v2.4.0.6
Related party transactions Related party transactions (Details Textual) (Kirin-Amgen [Member], USD $)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]      
Ownership interest (in percent) in related party 50.00% 50.00% 50.00%
Payments that may be received upon the achievement of various substantive success-based development and regulatory approval milestones $ 85,000,000    
Selling General and Administrative [Member]
     
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]      
Company's share of profits (losses) of related party (24,000,000) 47,000,000 71,000,000
Cost of Sales Excludes Amortization of Certain Acquired Intangible Assets [Member]
     
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]      
Royalties earned by related party from Amgen 274,000,000 298,000,000 322,000,000
Other Revenues [Member]
     
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]      
Revenues earned by Amgen from related party 115,000,000 130,000,000 96,000,000
Research and Development [Member]
     
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]      
Cost recoveries by Amgen from related party 142,000,000 85,000,000 88,000,000
Noncurrent Other Assets [Member]
     
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]      
Approximate carrying value of the company's equity method investment net of dividends received 400,000,000 400,000,000  
Accrued Liabilities [Member]
     
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]      
Amount owed to related party $ 31,000,000 $ 75,000,000