Name:	biib_DerivativeInstrumentsTextualAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	biib_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Amount of net unrealized gain (loss) related to the change in fair value of foreign currency exchange rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments. Recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income to the extent that the cash flow hedge is determined to be effective.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	biib_UnrealizedGainLossesOnForeignCurrencyDerivativesNetBeforeTax
Namespace Prefix:	biib_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeAssetFairValueNetAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value of derivative asset, presented on a gross basis even when the derivative instrument is subject to master netting arrangements and qualifies for net presentation in the statement of financial position.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 205G

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 44C

-Subparagraph a

-Clause 1

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4B

-Subparagraph (a),(c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624163-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

High end period remaining until maturity for the derivative contract, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeHigherRemainingMaturityRange1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The effective portion of net gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 44C

-Subparagraph b

-Clause 4

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 205G

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4C

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624171-113959

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4D

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624177-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Low end period remaining until maturity of derivative contract, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeLowerRemainingMaturityRange1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The portion of a hedge deemed to be ineffective that is reflected in current period results of operations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4C

-Subparagraph (d)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624171-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 25

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6886632&loc=d3e76258-113986

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeNetHedgeIneffectivenessGainLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyCashFlowHedgesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value as of the balance sheet date of all foreign currency derivatives not designated as hedging instruments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 5

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6945355&loc=d3e41228-113958

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 17

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAtFairValueNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of gain (loss) recognized in earnings in the period from the increase (decrease) in fair value of foreign currency derivatives not designated as hedging instruments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4A

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5618551-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4C

-Subparagraph (e)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624171-113959

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 44

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstruments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum amount of time remaining before foreign currency exchange rate derivatives mature or expire, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MaximumRemainingMaturityOfForeignCurrencyDerivatives1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate notional amount of all foreign currency derivatives designated as hedging instruments in cash flow hedges. Notional amount refers to the number of currency units specified in the foreign currency derivative contract.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1A

-Subparagraph (d)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5579245-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Notional Amount

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6519104

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1B

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5580258-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfForeignCurrencyCashFlowHedgeDerivatives
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Aggregate notional amount of all foreign currency derivatives not designated as hedging instruments. Notional amount refers to the number of currency units specified in the foreign currency derivative contract.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstruments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Derivative Instruments (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Foreign currency forward contracts that were entered into to hedge forecasted revenue
Total foreign currency forward contracts	$ 542.6		$ 542.6		$ 532.3
Derivative Instruments (Textual) [Abstract]
Lower Range of Durations of foreign currency forward contracts			1 month		1 month
Higher Range of Durations of foreign currency forward contracts			12 months		12 months
Gain/Loss on fair value of Foreign currency forward contracts	36.4		36.4		36.5
Expected Settlement time for contracts, in months			12 months
Gains and losses in earnings of Foreign currency forward contracts due to hedge ineffectiveness	1.3	(1.2)	3.2	(0.5)
Gains/(Losses) in product revenue for the settlement of certain effective cash flow hedge instruments	13.6	(18.5)	19.0	(26.8)
Aggregate notional amount of outstanding foreign currency contracts	344.1		344.1
Fair Value of outstanding foreign currency contracts	0.5		0.5
Net gains (losses) of other income (expense) related to foreign currency forward contracts	15.9	0.6	11.4	(4.3)
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] \| Other Current Assets [Member] \| Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Summary of Derivatives designated as Hedging Instruments
Derivative Asset, Fair Value	35.7		35.7		32.6
Euro [Member]
Foreign currency forward contracts that were entered into to hedge forecasted revenue
Total foreign currency forward contracts	523.1		523.1		496.4
Canadian Dollar [Member]
Foreign currency forward contracts that were entered into to hedge forecasted revenue
Total foreign currency forward contracts	12.8		12.8		22.9
Swedish krona [Member]
Foreign currency forward contracts that were entered into to hedge forecasted revenue
Total foreign currency forward contracts	$ 6.7		$ 6.7		$ 13.0