Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (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	$ 1,266,686	$ 898,573	$ 977,062
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets	358,933	355,744	427,961
Acquired in-process research and development	0	271,376
Share-based compensation	113,005	167,826	160,902
Fair value adjustment of contingent consideration	36,065
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	(50,586)	(13,136)	(3,436)
Deferred income taxes	153,576	(81,410)	(137,351)
Write-down of inventory to net realizable value	25,446	11,808	16,924
Impairment of marketable securities, investments and other assets	8,619	20,846	16,184
Non-cash interest (income) expense, foreign exchange remeasurement loss (gain), net and other	15,671	5,808	(7,892)
Realized (gain) loss on sale of marketable securities and strategic investments	(15,062)	(16,321)	(23,974)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net:
Accounts receivable	(73,374)	(99,227)	(100,442)
Due from unconsolidated joint business	(6,265)	(28,670)	13,136
Inventory	(59,219)	(4,527)	(42,772)
Other assets	(43,241)	(12,584)	22,271
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	33,722	130,875	(48,942)
Other liabilities and taxes payable	(36,235)	17,692	(194,733)
Net cash flows provided by operating activities	1,727,741	1,624,673	1,074,898
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sales and maturities of marketable securities	2,276,720	2,668,694	3,319,007
Purchases of marketable securities	(3,696,995)	(1,988,394)	(3,548,119)
Acquisitions	(5,000)	(72,476)
Acquisition of a variable interest entity, net		(84,952)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(208,020)	(173,055)	(165,646)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment	2,207
Purchases of intangible assets	(44,155)
Purchases of other investments	(16,324)	(4,492)	(44,086)
Proceeds from the sale of strategic investments	41,273		13,822
Collateral received under securities lending			29,991
Net cash flows (used in) provided by investing activities	(1,650,294)	345,325	(395,031)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchase of treasury stock	(497,975)	(2,077,579)	(751,170)
Proceeds from issuance of stock for share-based compensation arrangements	314,650	183,486	47,810
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	50,586	13,136	3,436
Change in cash overdraft	2,823	11,781	12,275
Acquisition of noncontrolling interests	(148,264)
Net distributions to noncontrolling interests	(27,062)	(23,475)	4,356
Repayments of borrowings	(11,459)	(18,073)	(10,867)
Net proceeds from financing arrangement for the sale of the San Diego facility	0	126,980
Repayments on financing arrangement for the sale of the San Diego facility	(3,161)	(1,175)
Obligation under securities lending			(29,991)
Net cash flows used in financing activities	(319,862)	(1,784,919)	(724,151)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(242,415)	185,079	(44,284)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(2,641)	(7,370)	3,788
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year	759,598	581,889	622,385
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the year	$ 514,542	$ 759,598	$ 581,889