Alere 10-Q 5 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Entity Registrant Name	'ALERE INC.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001145460	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	81,881,428

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net product sales	$509,038	$459,813	$1,538,876	$1,399,025
Services revenue	240,660	226,415	705,127	652,704
Net product sales and services revenue	749,698	686,228	2,244,003	2,051,729
License and royalty revenue	4,184	5,188	13,113	11,333
Net revenue	753,882	691,416	2,257,116	2,063,062
Cost of net product sales	258,234	223,612	764,501	671,664
Cost of services revenue	124,993	120,131	369,961	331,550
Cost of net product sales and services revenue	383,227	343,743	1,134,462	1,003,214
Cost of license and royalty revenue	2,009	1,898	5,264	5,394
Cost of net revenue	385,236	345,641	1,139,726	1,008,608
Gross profit	368,646	345,775	1,117,390	1,054,454
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Research and development	40,498	40,562	122,452	120,009
Sales and marketing	159,587	160,644	475,465	478,544
General and administrative	142,377	105,837	418,396	347,757
Loss on disposition	5,885	'	5,885	'
Operating income (loss)	20,299	38,732	95,192	108,144
Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs	-53,420	-54,861	-203,272	-161,119
Other income (expense), net	-8,869	-1,072	-8,276	14,570
Loss before benefit for income taxes	-41,990	-17,201	-116,356	-38,405
Benefit for income taxes	-17,148	-10,677	-36,152	-12,621
Loss before equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	-24,842	-6,524	-80,204	-25,784
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	5,753	3,007	13,238	10,417
Net income (loss)	-19,089	-3,517	-66,966	-15,367
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	359	286	601	137
Net loss attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	-19,448	-3,803	-67,567	-15,504
Preferred stock dividends	-5,367	-5,352	-15,926	-15,940
Net loss available to common stockholders	($24,815)	($9,155)	($83,493)	($31,444)
Basic and diluted net loss per common share attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries:	($0.30)	($0.11)	($1.03)	($0.39)
Weighted-average shares-basic and diluted	81,735	80,792	81,417	80,492

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	($19,089)	($3,517)	($66,966)	($15,367)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:	'	'	'	'
Changes in cumulative translation adjustment	67,268	39,695	-42,515	38,857
Unrealized gains on available for sale securities	'	141	'	931
Unrealized gains on hedging instruments	20	10	31	465
Minimum pension liability adjustment	-369	-98	335	-218
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	66,919	39,748	-42,149	40,035
Income tax benefit related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	'	360	'	360
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	66,919	39,388	-42,149	39,675
Comprehensive income (loss)	47,830	35,871	-109,115	24,308
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests	359	286	601	137
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	$47,471	$35,585	($109,716)	$24,171

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$353,993	$328,346
Restricted cash	7,905	3,076
Marketable securities	820	904
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $70,978 and $36,396 at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	568,873	524,332
Inventories, net	370,448	337,121
Deferred tax assets	58,177	67,722
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	114,601	145,236
Total current assets	1,474,817	1,406,737
Property, plant and equipment, net	544,271	534,469
Goodwill	3,103,495	3,048,405
Other intangible assets with indefinite lives	58,953	36,451
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	1,747,538	1,834,225
Restricted cash - non-current	29,045	'
Deferred financing costs, net, and other non-current assets	86,489	108,857
Investments in unconsolidated entities	101,822	90,491
Deferred tax assets	8,189	8,293
Total assets	7,154,619	7,067,928
Current liabilities:	'	'
Short-term debt	25	'
Current portion of long-term debt	47,701	60,232
Current portion of capital lease obligations	6,533	6,684
Accounts payable	194,991	169,974
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	447,228	411,919
Total current liabilities	696,478	648,809
Long-term liabilities:	'	'
Long-term debt, net of current portion	3,790,532	3,628,675
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion	14,926	12,917
Deferred tax liabilities	352,859	428,188
Other long-term liabilities	209,683	166,635
Total long-term liabilities	4,368,000	4,236,415
Commitments and contingencies (Note 17)	'	'
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Series B preferred stock, $0.001 par value (liquidation preference: $709,763 at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012); Authorized: 2,300 shares; Issued: 2,065 shares at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012; Outstanding: 1,774 shares at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012	606,468	606,468
Common stock, $0.001 par value; Authorized: 200,000 shares; Issued: 89,533 shares at September 30, 2013 and 88,576 shares at December 31, 2012; Outstanding: 81,854 shares at September 30, 2013 and 80,897 shares at December 31, 2012	90	89
Additional paid-in capital	3,314,698	3,299,935
Accumulated deficit	-1,632,540	-1,564,973
Treasury stock, at cost, 7,679 shares at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012	-184,971	-184,971
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-18,275	23,874
Total stockholders' equity	2,085,470	2,180,422
Non-controlling interests	4,671	2,282
Total equity	2,090,141	2,182,704
Total liabilities and equity	$7,154,619	$7,067,928

