Business Combinations (Pro Forma Information) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Shire, ABH and Movetis
Pro Forma Information
Revenues	$ 4,353.7	$ 3,618.9	$ 3,007.7
Net income from continuing operations	850.9	508.4	453.0
Net income attributable to Shire plc	850.9	508.4	440.6
Net income from continuing operations per share - basic	$ 1.544	$ 0.931	$ 0.838
Net income per ordinary share attributable to Shire plc - basic	$ 1.544	$ 0.931	$ 0.815
Net income from continuing operations per share - diluted	$ 1.485	$ 0.913	$ 0.827
Net income per ordinary share attributable to Shire plc - diluted	$ 1.485	$ 0.913	$ 0.804
ABH
Pro Forma Data Adjustments
Adjustment to decrease interest income/increase interest expense	2.1	2.7
Adjustment to increase amortization expense of intangible assets	20.0	40.0
Adjustment to net income to eliminate the income statement effect of change in the fair value of preferred stock warrants	49.9	13.4
Adjustment to net income to reflect acquisition and integration costs	30.6	(13.6)
Movetis
Pro Forma Data Adjustments
Adjustment to decrease interest income/increase interest expense		2.7	3.6
Adjustment to increase amortization expense of intangible assets		$ 17.7	$ 23.6

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An adjustment to net income to reflect the acquisition and integration costs incurred in relation to the acquisition.

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- Definition

A pro forma adjustment to increase (decrease) amortization of an acquired intangible asset resulting from an assumed earlier acquisition date.

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- Definition

An adjustment to net income to eliminate the income statement effect of changes in the fair value of preferred stock warrants.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

A pro forma adjustment to increase (decrease) interest income and (increase) decrease interest expense resulting from an assumed accelerated outflow of cash to effect the acquisition.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

The pro forma basic net income per share for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

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-Subparagraph (h)(2)-(3)

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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141

-Paragraph 54

-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 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141

-Paragraph 55

-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 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-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.

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The pro forma diluted net income per share for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

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The pro forma income from continuing operations before changes in accounting and extraordinary items, net of tax effect per basic share of common stock for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

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The pro forma income from continuing operations before changes in accounting and extraordinary items, net of tax effect, per diluted share of common stock for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

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The pro forma income from continuing operations before changes in accounting and extraordinary items, net of tax effect, for the period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

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The pro forma net Income or Loss for the period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

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The pro forma revenue for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of the period.

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