Guarantor Subsidiaries (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2013
Sep. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2013
Dec. 31, 2013
Summary Consolidating Statements of Income [Abstract]          
Net sales $ 1,608,055 $ 1,515,168 $ 4,789,677 $ 4,477,229  
Cost of sales 1,256,595 1,163,197 3,725,533 3,416,039  
Gross profit 351,460 351,971 1,064,144 1,061,190  
Selling, general and administrative expenses 178,940 182,668 549,816 565,276  
Provision for doubtful accounts 19,911 24,963 62,562 75,113  
Settlement, litigation and other related charges 12,868 143,484 27,467 169,615  
Other miscellaneous charges 3,999 61,632 25,559 96,906  
Operating income 135,742 (60,776) 398,740 154,280  
Interest expense, net of investment income (28,717) (34,925) (88,138) (94,011)  
Income before income taxes 107,025 (95,701) 310,602 60,269  
Income tax (benefit) expense 38,948 (26,350) 117,641 34,004  
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent 68,077 (69,351) 192,961 26,265  
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest (3,246) 3,042 (42,385) 13,999  
Equity of net income (loss) of subsidiaries 0 0 0 0  
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest 64,831 (66,309) 150,576 40,264  
Comprehensive income (loss) 65,170 (66,305) 151,182 40,170  
ASSETS          
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value 286,943 498,263 286,943 498,263  
Accounts Receivable, Net, Current 651,224   651,224   695,684
Inventory, Net 494,563   494,563   512,418
Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance, Current 56,084   56,084   135,094
Other Assets, Current 315,165   315,165   265,536
Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current 0   0   49,995
Total current assets 1,803,979   1,803,979   2,014,728
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net 330,601   330,601   305,888
Goodwill 4,060,683   4,060,683   4,057,456
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) 106,425   106,425   129,974
Other Assets, Noncurrent 95,649   95,649   96,722
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Long Lived Assets, Noncurrent 0   0   87,078
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures 0   0   0
Total assets 6,397,337   6,397,337   6,691,846
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY          
Current liabilities of continuing operations, excluding current portion of long-term debt 443,006   443,006   587,107
Debt, Current 495,713   495,713   527,204
Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current 0   0   18,846
Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Noncurrent 0   0   1,398
Temporary Equity, Liquidation Preference 308,787   308,787   331,101
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities 1,411,470   1,411,470   1,418,819
Deferred income tax liabilities 1,022,857   1,022,857   1,012,733
Other noncurrent liabilities 60,701   60,701   53,835
Stockholders' equity 2,654,803   2,654,803   2,740,803
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity 6,397,337   6,397,337   6,691,846
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net cash flows (used in) from operating activities     355,417 454,665  
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash received     0 3,798  
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses     71,194 11,083  
Capital expenditures     (67,871) (73,279)  
Other Investing Activities     881 407  
Net cash flows used in investing activities     2,442 (66,401)  
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Payments on Term Loans     (15,938) (15,938)  
Payments on long-term borrowings and obligations     (176,983) (190,403)  
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs     0 (4,851)  
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Bank Overdrafts     (19,786) (11,490)  
Payments for Omnicare common stock repurchase     (160,438) (91,259)  
Dividends paid     (58,419) (43,011)  
Proceeds from (payments for) Other Financing Activities including disc Ops     4,647 20,162  
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities     (426,917) (336,790)  
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     (69,058) 51,474  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period     356,001 444,620  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 286,943 498,263 286,943 498,263  
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations     0 (2,169)  
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Continuing Operations     (69,058) 53,643  
Parent Company [Member]
          
Summary Consolidating Statements of Income [Abstract]          
Net sales 0 0 0 0  
Cost of sales 0 0 0 0  
Gross profit 0 0 0 0  
Selling, general and administrative expenses 1,053 1,504 3,481 3,696  
Provision for doubtful accounts 0 0 0 0  
Settlement, litigation and other related charges 0 0 0 0  
Other miscellaneous charges 0 0 0 0  
Operating income (1,053) (1,504) (3,481) (3,696)  