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Accounts receivable, allowances	$70,978	$36,396
Series B preferred stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Series B preferred stock, liquidation preference	$709,763	$709,763
Series B preferred stock, shares authorized	2,300	2,300
Series B preferred stock, shares issued	2,065	2,065
Series B preferred stock, shares outstanding	1,774	1,774
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	200,000	200,000
Common stock, shares issued	89,533	88,576
Common stock, shares outstanding	81,854	80,897
Treasury stock, shares	7,679	7,679

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:	'	'
Net income (loss)	($66,966)	($15,367)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Non-cash interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and write-off of deferred financing costs	14,088	16,087
Depreciation and amortization	326,689	322,371
Non-cash charges for sale of inventories revalued at the date of acquisition	1,880	4,681
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	14,462	11,868
Impairment of inventory	243	295
Impairment of long-lived assets	4,101	274
(Gain) loss on sale of fixed assets	1,849	-4,194
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	-13,238	-10,417
Deferred income taxes	-73,655	-43,619
Loss on extinguishment of debt	35,603	'
Loss on disposition	5,885	'
Bargain purchase gain	-5,707	'
Other non-cash items	6,674	5,736
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	-57,310	-8,261
Inventories, net	-72,727	-15,596
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-9,132	4,171
Accounts payable	15,981	-16,743
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	37,242	24,116
Other non-current liabilities	-6,857	-21,639
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	159,105	253,763
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	-33,881	5,771
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-90,908	-97,309
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	5,831	22,383
Cash received from disposition	32,000	'
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-166,196	-384,780
Cash received from sales of marketable securities	'	271
Cash received from (paid for) equity method investments	11,262	6,556
(Increase) decrease in other assets	19,244	-9,313
Net cash used in investing activities	-222,648	-456,421
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:	'	'
Cash paid for financing costs	-9,798	-2,313
Cash paid for contingent purchase price consideration	-27,496	-16,248
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs	17,555	14,260
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	460,141	198,288
Payments on long-term debt	-455,157	-42,553
Net proceeds under revolving credit facilities	138,768	91,162
Borrowings from (payments on) short-term debt	25	-6,240
Cash paid for dividends	-15,970	-15,970
Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options	434	277
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	-5,341	-4,925
Other	-18,953	-2,811
Net cash provided by financing activities	84,208	212,927
Foreign exchange effect on cash and cash equivalents	4,982	-7,188
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	25,647	3,081
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	328,346	299,173
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$353,993	$302,254

Basis_of_Presentation_of_Finan

Basis of Presentation of Financial Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation of Financial Information	'
	(1) Basis of Presentation of Financial Information
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Alere Inc. are unaudited. In the opinion of management, the unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments considered normal and recurring and necessary for their fair statement. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the year. These interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, these consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes necessary for a complete presentation of financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income and cash flows. Our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012 included information and footnotes necessary for such presentation and were included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, on March 1, 2013. These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2012.
	Certain reclassifications of prior period amounts have been made to conform to current period presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on net income or equity.
	Certain amounts presented may not recalculate directly, due to rounding.

Cash_and_Cash_Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Abstract]	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	(2) Cash and Cash Equivalents
	We consider all highly-liquid cash investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of acquisition to be cash equivalents. At September 30, 2013, our cash equivalents consisted of money market funds.

Restricted_Cash

Restricted Cash	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Restricted Cash	'
	(3) Restricted Cash
	As of September 30, 2013, we had a total of $36.9 million in restricted cash, of which $29.0 million was classified as non-current on our consolidated balance sheet. The $29.0 million secures a foreign bank loan arrangement that we entered into during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and will remain on deposit for a two-year period under the current terms of the loan arrangement.

Inventories

Inventories	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	(4) Inventories
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first in, first out) or market and are comprised of the following (in thousands):
		September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
	Raw materials	$	115,441	$	99,498
	Work-in-process		83,571		89,895
	Finished goods		171,436		147,728
		$	370,448	$	337,121

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	(5) Stock-based Compensation
	We recorded stock-based compensation expense in our consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Cost of net revenue	$	287		$	269		$	797		$	801
	Research and development		1,111			752			2,641			2,379
	Sales and marketing		975			751			2,597			2,581
	General and administrative		3,289			1,854			8,427			6,107
			5,662			3,626			14,462			11,868
	Benefit for income taxes		(1,511	)		(536	)		(2,869	)		(1,951	)
		$	4,151		$	3,090		$	11,593		$	9,917

