2.4.0.81150 - Disclosure - Litigation and Claimstruefalsefalse1false falsefalseD2013Q2YTDhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000946840duration2013-01-01T00:00:002013-06-30T00:00:001true 1us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureAbstractus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse0Litigation and Claims2false 2us-gaap_LegalMattersAndContingenciesTextBlockus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00<div style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman;"> Note 15.  Litigation and Claims   On May 17, 2012, a class action complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania naming as defendants ViroPharma Incorporated and Vincent J. Milano. The complaint alleges, among other things, possible securities laws violations by the defendants in connection with certain statements made by the defendants related to the Company’s Vancocin product. On October 19, 2012, the complaint was amended to include additional officers of the Company as named defendants and allege additional information as the basis for the claim. The Company has moved to dismiss the complaint and an oral argument was held on June 10, 2013, but no decision has been issued. The defendants believe that the allegations in the class action complaint are without merit and intend to defend the lawsuit vigorously; however, there can be no assurance regarding the ultimate outcome of this lawsuit.   On April 6, 2012, we received a notification that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is conducting an investigation into whether we engaged in unfair methods of competition with respect to Vancocin. On August 3, 2012, we received a Civil Investigative Demand from the FTC requesting additional information related to this matter. The existence of an investigation does not indicate that the FTC has concluded that we have violated the law, and we do not believe that we have engaged in unfair methods of competition with respect to Vancocin. We intend to continue to cooperate with the FTC investigation; however, at this time we cannot assess potential outcomes of this investigation.   From time to time we are a party to litigation in the ordinary course of our business and may become a party to additional litigation in the future as several law firms have issued press releases indicating that they are commencing investigations concerning whether the Company and certain of its officers and directors have violated laws. We do not believe these matters, even if adversely adjudicated or settled, would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.   </div>falsefalsefalsenonnum:textBlockItemTypenaThe entire disclosure for legal proceedings, legal contingencies, litigation, regulatory and environmental matters and other contingencies.No definition available.false0Litigation and ClaimsfalseLitigation and ClaimsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownUnKnowntruefalsefalseSheethttp://www.viropharma.com/role/DisclosureLitigationAndClaims12