Interest expense, net of investment income (28,456) (34,583) (86,676) (92,757)  
Income before income taxes (29,509) (36,087) (90,157) (96,453)  
Income tax (benefit) expense (11,503) (14,190) (34,846) (37,395)  
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent (18,006) (21,897) (55,311) (59,058)  
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest 0 0 0 0  
Equity of net income (loss) of subsidiaries 82,837 (44,412) 205,887 99,322  
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest 64,831 (66,309) 150,576 40,264  
Comprehensive income (loss) 65,170 (66,305) 151,182 40,170  
ASSETS          
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value 248,786 428,003 248,786 428,003  
Accounts Receivable, Net, Current 0   0   0
Inventory, Net 0   0   0
Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance, Current 0   0   0
Other Assets, Current 30,506   30,506   1,989
Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current 0   0   0
Total current assets 279,292   279,292   277,899
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net 0   0   0
Goodwill 0   0   0
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) 0   0   0
Other Assets, Noncurrent 38,039   38,039   41,825
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Long Lived Assets, Noncurrent 0   0   0
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures 4,952,869   4,952,869   5,131,280
Total assets 5,270,200   5,270,200   5,451,004
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY          
Current liabilities of continuing operations, excluding current portion of long-term debt 30,230   30,230   83,028
Debt, Current 495,713   495,713   527,204
Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current 0   0   0
Temporary Equity, Liquidation Preference 308,787   308,787   331,101
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities 1,402,712   1,402,712   1,405,628
Deferred income tax liabilities 377,955   377,955   363,240
Other noncurrent liabilities 0   0   0
Stockholders' equity 2,654,803   2,654,803   2,740,803
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity 5,270,200   5,270,200   5,451,004
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net cash flows (used in) from operating activities     (68,865) (42,519)  
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash received       0  
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses     0 0  
Capital expenditures     0 0  
Other Investing Activities     0 227  
Net cash flows used in investing activities     0 (227)  
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Payments on Term Loans     (15,938) (15,938)  
Payments on long-term borrowings and obligations     (176,983) (190,403)  
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs       (4,851)  
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Bank Overdrafts     (10,036) (10,232)  
Payments for Omnicare common stock repurchase     (160,438) (91,259)  
Dividends paid     (58,419) (43,011)  
Proceeds from (payments for) Other Financing Activities including disc Ops     463,555 442,769  
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities     41,741 87,075  
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     (27,124) 44,329  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period     275,910 383,674  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 248,786 428,003 248,786 428,003  
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations     0 0  
Cash and Cash Equivalents Period Increase (Decrease) from Continuing Operations     (27,124) 44,329  
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Convertible Senior Debentures [Member]
          
Summary Consolidating Statements of Income [Abstract]          
Net sales 0 0 0 0  
Cost of sales 0 0 0 0  
Gross profit 0 0 0 0  
Selling, general and administrative expenses 430 417 1,309 1,233  
Provision for doubtful accounts 0 0 0 0  
Settlement, litigation and other related charges 0 0 0 0  
Other miscellaneous charges 0 0 0 0  
Operating income (430) (417) (1,309) (1,233)  
Interest expense, net of investment income 0 0 0 0  
Income before income taxes (430) (417) (1,309) (1,233)  
Income tax (benefit) expense (168) (164) (506) (478)  
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent (262) (253) (803) (755)  
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest 0 0 0 0  
Equity of net income (loss) of subsidiaries 0 0 0 0  
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest (262) (253) (803) (755)  
Comprehensive income (loss) (262) (253) (803) (755)  
ASSETS          
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value 0 0 0 0  
Accounts Receivable, Net, Current 192   192   210
Inventory, Net 0   0   0
Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance, Current 0   0   0
Other Assets, Current 0   0   0
Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current 0   0   0
Total current assets 192   192   210
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net 13   13   19
Goodwill 0   0   0