Net_Loss_Per_Common_Share

Net Loss Per Common Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Net Loss Per Common Share	'
	(6) Net Loss per Common Share
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per common share for the periods presented (in thousands, except per share data):
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Numerator:
	Net loss	$	(19,089	)	$	(3,517	)	$	(66,966	)	$	(15,367	)
	Preferred stock dividends		(5,367	)		(5,352	)		(15,926	)		(15,940	)
	Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interest		359			286			601			137
	Net loss available to common stockholders	$	(24,815	)	$	(9,155	)	$	(83,493	)	$	(31,444	)
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding—basic and diluted		81,735			80,792			81,417			80,492
	Basic and diluted net loss per common share attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	$	(0.30	)	$	(0.11	)	$	(1.03	)	$	(0.39	)
	The following potential dilutive securities were not included in the calculation of diluted net loss per common share because the inclusion thereof would be antidilutive (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Denominator:
	Options to purchase shares of common stock		10,239			9,730			10,239			9,730
	Warrants		4			4			4			4
	Conversion shares related to 3% convertible senior subordinated notes		3,411			3,411			3,411			3,411
	Conversion shares related to subordinated convertible promissory notes		27			27			27			27
	Conversion shares related to Series B convertible preferred stock		10,239			10,239			10,239			10,239
	Total number of antidilutive potentially issuable shares of common stock excluded from diluted common shares outstanding		23,920			23,411			23,920			23,411

Stockholders_Equity_and_NonCon

Stockholders' Equity and Non-Controlling Interests	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity and Non-Controlling Interests	'
	(7) Stockholders’ Equity and Non-controlling Interests
	(a) Preferred Stock
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, Series B preferred stock dividends amounted to $5.3 million and $15.9 million, respectively, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, Series B preferred stock dividends amounted to $5.4 million and $15.9 million, respectively, which reduced earnings available to common stockholders for purposes of calculating net loss per common share for each of the respective periods. As of September 30, 2013, $5.3 million of Series B preferred stock dividends was accrued. As of October 15, 2013, payments have been made covering all dividend periods through September 30, 2013.
	The Series B preferred stock dividends for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were paid in cash.
	(b) Changes in Stockholders’ Equity and Non-controlling Interests
	A summary of the changes in stockholders’ equity and non-controlling interests comprising total equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 is provided below (in thousands):
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013								2012
		Total			Non-		Total			Total			Non-			Total
		Stockholders’			controlling		Equity			Stockholders’			controlling			Equity
		Equity			Interests					Equity			Interests
	Equity, beginning of period	$	2,180,422		$	2,282	$	2,182,704		$	2,229,234		$	2,340		$	2,231,574
	Exercise of common stock options, warrants and shares issued under employee stock purchase plan		17,555			—		17,555			14,261			—			14,261
	Issuance of common stock for settlement of an acquisition-related contingent consideration obligation		—			—		—			1,243			—			1,243
	Preferred stock dividends		(15,970	)		—		(15,970	)		(15,970	)		—			(15,970	)
	Stock-based compensation related to grants of common stock options		14,462			—		14,462			11,868			—			11,868
	Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options		(1,283	)		—		(1,283	)		(437	)		—			(437	)
	Non-controlling interest from acquisition		—			1,788		1,788			—			—			—
	Purchase of subsidiary shares from non-controlling interests		—			—		—			(35,079	)		—			(35,079	)
	Dividend relating to non-controlling interest		—			—		—			—			(236	)		(236	)
	Net income (loss)		(67,567	)		601		(66,966	)		(15,504	)		200			(15,304	)
	Total other comprehensive income (loss)		(42,149	)		—		(42,149	)		39,675			—			39,675
	Equity, end of period	$	2,085,470		$	4,671	$	2,090,141		$	2,229,291		$	2,304		$	2,231,595

