Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies - Note 1	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013
Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies Disclosure
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	(1) Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NPS or the Company) in accordance with the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The condensed consolidated financial statements are comprised of the financial statements of NPS and its subsidiaries collectively referred to as the Company. In management's opinion, the interim financial data presented includes all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring items) necessary for fair presentation. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Certain information required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles has been condensed or omitted in accordance with rules and regulations of the SEC. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period or for the year ending December 31, 2013. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2012, included in NPS' 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions relating to reporting of the assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Actual results could differ from these estimates. *Subsequent Events* The Company has evaluated all events and transactions since September 30, 2013. The Company did not have any material recognized or non-recognized subsequent events. *Significant Accounting Policies* There were no material changes in the Company's significant accounting policies from those at December 31, 2012; however, the following information, which relates to the U.S. launch of Gattex in February 2013, is in addition to, and should be read in conjunction with, the accounting policies included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. *Product Sales.* Product sales represent U.S. sales of Gattex, which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2012. The Company recognizes revenue from Gattex product sales when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, title to product and associated risk of loss has passed to the customer, the price is fixed or determinable, collection from the customer is reasonably assured, the Company has no further performance obligations, and returns can be reasonably estimated. All prescriptions for Gattex, received directly by NPS from the patient's physician, are handled through NPS Advantage, the Company's data management and patient support program, which investigates and determines the patient's insurance coverage for Gattex. Once coverage is confirmed, NPS forwards the prescription to the specialty pharmacy (SP) who then re-confirms the coverage and dispenses Gattex to the patient. The Company sells Gattex directly to a limited number of SPs and a specialty distributor (SD) who dispense product to patients, hospitals or U.S. government entities. The Company invoices and records revenue when the SPs or SD receives Gattex from the Company's third-party logistics warehouse. The Company's SPs order product to fill prescriptions that have been approved for reimbursement by payers. Specific considerations for Gattex sold in the U.S. are as follows: Rebates: Allowances for rebates include mandated discounts under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program. Rebates are amounts owed after the final dispensing of the product to a benefit plan participant and are based upon contractual agreements or legal requirements with public sector (e.g. Medicaid) benefit providers. The allowance for rebates is based on statutory discount rates and expected utilization. The Company's estimate for expected utilization for rebates is based in part on actual and pending prescriptions for which it has validated the insurance benefits. Chargebacks: Chargebacks are discounts that occur when contracted customers purchase from the Company's SPs or SD. Contracted customers, which currently consist primarily of Public Health Service institutions and Federal government entities purchasing via the Federal Supply Schedule, generally purchase the product at a discounted price. The Company's SPs or SD, in turn, charge back the difference between the price initially paid by the SP or SD and the discounted price paid to the SP or SD by the customer. The allowance for chargebacks is based on actual and expected sales to the SPs and SD. SP and SD Fees and Deductions: The Company's SPs and its SD are offered prompt payment discounts and are paid fees for their services and data. Product returns: The Company will accept product that is damaged or defective when shipped directly to the SP or SD from the Company's third-party logistics provider or for product that is returned with more than two (2) months remaining until the expiration date from its SP or SD only. The Company will not provide any credit for product that has been labeled for or sent to a patient. Product returned is generally not resalable as the product must be temperature-controlled throughout the supply chain and such control is difficult to confirm. The Company makes a reasonable estimate of future potential product returns based on the number of prescriptions that have been approved for reimbursement and sent to an SP with each corresponding shipment of Gattex that has been sent to each respective SP. The Company also has the visibility to see current inventory levels and the current shelf life at the SPs and SD and has the ability to control the amount of product that is sold to the SPs and SD. At the end of each reporting period, the Company determines a product returns reserve by evaluating the units held in its distribution channel, the underlying demand for such units and the risk of potential product returns. At September 30, 2013 the Company recorded a product returns reserve of approximately $119,000 that it believes could be returned in the future. Product sales are recorded net of accruals for estimated rebates, chargebacks, discounts, and other deductions (collectively, sales deductions) and returns. With the exception of allowances for prompt payment, allowances for sales deductions and returns are included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. *Inventory.* Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or estimated realizable value. The Company determines the cost of inventory using the first-in, first-out, or FIFO, method. The Company capitalizes inventory costs associated with the Company's products after regulatory approval when, based on management's judgment, future commercialization is considered probable and the future economic benefit is expected to be realized; otherwise, such costs are expensed as research and development. The Company periodically analyzes its inventory levels to identify inventory that may expire prior to expected sale or has a cost basis in excess of its estimated realizable value, and writes-down such inventories as appropriate. In addition, the Company's products are subject to strict quality control and monitoring which the Company performs throughout the manufacturing process. If certain batches or units of product no longer meet quality specifications or become obsolete due to expiration, the Company records a charge to cost of goods sold to write down such unmarketable inventory to its estimated realizable value.

Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies - Note 1

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies Disclosure

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

(1) Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NPS or the Company) in accordance with the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The condensed consolidated financial statements are comprised of the financial statements of NPS and its subsidiaries collectively referred to as the Company. In management's opinion, the interim financial data presented includes all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring items) necessary for fair presentation. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Certain information required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles has been condensed or omitted in accordance with rules and regulations of the SEC. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period or for the year ending December 31, 2013.

These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2012, included in NPS' 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.

The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions relating to reporting of the assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated all events and transactions since September 30, 2013. The Company did not have any material recognized or non-recognized subsequent events.

Significant Accounting Policies

There were no material changes in the Company's significant accounting policies from those at December 31, 2012; however, the following information, which relates to the U.S. launch of Gattex in February 2013, is in addition to, and should be read in conjunction with, the accounting policies included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Product Sales. Product sales represent U.S. sales of Gattex, which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2012. The Company recognizes revenue from Gattex product sales when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, title to product and associated risk of loss has passed to the customer, the price is fixed or determinable, collection from the customer is reasonably assured, the Company has no further performance obligations, and returns can be reasonably estimated.

All prescriptions for Gattex, received directly by NPS from the patient's physician, are handled through NPS Advantage, the Company's data management and patient support program, which investigates and determines the patient's insurance coverage for Gattex. Once coverage is confirmed, NPS forwards the prescription to the specialty pharmacy (SP) who then re-confirms the coverage and dispenses Gattex to the patient. The Company sells Gattex directly to a limited number of SPs and a specialty distributor (SD) who dispense product to patients, hospitals or U.S. government entities. The Company invoices and records revenue when the SPs or SD receives Gattex from the Company's third-party logistics warehouse. The Company's SPs order product to fill prescriptions that have been approved for reimbursement by payers.

Specific considerations for Gattex sold in the U.S. are as follows:

Rebates: Allowances for rebates include mandated discounts under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program. Rebates are amounts owed after the final dispensing of the product to a benefit plan participant and are based upon contractual agreements or legal requirements with public sector (e.g. Medicaid) benefit providers. The allowance for rebates is based on statutory discount rates and expected utilization. The Company's estimate for expected utilization for rebates is based in part on actual and pending prescriptions for which it has validated the insurance benefits.

Chargebacks: Chargebacks are discounts that occur when contracted customers purchase from the Company's SPs or SD. Contracted customers, which currently consist primarily of Public Health Service institutions and Federal government entities purchasing via the Federal Supply Schedule, generally purchase the product at a discounted price. The Company's SPs or SD, in turn, charge back the difference between the price initially paid by the SP or SD and the discounted price paid to the SP or SD by the customer. The allowance for chargebacks is based on actual and expected sales to the SPs and SD.

SP and SD Fees and Deductions: The Company's SPs and its SD are offered prompt payment discounts and are paid fees for their services and data.

Product returns: The Company will accept product that is damaged or defective when shipped directly to the SP or SD from the Company's third-party logistics provider or for product that is returned with more than two (2) months remaining until the expiration date from its SP or SD only. The Company will not provide any credit for product that has been labeled for or sent to a patient. Product returned is generally not resalable as the product must be temperature-controlled throughout the supply chain and such control is difficult to confirm. The Company makes a reasonable estimate of future potential product returns based on the number of prescriptions that have been approved for reimbursement and sent to an SP with each corresponding shipment of Gattex that has been sent to each respective SP. The Company also has the visibility to see current inventory levels and the current shelf life at the SPs and SD and has the ability to control the amount of product that is sold to the SPs and SD. At the end of each reporting period, the Company determines a product returns reserve by evaluating the units held in its distribution channel, the underlying demand for such units and the risk of potential product returns. At September 30, 2013 the Company recorded a product returns reserve of approximately $119,000 that it believes could be returned in the future.

Product sales are recorded net of accruals for estimated rebates, chargebacks, discounts, and other deductions (collectively, sales deductions) and returns. With the exception of allowances for prompt payment, allowances for sales deductions and returns are included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Inventory. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or estimated realizable value. The Company determines the cost of inventory using the first-in, first-out, or FIFO, method. The Company capitalizes inventory costs associated with the Company's products after regulatory approval when, based on management's judgment, future commercialization is considered probable and the future economic benefit is expected to be realized; otherwise, such costs are expensed as research and development. The Company periodically analyzes its inventory levels to identify inventory that may expire prior to expected sale or has a cost basis in excess of its estimated realizable value, and writes-down such inventories as appropriate. In addition, the Company's products are subject to strict quality control and monitoring which the Company performs throughout the manufacturing process. If certain batches or units of product no longer meet quality specifications or become obsolete due to expiration, the Company records a charge to cost of goods sold to write down such unmarketable inventory to its estimated realizable value.