Balance Sheet Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Inventories
Raw materials and supplies	$ 18,170	$ 19,429
Work in process	28,192	27,464
Finished goods	34,969	30,993
Inventories	81,331	77,886
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	407,389	398,296
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	(227,119)	(222,215)
Property, plant and equipment, net	180,270	176,081
Purchased Intangibles, Net
Purchased intangibles, gross	163,012	162,556
Purchased intangibles, accumulated amortization	(58,459)	(55,937)
Licenses, Manufacturing Access Fees and Other Assets, Net
License and manufacturing access fees	68,488	67,906
Other assets	11,909	11,257
License, manufacturing access fees and other assets, at cost	95,506	94,272
Less: accumulated amortization	(34,260)	(32,534)
License, manufacturing access fees and other assets, net	61,246	61,738
Other Accrued Expenses
Research and development	5,431	3,554
Professional fees	3,471	1,148
Royalties	2,778	3,047
Marketing and sales	1,754	1,261
Other	4,150	3,836
Other accrued expenses	17,584	12,846
Qualigen, Inc. [Member]
Licenses, Manufacturing Access Fees and Other Assets, Net
Investment	5,404	5,404
DiagnoCure Inc. [Member]
Licenses, Manufacturing Access Fees and Other Assets, Net
Investment	5,000	5,000
Roka Biosciences, Inc. [Member]
Licenses, Manufacturing Access Fees and Other Assets, Net
Investment	4,705	4,705
Customer Relationships [Member]
Purchased Intangibles, Net
Purchased intangibles, gross	77,720	77,326
Purchased intangibles, accumulated amortization	(17,447)	(15,723)
Developed Technology [Member]
Purchased Intangibles, Net
Purchased intangibles, gross	59,206	59,206
Purchased intangibles, accumulated amortization	(38,855)	(38,292)
Trademarks [Member]
Purchased Intangibles, Net
Purchased intangibles, gross	10,879	10,817
Purchased intangibles, accumulated amortization	(1,631)	(1,487)
Trade Names [Member]
Purchased Intangibles, Net
Purchased intangibles, gross	7,300	7,300
Purchased intangibles, accumulated amortization	(526)	(435)
In-Process Research and Development [Member]
Purchased Intangibles, Net
Purchased intangibles, gross	7,907	7,907
Purchased intangibles, accumulated amortization	0	0
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	19,369	19,355
Building [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	79,809	80,005
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	219,786	213,729
Building Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	64,956	60,628
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	22,270	21,790
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	$ 1,199	$ 2,789