Business_Combinations

Business Combinations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Business Combinations	'
	(8) Business Combinations
	Acquisitions are accounted for using the acquisition method and the acquired companies’ results have been included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements from their respective dates of acquisition. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, we expensed acquisition-related costs of $0.5 million and $1.8 million, respectively, in general and administrative expense. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, we expensed acquisition-related costs of $0.8 million and $6.1 million, respectively, in general and administrative expense.
	Our business acquisitions have historically been made at prices above the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, resulting in goodwill, based on our expectations of synergies and other benefits of combining the businesses. These synergies and benefits include elimination of redundant facilities, functions and staffing; use of our existing commercial infrastructure to expand sales of the products of the acquired businesses; and use of the commercial infrastructure of the acquired businesses to expand product sales in a cost-efficient manner.
	Net assets acquired are recorded at their fair value and are subject to adjustment upon finalization of the fair value analysis. We are not aware of any information that indicates the final fair value analysis will differ materially from the preliminary estimates. The estimated useful lives of the individual categories of intangible assets were based on the nature of the applicable intangible asset and the expected future cash flows to be derived from the intangible asset. Amortization of intangible assets with finite lives is recognized over the shorter of the respective lives of the agreement or the period of time the intangible assets are expected to contribute to future cash flows. We amortize our finite-lived intangible assets based on patterns on which the respective economic benefits are expected to be realized.
	(a) Acquisitions in 2013
	(i) Epocal
	On February 1, 2013, we acquired Epocal, Inc., or Epocal, located in Ottawa, Canada, a provider of technologies that support blood gas and electrolyte testing at the point of care. The preliminary aggregate purchase price was approximately $248.5 million, which consisted of $173.5 million in cash and a contingent consideration obligation with an aggregate acquisition date fair value of $75.0 million. The operating results of Epocal are included in our professional diagnostics reporting unit and business segment. The amount allocated to goodwill from this acquisition is not deductible for tax purposes.
	(ii) Other acquisitions in 2013
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we acquired the following businesses for a preliminary aggregate purchase price of $47.7 million, which included cash payments totaling $35.8 million, contingent consideration obligations with an aggregate acquisition date fair value of $1.3 million, deferred purchase price consideration with an acquisition date fair value of $0.6 million and an $8.0 million bargain purchase gain.
		•		certain assets of PT Mega Medika Mandiri, or Mega Medika, located in South Jakarta, Indonesia, a distributor of infectious disease products to the Indonesian marketplace as well as materials for vaccines to a pharmaceutical customer (Acquired January 2013)
		•		Discount Diabetic, LLC, or Discount Diabetic, located in Phoenix, Arizona, a provider of blood glucose monitoring products, including diabetes testing systems and test strips and other products (Acquired April 2013)
		•		the Medicare fee for service assets of Liberty Medical, or the Liberty business, located in Port St. Lucie, Florida, a leading mail order provider of diabetes testing supplies serving the needs of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetic patients (Acquired April 2013)
		•		51% share in Cardio Selfcare B.V., subsequently renamed Alere Health Services B.V., or Alere Health Services, located in Ede, the Netherlands, a developer of innovative software for the healthcare industry that develops and licenses software and sells medical devices to enable patients to perform medical self-care, including thrombosis self-care (Acquired May 2013)
		•		74.9% interest in Pantech Proprietary Limited, or Pantech, located in Durban, South Africa, a supplier of rapid diagnostic test kits, including HIV, malaria, syphilis, drugs of abuse, 10 parameter urine sticks, glucometers and glucose sticks (Acquired July 2013)
	The operating results of Mega Medika, Discount Diabetic, the Liberty business, Alere Health Services, and Pantech are included in our professional diagnostics reporting unit and business segment.
	Our consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 included revenue totaling approximately $26.6 million and $59.5 million, respectively, related to these businesses. Goodwill has been recognized in the Mega Medika, Alere Health Services and Pantech acquisitions and amounted to approximately $1.6 million. The goodwill related to the Mega Medika acquisition is deductible for tax purposes.
	With respect to our acquisition of the Liberty business, the purchase price of the acquisition has been allocated to the net tangible and intangible assets acquired, with the excess of the fair value of assets acquired over the purchase price recorded as a bargain purchase gain. The $8.0 million bargain purchase gain has been recorded in other income (expense), net in our consolidated statement of operations and is not recognized for tax purposes. The bargain purchase gain resulted from our operating cost structure which we believe will allow us to operate this business more cost effectively than the sellers.
	A summary of the preliminary fair values of the net assets acquired for the acquisitions consummated in 2013 is as follows (in thousands):
			Epocal		Other		Total
	Current assets(1)		$	12,089	$	12,968	$	25,057
	Property, plant and equipment			1,267		1,669		2,936
	Goodwill			99,449		1,629		101,078
	Intangible assets			164,400		42,920		207,320
	Other non-current assets			17,610		29		17,639
	Total assets acquired			294,815		59,215		354,030
	Current liabilities			2,627		5,398		8,025
	Non-current liabilities			43,727		6,202		49,929
	Total liabilities assumed			46,354		11,600		57,954
	Net assets acquired			248,461		47,615		296,076
	Less:
	Contingent consideration			75,000		1,264		76,264
	Non-controlling interest			—		1,774		1,774
	Bargain purchase gain			—		8,023		8,023
	Deferred purchase price consideration			—		768		768
	Cash paid		$	173,461	$	35,786	$	209,247
	(1)	Includes approximately $3.3 million of acquired cash.
