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Organization And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Reconciliation Of The Numerator And Denominator Used In The Calculation Of Basic And Diluted Net Income Per Share) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Sep. 30, 2011
Jun. 30, 2011
Mar. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Sep. 30, 2010
Jun. 30, 2010
Mar. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2009
Numerator And Denominator Used In The Calculation Of Basic And Diluted Net Income Per Share [Line Items]                      
Net income attributable to Gilead $ 665,145 [1] $ 741,124 [1] $ 746,227 [1] $ 651,141 [1] $ 629,419 [2] $ 704,876 [2] $ 712,061 [2] $ 854,901 [2] $ 2,803,637 $ 2,901,257 $ 2,635,755
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding used in the calculation of basic net income per share attributable to Gilead common stockholders                 774,903 856,060 904,604
Effect of dilutive securities, stock options and equivalents                 14,248 16,606 23,850
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding used in the calculation of diluted net income per share attributable to Gilead common stockholders                 790,118 873,396 934,109
2011 Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
                      
Numerator And Denominator Used In The Calculation Of Basic And Diluted Net Income Per Share [Line Items]                      
Effect of dilutive securities, conversion spread                 187 222 2,684
2013 Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
                      
Numerator And Denominator Used In The Calculation Of Basic And Diluted Net Income Per Share [Line Items]                      
Effect of dilutive securities, conversion spread                 780 508 2,971
[1] During the fourth quarter of 2011, we recorded $26.6 million of impairment charges in R&D expense, related to certain IPR&D assets acquired from CGI. See Notes 5 and 9.
[2] During the fourth quarter of 2010, we recorded $136.0 million of impairment charges in R&D expense, related to certain IPR&D assets acquired from CV Therapeutics. See Notes 5 and 9.