The minimum amount the entity agreed to spend under the commitment.

Name:	shpgf_CommitmentAmount
Namespace Prefix:	shpgf
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	shpgf_CommitmentByCategoryLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	shpgf
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The aggregate amount of payments due in the first year after the balance sheet date to reduce a recorded commitment.

+ Details

Name:	shpgf_CommitmentDueWithinOneYear
Namespace Prefix:	shpgf
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

For leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year, required rental payments due within the sixth year of the balance sheet date relating to leases defined as operating.

+ Details

Name:	shpgf_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInSixYears
Namespace Prefix:	shpgf
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	shpgf_OutLicensingArrangementAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	shpgf
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	shpgf_OutLicensingArrangementMilestoneIncomeRecognized
Namespace Prefix:	shpgf
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	shpgf_OutLicensingArrangementProductSalesRecognized
Namespace Prefix:	shpgf
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsPledgedAsCollateralAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Rental expense incurred for leased assets including furniture and equipment which has not been recognized in costs and expenses applicable to sales and revenues; for example, cost of goods sold or other operating costs and expenses.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 13

-Paragraph 15

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 13

-Paragraph 16

-Subparagraph c

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of the combined total of loss contingency reserves.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualAtCarryingValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualDisclosuresAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The total of future contractually required payments on leases defined as operating.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 13

-Paragraph 122

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 13

-Paragraph 16

-Subparagraph b(i)

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

For leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year, required rental payments due within one year of the balance sheet date relating to leases defined as operating.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

For leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year, required rental payments due within the fifth year of the balance sheet date relating to leases defined as operating.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFiveYears
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

For leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year, required rental payments due within the fourth year of the balance sheet date relating to leases defined as operating.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

For leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year, required rental payments due within the third year of the balance sheet date relating to leases defined as operating.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

For leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year, required rental payments due within the second year of the balance sheet date relating to leases defined as operating.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

For leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year, required rental payments due after the fifth year from the balance sheet date on leases defined as operating.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueThereafter
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The fair value, as of the date of each statement of financial position presented, of securities that are restricted as collateral under letter of credit agreements, and that are reclassified and separately reported in the statement of financial position because the transferee has the right by contract or custom to sell or re-pledge them.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 140

-Paragraph 15

-Subparagraph a

+ Details

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

- Definition

The carrying amount as of the date of the latest financial statement presented of securities which are owned but transferred to serve as collateral for letter of credit arrangements, and for which the transferee does not have the right by contract or custom to sell or re-pledge them to an unrelated party.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS140-4 and FIN46(R)-8

-Paragraph B6

-Subparagraph b

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 140

-Paragraph 17

-Subparagraph a(2)

+ Details

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

- Definition

Cash received from collaborators during the current period.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 27

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromCollaborators
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended			9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $) In Millions	Mar. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011 Clinical Testing	Dec. 31, 2010 Clinical Testing	Sep. 30, 2011 Contract Manufacturing	Dec. 31, 2010 Contract Manufacturing	Sep. 30, 2011 Other Purchasing Commitment	Dec. 31, 2010 Other Purchasing Commitment	Sep. 30, 2011 Investment Commitment	Dec. 31, 2010 Investment Commitment	Sep. 30, 2011 Capital Commitment	Dec. 31, 2010 Capital Commitment
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due
Due within One Year		$ 10.1
Due in Two Years		35.6
Due in Three Years		26.9
Due in Four Years		25.0
Due in Five Years		20.2
Due in Six Years		18.0
Due Thereafter		38.8
Future Minimum Payments Due, Total		174.6
Operating Leases, Rent Expense
Lease and Rental Expense		27.3	23.7
Letters of Credit and Guarantees
Irrevocable Standby Letters of Credit and Guarantees		34.7
Restricted Cash Required by Letters of Credit		9.2
Out-licensing Arrangement
Out-licensing Arrangement, Milestone Payment Received	0	6.8
Out-licensing Arrangement, Milestone Income Recognized		10.1	6.3
Out-licensing Arrangement, Product Sales Recognized		46.2	36.1
Commitment, by Category [Line Items]
Commitment, Amount					279.2	156.2	96.8	108.6	108.9	104.1	13.9	5.7	37.7	76.0
Commitment Due Within One Year							36.7		97.3
Loss Contingency Accrual, Disclosures
Litigation Loss, Insurance Claim and Other Disputes, at Carrying Value		$ 42.7		$ 33.8