	The following are the intangible assets acquired and their respective fair values and weighted-average useful lives (dollars in thousands):
			Epocal		Other		Total		Weighted-
									average
									Useful Life
	Core technology and patents		$	119,700	$	—	$	119,700		20.0 years
	Software			—		804		804		10.0 years
	Trademarks and trade names			20,500		10		20,510		19.2 years
	Customer relationships			—		36,290		36,290		11.4 years
	Other			—		5,816		5,816		3.0 years
	In-process research and development			24,200		—		24,200		N/A
	Total intangible assets		$	164,400	$	42,920	$	207,320
	(b) Acquisitions in 2012
	During 2012, we acquired the following businesses for a preliminary aggregate purchase price of $494.5 million, which included cash payments totaling $418.9 million and contingent consideration obligations with aggregate acquisition date fair values of $75.6 million.
		•		Reatrol Comercializacao De Produtos De Saude, LDA, subsequently renamed Alere Lda, located in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal, a distributor of products for drugs of abuse testing (Acquired January 2012)
		•		Kullgren Holding AB, or Kullgren, located in Gensta, Sweden, a company that manufactures and distributes high-quality intimacy and pharmaceutical products (Acquired February 2012)
		•		Wellogic ME FZ-LLC, or Wellogic UAE, located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, a company that provides development services to Alere Wellogic, LLC, which acquired the assets of Method Factory, Inc. (d/b/a Wellogic), or Wellogic, in December 2011 (Acquired February 2012)
		•		certain assets, primarily including customer and patient lists, of AmMed Direct LLC, or AmMed, located near Nashville, Tennessee, a privately-owned mail-order provider of home-diabetes testing products and supplies (Acquired March 2012)
		•		eScreen, Inc., or eScreen, headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, a technology-enabled provider of employment drug screening solutions for hiring and maintaining healthier and more efficient workforces (Acquired April 2012)
		•		MedApps Holding Company, Inc., or MedApps, headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, a developer of innovative remote health monitoring solutions that deliver efficient cost-effective connectivity between patient, care provider and electronic medical records (Acquired July 2012)
		•		Amedica Biotech, Inc., or Amedica, located in Hayward, California, a company focused on the development and manufacture of in vitro diagnostic tests (Acquired July 2012)
		•		DiagnosisOne, Inc., or DiagnosisOne, located in Lowell, Massachusetts, a software company that provides clinical analytics technology and data-driven content to hospitals, physician groups, insurers and governments (Acquired July 2012)
		•		Seelen Care Laege-og & Hospitalsartikler ApS, or Seelen, located in Holstebro, Denmark, a distributor of consumables, instruments and equipment to doctors, specialists and physiotherapists (Acquired August 2012)
		•		certain assets of Diagnostik Nord, or Diagnostik, located in Schwerin, Germany, a company focused on the sale of drug screening and in vitro diagnostic medical devices and a provider of diagnostic solutions (Acquired September 2012)
		•		Healthcare Connections Limited, or HCC, located in Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom, an occupational health provider specializing in employment medical programs, preventative health schemes and drug and alcohol sample collection services (Acquired November 2012)
		•		the diagnostic division of Medial spol. s.r.o., subsequently renamed Alere s.r.o., located in Prague, Czech Republic, a distributor of laboratory diagnostic devices, devices operating in the point-of-care testing regime, diagnostic kits and tests for biochemistry, hematology, and microbiology (Acquired November 2012)
		•		certain assets of Quantum Diagnostics, or Quantum Australia, located in Australia, an on-line medical supply company that provides a range of affordable drug and alcohol tests for personal, business and professional medical use (Acquired November 2012)
		•		certain assets of NationsHealth, Inc. (now named Convey Health Solutions, Inc.) and certain assets of its subsidiary United States Pharmaceutical Group, LLC (now d/b/a Convey Health Solutions), or, collectively, NationsHealth, headquartered in Sunrise, Florida, a privately-owned mail-order provider of diabetes home-testing products and supplies, and a share acquisition of NationsHealth’s subsidiary in the Philippines, or NationsHealth Philippines (Acquired December 2012)
	•		Branan Medical Corporation, or Branan, headquartered in Irvine, California, a manufacturer of drugs of abuse testing products (Acquired December 2012)
The operating results of Alere Lda, AmMed, eScreen, MedApps, Amedica, Seelen, Diagnostik, HCC, Alere s.r.o., Quantum Australia, NationsHealth and Branan are included in our professional diagnostics reporting unit and business segment. The operating results of Wellogic UAE and DiagnosisOne are included in our health information solutions reporting unit and business segment. The operating results of Kullgren are included in our consumer diagnostics reporting unit and business segment.
Our consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 included revenue totaling approximately $14.4 million and $26.3 million, respectively, related to the businesses that were acquired during that period. Goodwill has been recognized in all of these acquisitions and amounted to approximately $239.3 million. Goodwill related to the acquisitions of AmMed, Diagnostik and the U.S.-based assets of NationsHealth, which totaled $8.2 million, is deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill related to the remaining 2012 acquisitions is not deductible for tax purposes.
A summary of the preliminary fair values of the net assets acquired for the acquisitions consummated in 2012 is as follows (in thousands):
Current assets(1)		$	47,228
Property, plant and equipment			9,029
Goodwill			240,576
Intangible assets			325,223
Other non-current assets			17,261
Total assets acquired			639,317
Current liabilities			28,214
Non-current liabilities			116,580
Total liabilities assumed			144,794
Net assets acquired			494,523
Less:
Contingent consideration			75,620
Cash paid		$	418,903
(1)	Includes approximately $3.8 million of acquired cash.
The following are the intangible assets acquired and their respective fair values and weighted-average useful lives (dollars in thousands):
		Amount		Weighted-
				average
				Useful Life
Core technology and patents		$	148,103		18.7 years
Trademarks and trade names			19,390		18.3 years
Customer relationships			136,485		18.1 years
Non-competition agreements			1,118		5.1 years
Other			15,227		9.2 years
In-process research and development			4,900		N/A
Total intangible assets		$	325,223

