CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS UNAUDITED (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 135,856	$ 55,741
Loss from discontinued operations	0	67,479
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation expense	38,256	35,544
Amortization expense	63,377	61,782
Debt redemption tender premium	47,558	(10,884)
Other operating activities	47,468	16,049
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisition and divestiture of businesses:
Accounts receivable and unbilled receivables, net of provision for doubtful accounts	31,433	76,645
Inventories	82,786	65,950
Other current and noncurrent assets	65,341	104,030
Accounts payable	(95,172)	(24,395)
Net cash flows from operating activities of continuing operations	416,903	447,941
Net cash flows from operating activities of discontinued operations	0	869
Net cash flows from operating activities	416,903	448,810
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash received	(34,411)	(101,844)
Divestiture of businesses, net	19,207	10,599
Capital expenditures	(71,433)	(39,080)
Payments to Acquire Marketable Securities	(25,000)	0
Other	1,348	(2,812)
Net cash flows used in investing activities of continuing operations	(110,289)	(133,137)
Net cash flows used in investing activities of discontinued operations	0	(567)
Net cash flows used in investing activities	(110,289)	(133,704)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on Term Loans	(19,375)	0
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt	425,000	600,000
Payments on long-term borrowings and obligations	(452,302)	(626,921)
Option indexed to issuers equity cash paid	(48,126)	0
Payments for Omnicare common stock repurchase (Note 2)	(110,919)	(120,114)
Dividends paid	(30,765)	(12,745)
Other	(2,981)	30,135
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities	(239,468)	(129,645)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	67,146	185,461
Less increase in cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations	0	302
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations	67,146	185,159
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	580,262	494,484
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 647,408	$ 679,643