ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended				3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2012 Clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide gel ("IDP-111") and Fluorouracil cream ("5-FU")	Dec. 31, 2011 Clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide gel ("IDP-111")	Dec. 31, 2011 Fluorouracil cream ("5-FU")	Mar. 31, 2011 Cloderm Cream	Mar. 31, 2012 Zovirax Y
Asset acquisitions and disposition
Impairment charges					$ 7,900,000	$ 19,800,000
Amount expensed as cost of alliance revenue	73,022,000	33,945,000		69,200,000
Adjusted carrying value of intangible assets	7,277,442,000		7,126,446,000				30,700,000	91,400,000
Classified as Assets held for sale					54,400,000	14,800,000
Net cash proceeds				66,300,000
Upfront payment received for exclusive license							36,000,000
Term of distribution agreement (in years)								20 years
Fair value of product rights intangible asset							31,800,000
Cash paid								$ 300,000,000
Useful life of intangible asset (in years)								11