Restructuring_Plans

Restructuring Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Restructuring Plans	'
	(9) Restructuring Plans
	The following table sets forth aggregate restructuring charges recorded in our consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
			Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	Statement of Operations Caption		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Cost of net revenue		$	3,556		$	1,080		$	4,908		$	2,069
	Research and development			1,100			—			1,745			638
	Sales and marketing			218			927			1,476			1,954
	General and administrative			2,820			1,232			11,501			5,471
	Total operating expenses			7,694			3,239			19,630			10,132
	Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs			111			48			228			158
	Total charges		$	7,805		$	3,287		$	19,858		$	10,290
	(a) 2013 Restructuring Plans
	In 2013, management developed cost reduction efforts within our professional diagnostics business segment, including businesses in our United States, Europe and Asia Pacific regions. Additionally, management is continuing to improve efficiencies within our health information solutions business segment, including winding down a small portion of this business, which resulted in charges associated with the impairment of related fixed and intangible assets. The following table summarizes the restructuring activities related to our 2013 restructuring plans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
			Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
			Professional			Health			Total
			Diagnostics			Information
						Solutions
	Severance-related costs		$	3,876		$	1,340		$	5,216
	Facility and transition costs			1,107			327			1,434
	Other exit costs			—			2			2
	Cash charges			4,983			1,669			6,652
	Fixed asset and inventory impairments			470			—			470
	Other non-cash charges			—			(20	)		(20	)
	Total charges		$	5,453		$	1,649		$	7,102
			Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
			Professional			Health			Total
			Diagnostics			Information
						Solutions
	Severance-related costs		$	5,960		$	1,398		$	7,358
	Facility and transition costs			1,457			568			2,025
	Other exit costs			—			2			2
	Cash charges			7,417			1,968			9,385
	Fixed asset and inventory impairments			470			170			640
	Intangible asset impairments			—			2,596			2,596
	Other non-cash charges			—			(20	)		(20	)
	Total charges		$	7,887		$	4,714		$	12,601
	We anticipate incurring approximately $1.1 million and $0.3 million in additional costs under our 2013 restructuring plans related to our professional diagnostics business and health information solutions business segments, respectively, in the United States and Europe and may develop additional plans over the remainder of 2013. As of September 30, 2013, $4.7 million in severance and facility exit costs arising under our 2013 restructuring plans remain unpaid.
	(b) 2012 Restructuring Plans
	In 2012, management developed cost reduction plans within our professional diagnostics business segment, including the integration of our businesses in Brazil, Europe and the United States. Additionally, management developed new plans to continue our efforts to reduce costs within our health information solutions business segment, including the termination of certain projects, which resulted in charges for the impairment of related fixed and intangible assets. The following table summarizes the restructuring activities related to our 2012 restructuring plans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 and since inception (in thousands):
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended						Since
			September 30,						September 30,						Inception
	Professional Diagnostics		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Severance-related costs(1)		$	(614	)	$	691		$	(526	)	$	3,009		$	4,206
	Facility and transition costs			—			—			82			—			201
	Cash charges			(614	)		691			(444	)		3,009			4,407
	Fixed asset impairments			—			55			—			55			304
	Total charges		$	(614	)	$	746		$	(444	)	$	3,064		$	4,711
	-1	Severance-related costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 includes the reversal of an amount previously accrued which relates to a settlement resulting from a labor dispute.
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended						Since
			September 30,						September 30,						Inception
	Health Information Solutions		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Severance-related costs		$	14		$	516		$	2,362		$	1,735		$	5,407
	Facility and transition costs			—			465			4,271			590			5,505
	Other exit costs			82			5			134			5			149
	Cash charges			96			986			6,767			2,330			11,061
	Fixed asset and inventory impairments			—			—			75			—			2,764
	Intangible asset impairments			—			—			—			—			2,988
	Other non-cash charges			—			—			(953	)		—			(984	)
