Reportable Segments (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Net revenues, operating expenses, contribution information by reportable segment
Product sales	$ 1,049.9	$ 838.5	$ 1,894.7	$ 1,666.4
Other	31.8	36.8	63.5	65.4
Net revenues	1,081.7	875.3	1,958.2	1,731.8
Operating expenses:
Cost of sales	613.4	498.0	1,069.0	1,002.7
Research and development	80.5	61.8	154.8	121.3
Selling and marketing	102.1	80.7	187.6	158.3
Contribution	285.7	234.8	546.8	449.5
Contribution margin	26.40%	26.80%	27.90%	26.00%
General and administrative	85.4	75.9	164.7	150.3
Amortization	74.6	43.1	131.2	82.1
Loss on asset sales and impairments	7.4	0.1	21.8	1.1
Operating income	118.3	115.7	229.1	216.0
Operating margin	10.90%	13.20%	11.70%	12.50%
Reportable Segments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments			3
Global Generics segment [Member]
Net revenues, operating expenses, contribution information by reportable segment
Product sales	781.5	560.8	1,366.5	1,094.9
Other	10.9	10.2	26.0	19.9
Net revenues	792.4	571.0	1,392.5	1,114.8
Operating expenses:
Cost of sales	439.1	305.9	728.2	593.4
Research and development	58.3	44.6	112.7	86.8
Selling and marketing	37.7	27.5	68.3	54.4
Contribution	257.3	193.0	483.3	380.2
Contribution margin	32.50%	33.80%	34.70%	34.10%
Global Brands segment [Member]
Net revenues, operating expenses, contribution information by reportable segment
Product sales	92.0	76.9	172.3	149.3
Other	20.9	26.6	37.5	45.5
Net revenues	112.9	103.5	209.8	194.8
Operating expenses:
Cost of sales	25.1	23.6	42.9	48.3
Research and development	22.2	17.2	42.1	34.5
Selling and marketing	44.8	35.4	81.3	67.9
Contribution	20.8	27.3	43.5	44.1
Contribution margin	18.40%	26.40%	20.70%	22.60%
Distribution segment [Member]
Net revenues, operating expenses, contribution information by reportable segment
Product sales	176.4	200.8	355.9	422.2
Net revenues	176.4	200.8	355.9	422.2
Operating expenses:
Cost of sales	149.2	168.5	297.9	361.0
Selling and marketing	19.6	17.8	38.0	36.0
Contribution	$ 7.6	$ 14.5	$ 20.0	$ 25.2
Contribution margin	4.30%	7.20%	5.60%	6.00%