Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010 CGI Pharmaceuticals [Member] IPR&D [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 IPR&D [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 IPR&D [Member]	Mar. 31, 2011 IPR&D [Member] CV Therapeutics [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 IPR&D [Member] CV Therapeutics [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense	$ 17,400,000	$ 14,900,000	$ 52,200,000	$ 44,900,000
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	292,830,000		292,830,000		29,530,000	26,600,000	292,800,000	29,500,000		2,900,000
Finite lived intangible assets	$ 814,071,000		$ 814,071,000		$ 863,393,000				$ 2,900,000

Sum of the gross carrying amounts before accumulated amortization as of the balance sheet date of all intangible assets having statutory or estimated useful lives. The aggregate gross carrying amount (including any previously recognized impairment charges) of a major finite-lived intangible asset class. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph a(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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6905858&loc=d3e16323-109275

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant