CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS UNAUDITED (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 86,924	$ (106,109)	$ 211,923
Loss from discontinued operations	74,608	120,573	22,772
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation expense	47,053	46,096	47,919
Amortization expense	86,079	104,450	89,763
Write Off Of Deferred Debt Issuance Cost	6,012	6,636	0
Debt redemption tender premium	(19,582)	(7,591)	0
Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment	0	22,884	0
Benefit Plan Termination and Related Costs	0	25,187	0
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt	0	25,552	0
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	99,449	198,338	135,320
Inventories	4,994	(34,676)	84,469
Other current and noncurrent assets	(120,360)	(38,966)	14,891
Accounts payable	26,351	(44,638)	(74,414)
Accrued employee compensation	1,595	21,451	(6,436)
Deferred revenue	1,135	525	(206)
Current and noncurrent liabilities	(48,488)	(71,693)	(106,162)
Net cash flows from operating activities of continuing operations	549,399	368,903	480,715
Net cash flows from operating activities of discontinued operations	623	(288)	3,079
Net cash flows from operating activities	550,022	368,615	483,794
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	62,909	22,952	90,658
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash received	(101,933)	(111,812)	(92,889)
Divestiture of business, net	13,099	0	0
Capital expenditures	(62,806)	(23,517)	(29,231)
Benefit Plan Termination and Other Related Costs	(275)	11,082	(10,547)
Other	2,874	1,259	9,979
Net cash flows used in investing activities of continuing operations	(154,789)	(125,506)	(142,646)
Net cash flows used in investing activities of discontinued operations	(622)	(546)	(2,191)
Net cash flows used in investing activities	(155,411)	(126,052)	(144,837)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on Term A loan	(5,625)	(125,000)	(275,000)
Proceeds from long term borrowings and obligations	600,000	975,000	0
Payments on long-term borrowings and obligations	(777,609)	(726,533)	(1,592)
Fees paid for financing arrangements	(13,780)	(33,249)	0
Increase (decrease) in cash overdraft balance	11,674	18,221	(637)
Proceeds (payments) for stock awards and exercise of stock options, net of stock tendered in payment	30,712	(13,989)	9,666
Payments for Omnicare common stock repurchase (Note 2)	(140,127)	(100,942)	0
Dividends paid	(17,217)	(12,839)	(10,733)
Other	3,140	(5,289)	1,268
Net cash flows used in financing activities of continuing operations	(308,832)	(24,620)	(277,028)
Net cash flows used in financing activities of discontinued operations	0	0	(479)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities	(308,832)	(24,620)	(277,507)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	85,779	217,943	61,450
Less increase in cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations	(1)	834	(409)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations	85,778	218,777	61,041
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	494,484	275,707	214,666
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 580,262	$ 494,484	$ 275,707