	Total charges		$	96		$	986		$	5,889		$	2,330		$	15,829
	We anticipate incurring approximately $0.5 million in additional transition and other facility costs under these plans related primarily to our health information solutions business segment through 2014. As of September 30, 2013, $3.8 million in severance and facility exit costs under these plans remain unpaid.
	(c) 2011, 2010 and 2008 Restructuring Plans
	In 2011, management executed a company-wide cost reduction plan which impacted our corporate and other business segment, as well as the health information solutions and professional diagnostics business segments. Management also developed plans within our professional diagnostics business segment to consolidate operating activities among certain of our U.S., European and Asia Pacific subsidiaries, including transferring the manufacturing of our Panbio products from Australia to our Standard Diagnostics facility in South Korea and eliminating redundant costs among our newly-acquired Axis-Shield subsidiaries. Additionally, within our health information solutions business segment, management executed plans to further reduce costs and improve efficiencies, as well as cease operations at our GeneCare Medical Genetics Center, Inc., or GeneCare, facility in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and transfer the majority of our Quality Assured Services, Inc. operation in Orlando, Florida to our facility in Livermore, California.
	In 2010, management developed several plans to reduce costs and improve efficiencies within our health information solutions and professional diagnostics business segments. Additionally in 2008, management developed and initiated plans to transition the business of Cholestech to our San Diego, California facility.
The following table summarizes the restructuring activities related to our 2011, 2010 and 2008 restructuring plans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 and since inception (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended						Since
		September 30,						September 30,						Inception
Professional Diagnostics		2013			2012			2013			2012
Severance-related costs		$	46		$	639		$	242		$	2,914		$	19,955
Facility and transition costs			112			464			442			1,348			7,669
Other exit costs			14			16			45			52			743
Cash charges			172			1,119			729			4,314			28,367
Fixed asset and inventory impairments			350			290			350			424			6,724
Intangible asset impairments			686			—			686			—			686
Total charges		$	1,208		$	1,409		$	1,765		$	4,738		$	35,777
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended						Since
		September 30,						September 30,						Inception
Health Information Solutions		2013			2012			2013			2012
Severance-related costs		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	6,901
Facility and transition costs			—			114			—			(59	)		8,010
Other exit costs			13			27			47			101			559
Cash charges			13			141			47			42			15,470
Fixed asset and inventory impairments			—			—			—			85			1,114
Intangible asset impairments			—			—			—			—			2,935
Other non-cash charges			—			—			—			—			761
Total charges		$	13		$	141		$	47		$	127		$	20,280
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended						Since
		September 30,						September 30,						Inception
Corporate and Other		2013			2012			2013			2012
Severance-related costs		$	—		$	5		$	—		$	31		$	1,219
Cash charges			—			5			—			31			1,219
Fixed asset and inventory impairments			—			—			—			—			3
Total charges		$	—		$	5		$	—		$	31		$	1,222
We anticipate incurring approximately $0.5 million in additional costs under these plans related primarily to our professional diagnostics business segment. A majority of these additional costs relate to the transfer of the Panbio product manufacturing to Korea and are for severance and facility exit costs. We do not anticipate incurring significant additional costs under these plans related to our health information solutions business segment. As of September 30, 2013, $2.2 million in cash charges remain unpaid, primarily related to severance and facility lease obligations.
(d) Restructuring Reserves
The following table summarizes our restructuring reserves related to the plans described above, of which $8.7 million is included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities and $2.0 million is included in other long-term liabilities on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):
		Severance-			Facility and			Other Exit			Total
		related			Transition			Costs
		Costs			Costs
Balance, December 31, 2012		$	3,167		$	2,429		$	622		$	6,218
Cash charges			9,436			6,820			228			16,484
Payments			(7,515	)		(4,149	)		(227	)		(11,891	)
Currency adjustments			(72	)		5			—			(67	)
Balance, September 30, 2013		$	5,016		$	5,105		$	623		$	10,744

