Separation, Benefit Plan Termination (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010 Former President & CEO [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Former President & CEO [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Former Senior Vice President and Secretary [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Former Senior Vice President and Secretary [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Former Omnicare Executive [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
omnicare executive separation, benefit plan termination severance costs	$ 18,351,000
omnicare executive separation, benefit plan termination restricted stock awards costs	15,934,000
omnicare executive separation, benefit plan termination stock options cost	1,234,000
omnicare executive separation, benefit plan termination interest expense	3,218,000
Omnicare executive separation, benefit plan termination accrued vacation cost	226,000
omnicare execuitve separation, benefit plan termination company's share of employment taxes	610,000
Omnicare executive separation, benefit plan termination total separation costs	39,573,000
Aggregate Cash Severance				16,200,000		2,100,000
Agreed upon separation agreement % interest earned on unpaid benefits for former President and Senior VP and Secretary		8.75%
stock options vested as a result of separation			2,670,019		446,859
Restricted Common Stock (in shares) vested as a result of separation			705,176		111,573
Non Cash charge as a result of shares and options vested due to separation			$ 14,100,000		$ 3,100,000		$ 1,000,000