
Total gross profit	22,814,000	17,041,000
Contract Services [Member]
REVENUES [Abstract]
Total revenues	7,715,000	2,530,000
GROSS PROFIT [Abstract]
Total gross profit	$ 1,615,000	$ 1,141,000