Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 1,862,341	$ 1,380,033	$ 1,266,686
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets	531,740	365,648	358,933
Share-based compensation	136,293	118,566	113,005
Deferred income taxes	(245,077)	(116,900)	153,576
Other	(27,612)	28,822	20,153
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net:
Accounts receivable	(126,753)	3,571	(73,374)
Inventory	(243,960)	(140,309)	(59,219)
Other assets	(160,188)	(27,347)	(43,241)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	284,049	273,372	33,722
Other liabilities and taxes payable	318,512	34,112	(36,235)
Other	15,733	(39,671)	(6,265)
Net cash flows provided by operating activities	2,345,078	1,879,897	1,727,741
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sales and maturities of marketable securities	5,190,052	2,749,558	2,276,720
Purchases of marketable securities	(3,278,091)	(3,334,434)	(3,696,995)
Acquisition of TYSABRI rights	(3,262,719)	0	0
Acquisitions of businesses and variable interest entities, net of cash acquired	(15,000)	(72,401)	(5,000)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(246,281)	(254,548)	(208,020)
Other	7,371	(38,517)	(16,999)
Net cash flows used in investing activities	(1,604,668)	(950,342)	(1,650,294)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchase of treasury stock	(400,309)	(984,715)	(497,975)
Proceeds from issuance of stock for share-based compensation arrangements	66,770	67,493	314,650
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	73,467	54,738	50,586
Acquisition of noncontrolling interests	0	0	(148,264)
Repayments of borrowings	(452,340)	(2,428)	(11,459)
Other	(4,116)	(12,566)	(27,400)
Net cash flows used in financing activities	(716,528)	(877,478)	(319,862)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	23,882	52,077	(242,415)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	7,959	4,102	(2,641)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year	570,721	514,542	759,598
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the year	$ 602,562	$ 570,721	$ 514,542