Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010		Oct. 01, 2009
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Potential aggregate proceeds from sale of a subsidiary, net of cash on hand									$ 230,000
Cash on hand acquired from sale of a subsidiary									118,273
Contingent consideration from sale of a subsidiary									200,000
Fair value of contingent consideration									156,420
Proceeds from contingent consideration	10,020		9,527		28,579		27,811
Investing activity proceeds from contingent consideration	8,192	[1]	4,321	[1]	21,715	[1]	17,644	[1]
Fair value change in contingent consideration	$ 1,828		$ 5,206		$ 6,864		$ 10,167

[1] On October 1, 2009, all of the shares of QLT USA, Inc. ("QLT USA") were sold to TOLMAR Holding, Inc. ("Tolmar") for up to an aggregate $230.0 million, plus cash on hand of $118.3 million. The purchase price included contingent consideration of $200.0 million which had a fair value of $156.2 million on October 1, 2009, representing a non-cash investing activity. During the three months ended September 30, 2011, proceeds received on collection of the contingent consideration totalled $10.0 million (2010 - $9.5 million). Approximately $8.2 million (2010 - $4.3 million) of the proceeds were included within cash provided by investing activities. The remaining $1.8 million (2010 - $5.2 million) of the proceeds were recorded in the Statement of Operations as the fair value change in contingent consideration and were therefore reflected in the net (loss) income line item within cash used in operating activities. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, proceeds received on collection of the contingent consideration totalled $28.6 million (2010 - $27.8 million). Approximately $21.7 million (2010 - $17.6 million) of the proceeds were included within cash provided by investing activities. The remaining $6.9 million (2010 - $10.2 million) of the proceeds were recorded in the Statement of Operations as the fair value change in contingent consideration and were therefore reflected in the net (loss) income line item within cash used in operating activities.