Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sep. 30, 2011 | Sep. 30, 2010 | Sep. 30, 2011 | Sep. 30, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2010
CGI Pharmaceuticals [Member]
IPR&D [Member] | Sep. 30, 2011
IPR&D [Member] | Dec. 31, 2010
IPR&D [Member] | Mar. 31, 2011
IPR&D [Member]
CV Therapeutics [Member] | Dec. 31, 2010
IPR&D [Member]
CV Therapeutics [Member] | |
| Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | ||||||||||
| Amortization expense | $ 17,400,000 | $ 14,900,000 | $ 52,200,000 | $ 44,900,000 | ||||||
| Indefinite-lived intangible assets | 292,830,000 | 292,830,000 | 29,530,000 | 26,600,000 | 292,800,000 | 29,500,000 | 2,900,000 | |||
| Finite lived intangible assets | $ 814,071,000 | $ 814,071,000 | $ 863,393,000 | $ 2,900,000 | ||||||