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) 0   0   0
Other Assets, Noncurrent 19   19   19
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Long Lived Assets, Noncurrent 0   0   0
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures 0   0   0
Total assets 224   224   248
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY          
Current liabilities of continuing operations, excluding current portion of long-term debt 0   0   0
Debt, Current 0   0   0
Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current 0   0   0
Temporary Equity, Liquidation Preference 0   0   0
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities 0   0   0
Deferred income tax liabilities 0   0   0
Other noncurrent liabilities 0   0   0
Stockholders' equity 224   224   248
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity 224   224   248
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net cash flows (used in) from operating activities     0 0  
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash received       0  
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses     0 0  
Capital expenditures     0 0  
Other Investing Activities     0 0  
Net cash flows used in investing activities     0 0  
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Payments on Term Loans     0 0  
Payments on long-term borrowings and obligations     0 0  
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs       0  
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Bank Overdrafts     0 0  
Payments for Omnicare common stock repurchase     0 0  
Dividends paid     0 0  
Proceeds from (payments for) Other Financing Activities including disc Ops     0 0  
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities     0 0  
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     0 0  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period     0 0  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 0 0 0 0  
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations     0 0  
Cash and Cash Equivalents Period Increase (Decrease) from Continuing Operations     0 0  
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Guaranteed Senior Notes Payable [Member]
          
Summary Consolidating Statements of Income [Abstract]          
Net sales 1,576,811 1,485,545 4,697,025 4,383,420  
Cost of sales 1,236,644 1,146,140 3,669,163 3,362,356  
Gross profit 340,167 339,405 1,027,862 1,021,064  
Selling, general and administrative expenses 172,857 176,970 531,899 547,264  
Provision for doubtful accounts 19,570 24,487 61,202 73,671  
Settlement, litigation and other related charges 12,868 143,484 27,467 169,615  
Other miscellaneous charges 3,999 54,361 25,559 89,635  
Operating income 130,873 (59,897) 381,735 140,879  
Interest expense, net of investment income (261) (344) (1,462) (890)  
Income before income taxes 130,612 (60,241) 380,273 139,989  
Income tax (benefit) expense 48,139 (15,270) 144,569 62,093  
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent 82,473 (44,971) 235,704 77,896  
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest (526) (2,100) (1,245) (9,115)  
Equity of net income (loss) of subsidiaries 0 0 0 0  
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest 81,947 (47,071) 234,459 68,781  
Comprehensive income (loss) 81,947 (47,071) 234,459 68,781  
ASSETS          
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value 26,183 57,940 26,183 57,940  
Accounts Receivable, Net, Current 648,877   648,877   693,729
Inventory, Net 486,761   486,761   505,567
Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance, Current 56,135   56,135   135,148
Other Assets, Current 257,138   257,138   242,166
Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current 0   0   12,305
Total current assets 1,475,094   1,475,094   1,656,965
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net 325,405   325,405   301,200
Goodwill 4,031,878   4,031,878   4,028,651
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) 104,884   104,884   127,798
Other Assets, Noncurrent 57,571   57,571   54,834
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Long Lived Assets, Noncurrent 0   0   3,762
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures 0   0   0
Total assets 5,994,832   5,994,832   6,173,210
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY          
Current liabilities of continuing operations, excluding current portion of long-term debt 472,964   472,964   793,461
Debt, Current 0   0   0
Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current 0   0   1,894
Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Noncurrent 0   0   176
Temporary Equity, Liquidation Preference 0   0   0
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities 8,758   8,758   13,191
Deferred income tax liabilities 645,327   645,327   635,640
Other noncurrent liabilities 58,891   58,891   52,072
Stockholders' equity 4,808,892   4,808,892   4,676,776
