v2.4.0.6
Segment Information (Schedule Of Total Revenues From External Customers And Collaboration Partners By Geographic Region) (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
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Total revenues $ 2,200,378 [1] $ 2,121,660 [1] $ 2,137,253 [1] $ 1,926,094 [1] $ 1,998,687 [2] $ 1,937,656 [2] $ 1,927,224 [2] $ 2,085,853 [2] $ 8,385,385 $ 7,949,420 $ 7,011,383
United States [Member]
                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Total revenues                 4,608,343 4,224,035 3,599,313
Outside Of The United States [Member]
                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Total revenues                 3,777,042 3,725,385 3,412,070
Outside Of The United States [Member] | France [Member]
                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Total revenues                 587,292 519,700 468,314
Outside Of The United States [Member] | United Kingdom [Member]
                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Total revenues                 518,377 450,368 393,036
Outside Of The United States [Member] | Spain [Member]
                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Total revenues                 498,201 456,647 451,115
Outside Of The United States [Member] | Italy [Member]
                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Total revenues                 392,052 345,189 323,709
Outside Of The United States [Member] | Germany [Member]
                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Total revenues                 370,403 274,991 293,111
Outside Of The United States [Member] | Switzerland [Member]
                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Total revenues                 179,582 458,606 448,203
Outside Of The United States [Member] | Other European Countries [Member]
                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Total revenues                 578,792 665,237 603,068
Outside Of The United States [Member] | Other Countries [Member]
                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Total revenues                 $ 652,343 $ 554,647 $ 431,514
[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.