Segment Information Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,525,003	$ 1,593,068
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	33,722	32,461
Litigation And Other Professional Fees	(22,619)	(7,203)
Other Miscellaneous charges net of Repack matters COS	(4,006)	(11,512)
Operating Income (Loss)	118,147	124,830
Long Term Care Group [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1,155,146	1,296,255
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	(18,150)	(16,634)
Litigation And Other Professional Fees	(22,619)	(7,203)
Other Miscellaneous charges net of Repack matters COS	(2,752)	(9,012)
Operating Income (Loss)	129,699	137,979
specialty care group [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	369,226	293,260
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	(2,716)	(3,976)
Litigation And Other Professional Fees	0	0
Other Miscellaneous charges net of Repack matters COS	0	0
Operating Income (Loss)	37,995	30,149
Corporate/Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	631	3,553
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	(12,856)	(11,851)
Litigation And Other Professional Fees	0	0
Other Miscellaneous charges net of Repack matters COS	(1,254)	(2,500)
Operating Income (Loss)	$ (49,547)	$ (43,298)