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity 5,994,832   5,994,832   6,173,210
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net cash flows (used in) from operating activities     425,119 507,984  
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash received       3,798  
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses     71,194 675  
Capital expenditures     (67,217) (71,984)  
Other Investing Activities     881 180  
Net cash flows used in investing activities     3,096 (75,287)  
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Payments on Term Loans     0 0  
Payments on long-term borrowings and obligations     0    
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs       0  
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Bank Overdrafts     (9,750) (1,258)  
Payments for Omnicare common stock repurchase     0 0  
Dividends paid     0 0  
Proceeds from (payments for) Other Financing Activities including disc Ops     (458,908) (422,607)  
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities     (468,658) (423,865)  
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     (40,443) 8,832  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period     68,050 49,108  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 26,183 57,940 26,183 57,940  
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations     1,424 0  
Cash and Cash Equivalents Period Increase (Decrease) from Continuing Operations     (41,867) 8,832  
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Convertible Senior Debentures [Member]
          
Summary Consolidating Statements of Income [Abstract]          
Net sales 1,608,055 1,515,168 4,789,677 4,477,229  
Cost of sales 1,256,595 1,163,197 3,725,533 3,416,039  
Gross profit 351,460 351,971 1,064,144 1,061,190  
Selling, general and administrative expenses 177,457 180,747 545,026 560,347  
Provision for doubtful accounts 19,911 24,963 62,562 75,113  
Settlement, litigation and other related charges 12,868 143,484 27,467 169,615  
Other miscellaneous charges 3,999 61,632 25,559 96,906  
Operating income 137,225 (58,855) 403,530 159,209  
Interest expense, net of investment income (261) (342) (1,462) (1,254)  
Income before income taxes 136,964 (59,197) 402,068 157,955  
Income tax (benefit) expense 50,619 (11,996) 152,993 71,877  
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent 86,345 (47,201) 249,075 86,078  
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest (3,246) 3,042 (42,385) 13,999  
Equity of net income (loss) of subsidiaries 0 0 0 0  
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest 83,099 (44,159) 206,690 100,077  
Comprehensive income (loss) 83,099 (44,159) 206,690 100,077  
ASSETS          
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value 38,157 70,260 38,157 70,260  
Accounts Receivable, Net, Current 651,224   651,224   695,684
Inventory, Net 494,563   494,563   512,418
Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance, Current 56,084   56,084   135,094
Other Assets, Current 284,659   284,659   263,547
Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current 0   0   49,995
Total current assets 1,524,687   1,524,687   1,736,829
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net 330,588   330,588   305,869
Goodwill 4,060,683   4,060,683   4,057,456
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) 106,425   106,425   129,974
Other Assets, Noncurrent 57,591   57,591   54,878
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Long Lived Assets, Noncurrent 0   0   87,078
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures 0   0   0
Total assets 6,079,974   6,079,974   6,372,084
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY          
Current liabilities of continuing operations, excluding current portion of long-term debt 412,968   412,968   504,289
Debt, Current 0   0   0
Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current 0   0   18,846
Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Noncurrent 0   0   1,398
Temporary Equity, Liquidation Preference 0   0   0
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities 8,758   8,758   13,191
Deferred income tax liabilities 644,902   644,902   649,493
Other noncurrent liabilities 60,701   60,701   53,835
Stockholders' equity 4,952,645   4,952,645   5,131,032
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity 6,079,974   6,079,974   6,372,084
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net cash flows (used in) from operating activities     424,282 497,184  
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash received       3,798  
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses     71,194 11,083  
Capital expenditures     (67,871) (73,279)  
Other Investing Activities     881 180  
Net cash flows used in investing activities     2,442 (66,174)  
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Payments on Term Loans     0 0  
Payments on long-term borrowings and obligations     0 0  
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs       0  
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Bank Overdrafts     (9,750) (1,258)  
Payments for Omnicare common stock repurchase     0 0  
Dividends paid     0 0  
Proceeds from (payments for) Other Financing Activities including disc Ops     (458,908) (422,607)  
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities     (468,658) (423,865)  
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     (41,934) 7,145  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period     80,091 60,946  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 38,157 70,260 38,157 70,260  
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations     0 (2,169)  
Cash and Cash Equivalents Period Increase (Decrease) from Continuing Operations     (41,934) 9,314  
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Guaranteed Senior Notes Payable [Member]
          
Summary Consolidating Statements of Income [Abstract]          
Net sales 31,244 29,623 92,652 93,809  
Cost of sales 19,951 17,057 56,370 53,683  
Gross profit 11,293 12,566 36,282 40,126  
Selling, general and administrative expenses 5,030 4,194 14,436 14,316  
Provision for doubtful accounts 341 476 1,360 1,442  
Settlement, litigation and other related charges 0 0 0 0  
Other miscellaneous charges 0 7,271 0 7,271  
Operating income 5,922 625 20,486 17,097  
Interest expense, net of investment income 0 2 0 (364)  
Income before income taxes 5,922 627 20,486 16,733  
Income tax (benefit) expense 2,312 3,110 7,918 9,306  
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent 3,610 (2,483) 12,568 7,427  
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest (2,720) 5,142 (41,140) 23,114  
Equity of net income (loss) of subsidiaries 0 0 0 0  
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest 890 2,659 (28,572) 30,541  
Comprehensive income (loss) 890 2,659 (28,572) 30,541  
ASSETS          
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value 11,974 12,320 11,974 12,320  
Accounts Receivable, Net, Current 94,673   94,673   315,323
Inventory, Net 7,802   7,802   6,851
Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance, Current 374   374   0
Other Assets, Current 27,521   27,521   21,381
Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current 0   0   37,690
Total current assets 142,344   142,344   393,286
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net 5,196   5,196   4,688
Goodwill 28,805   28,805   28,805
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) 1,541   1,541   2,176
Other Assets, Noncurrent 39   39   63
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Long Lived Assets, Noncurrent 0   0   83,316
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures 0   0   0
Total assets 177,925   177,925   512,334
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY          
Current liabilities of continuing operations, excluding current portion of long-term debt 32,138   32,138   23,986
Debt, Current 0   0   0
Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current 0   0   16,952
Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Noncurrent 0   0   1,222
Temporary Equity, Liquidation Preference 0   0   0
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities 0   0   0
Deferred income tax liabilities 0   0   13,907
Other noncurrent liabilities 1,810   1,810   1,763
Stockholders' equity 143,977   143,977   454,504
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity 177,925   177,925   512,334
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net cash flows (used in) from operating activities     (837) (10,800)  
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash received       0  
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses     0 10,408  
Capital expenditures     (654) (1,295)  
Other Investing Activities     0 0  
Net cash flows used in investing activities     (654) 9,113  
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Payments on Term Loans     0 0  
Payments on long-term borrowings and obligations     0    
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs       0  
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Bank Overdrafts     0 0  
Payments for Omnicare common stock repurchase     0 0  
Dividends paid     0 0  
Proceeds from (payments for) Other Financing Activities including disc Ops     0 0  
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities     0 0  
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     (1,491) (1,687)  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period     12,041 11,838  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 11,974 12,320 11,974 12,320  
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations     (1,424) (2,169)  
Cash and Cash Equivalents Period Increase (Decrease) from Continuing Operations     (67) 482  
Consolidating, Eliminating Adjustments [Member]
          
Summary Consolidating Statements of Income [Abstract]          
Comprehensive income (loss) (82,837) 44,412 (205,887) (99,322)  
Consolidating, Eliminating Adjustments [Member] | Convertible Senior Debentures [Member]
          
Summary Consolidating Statements of Income [Abstract]          
Net sales 0 0 0 0  
Cost of sales 0 0 0 0  
Gross profit 0 0 0 0  
Selling, general and administrative expenses 0 0 0 0  
Provision for doubtful accounts 0 0 0 0  
Settlement, litigation and other related charges 0 0 0 0  
Other miscellaneous charges 0 0 0 0  
Operating income 0 0 0 0  
Interest expense, net of investment income 0 0 0 0  
Income before income taxes 0 0 0 0  
Income tax (benefit) expense 0 0 0 0  
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent 0 0 0 0  
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest 0 0 0 0  
Equity of net income (loss) of subsidiaries (82,837) 44,412 (205,887) (99,322)  
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest (82,837) 44,412 (205,887) (99,322)  
ASSETS          
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value 0   0    
Accounts Receivable, Net, Current (192)   (192)   (210)
Inventory, Net 0   0   0
Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance, Current 0   0   0
Other Assets, Current 0   0   0
Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current 0   0   0
Total current assets (192)   (192)   (210)
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net 0   0   0
Goodwill 0   0   0
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) 0   0   0
Other Assets, Noncurrent 0   0   0
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Long Lived Assets, Noncurrent 0   0   0
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures (4,952,869)   (4,952,869)   (5,131,280)
Total assets (4,953,061)   (4,953,061)   (5,131,490)
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY          
Current liabilities of continuing operations, excluding current portion of long-term debt (192)   (192)   (210)
Debt, Current 0   0   0
Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current 0   0   0
Temporary Equity, Liquidation Preference 0   0   0
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities 0   0   0
Deferred income tax liabilities 0   0   0
Other noncurrent liabilities 0   0   0
Stockholders' equity (4,952,869)   (4,952,869)   (5,131,280)
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (4,953,061)   (4,953,061)   (5,131,490)
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period     0    
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 0   0    
Consolidating, Eliminating Adjustments [Member] | Guaranteed Senior Notes Payable [Member]
          
Summary Consolidating Statements of Income [Abstract]          
Net sales 0 0 0 0  
Cost of sales 0 0 0 0  
Gross profit 0 0 0 0  
Selling, general and administrative expenses 0 0 0 0  
Provision for doubtful accounts 0 0 0 0  
Settlement, litigation and other related charges 0 0 0 0  
Other miscellaneous charges 0 0 0 0  
Operating income 0 0 0 0  
Interest expense, net of investment income 0 0 0 0  
Income before income taxes 0 0 0 0  
Income tax (benefit) expense 0 0 0 0  
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent 0 0 0 0  
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest 0 0 0 0  
Equity of net income (loss) of subsidiaries (82,837) 44,412 (205,887) (99,322)  
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest (82,837) 44,412 (205,887) (99,322)  
ASSETS          
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value 0   0    
Accounts Receivable, Net, Current (92,326)   (92,326)   (313,368)
Inventory, Net 0   0   0
Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance, Current (425)   (425)   (54)
Other Assets, Current 0   0   0
Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current 0   0   0
Total current assets (92,751)   (92,751)   (313,422)
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net 0   0   0
Goodwill 0   0   0
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) 0   0   0
Other Assets, Noncurrent 0   0   0
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Long Lived Assets, Noncurrent 0   0   0
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures (4,952,869)   (4,952,869)   (5,131,280)
Total assets (5,045,620)   (5,045,620)   (5,444,702)
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY          
Current liabilities of continuing operations, excluding current portion of long-term debt (92,326)   (92,326)   (313,368)
Debt, Current 0   0   0
Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current 0   0   0
Temporary Equity, Liquidation Preference 0   0   0
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities 0   0   0
Deferred income tax liabilities (425)   (425)   (54)
Other noncurrent liabilities 0   0   0
Stockholders' equity (4,952,869)   (4,952,869)   (5,131,280)
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (5,045,620)   (5,045,620)   (5,444,702)
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period     0    
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 0   $ 0