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-Term Debt	'
	(10) Long-term Debt
	We had the following long-term debt balances outstanding (in thousands):
			September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	A term loans(1)(2)		$	843,750		$	878,438
	B term loans(1)			906,500			913,438
	Incremental B-1 term loans(1)			245,625			247,500
	Incremental B-2 term loans(1)			195,470			196,739
	Revolving line of credit(1)			170,000			22,500
	7.25% Senior notes			450,000			450,000
	7.875% Senior notes			—			1,809
	9% Senior subordinated notes			—			392,933
	8.625% Senior subordinated notes			400,000			400,000
	6.5% Senior subordinated notes			425,000			—
	3% Convertible senior subordinated notes			150,000			150,000
	Other lines of credit			150			31,957
	Other			51,738			3,593
				3,838,233			3,688,907
	Less: Current portion			(47,701	)		(60,232	)
			$	3,790,532		$	3,628,675
	(1)	Incurred under our secured credit facility.
	(2)	Includes “A” term loans and “Delayed Draw” term loans under our secured credit facility.
	In connection with our significant long-term debt issuances, we recorded interest expense, including amortization and write-offs of deferred financing costs and original issue discounts, in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, as follows (in thousands):
			Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2013			2012			2013		2012
	Secured credit facility (1)		$	25,809		$	27,474		$	78,741	$	77,422
	7.25% Senior notes			8,535			—			25,371		—
	7.875% Senior notes (2)			—			5,763			137		17,276
	9% Senior subordinated notes (3)			—			10,373			54,043		31,090
	8.625% Senior subordinated notes			9,273			9,274			27,820		27,823
	6.5% Senior subordinated notes			7,172			—			10,185		—
	3% Senior subordinated convertible notes			1,246			1,246			3,738		3,738
			$	52,035		$	54,130		$	200,035	$	157,349
	(1)	Includes “A” term loans, including the “Delayed-Draw” term loans; “B” term loans; “Incremental B-1” term loans; “Incremental B-2” term loans; and revolving line of credit loans. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the amounts include $0.4 million and $2.2 million, respectively, related to the amortization of fees paid for certain debt modifications. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the amount includes $1.3 million and $4.0 million, respectively, related to the amortization of fees paid for certain debt modifications.
	(2)	For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, this amount includes an approximate $0.2 million loss recorded in connection with the repurchase of our 7.875% senior notes.
	(3)	An approximate $35.6 million loss in connection with the repurchase of our 9% senior subordinated notes has been included in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013. Included in the $35.6 million is $19.0 million related to tender offer consideration and call premium which has been classified within cash flow from financing activities in our consolidated statement of cash flows.
	(a) Secured Credit Facility
	The following summarizes the material terms of our secured credit facility that have changed significantly since December 31, 2012. All other terms of our secured credit facility as described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2012, but omitted below, have not changed since that date.
	On March 22, 2013, we and certain of our subsidiaries entered into a fourth amendment to the credit agreement that governs our secured credit facility, or the credit agreement. The fourth amendment provides for 50 basis point reductions in the interest rate margins applicable to the “B” term loans, the “Incremental B-1” term loans and the “Incremental B-2” term loans and certain other changes. Under the terms of the credit agreement as amended by the fourth amendment, the “B” term loans, the “Incremental B-1” term loans and the “Incremental B-2” term loans bear interest at a rate per annum of, at our option, either (i) the Base Rate, as defined in the credit agreement, plus an applicable margin, which varies between 2.00% and 2.75% depending on our consolidated secured leverage ratio, or (ii) the Eurodollar Rate, as defined in the credit agreement, plus an applicable margin, which varies between 3.00% and 3.75% depending on our consolidated secured leverage ratio. Interest on “B” term loans, “Incremental B-1” term loans and “Incremental B-2” term loans based on the Eurodollar Rate is subject to a 1.00% floor with respect to the base Eurodollar Rate.
	(b) 6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes
	On May 24, 2013, we sold a total of $425.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.5% senior subordinated notes due 2020, or the 6.5% senior subordinated notes, in a private placement to initial purchasers, who agreed to resell the notes only to qualified institutional buyers and to persons outside the United States. We sold the 6.5% senior subordinated notes at an initial offering price of 100%. Net proceeds from this offering amounted to $417.7 million, which were net of the underwriters’ commissions and offering expenses totaling approximately $7.3 million.
	The 6.5% senior subordinated notes were issued under a supplemental indenture dated May 24, 2013, or the 6.5% Indenture. The 6.5% senior subordinated notes accrue interest at the rate of 6.5% per annum. Interest on the 6.5% senior subordinated notes is payable semi-annually on June 15 and December 15, beginning on December 15, 2013. The 6.5% senior subordinated notes mature on June 15, 2020, unless earlier redeemed.
	We may, at our option, redeem the 6.5% senior subordinated notes, in whole or part, at any time (which may be more than once) on or after June 15, 2016, by paying the principal amount of the notes being redeemed plus a declining premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest to (but excluding) the redemption date. The premium declines from 3.250% during the twelve months on and after June 15, 2016 to 1.625% during the twelve months on and after June 15, 2017 to zero on and after June 15, 2018. In addition, we may, at our option, at any time (which may be more than once) before May 24, 2015, redeem up to 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the 6.5% senior subordinated notes in each of the two twelve-month periods preceding May 24, 2015 at a redemption price of 103% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest to (but excluding) the redemption date. In addition, at any time (which may be more than once) prior to June 15, 2016, we may, at our option, redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 6.5% senior subordinated notes with money that we raise in certain equity offerings, so long as (i) we pay 106.5% of the principal amount of the notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to (but excluding) the redemption date; (ii) we redeem the 6.5% senior subordinated notes within 90 days of completing such equity offering; and (iii) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the 6.5% senior subordinated notes remains outstanding afterwards. In addition, at any time (which may be more than once) prior to June 15, 2016, we may, at our option, redeem some or all of the 6.5% senior subordinated notes by paying the principal amount of the 6.5% senior subordinated notes being redeemed plus a make-whole premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest to (but excluding) the redemption date.
	If a change of control occurs, subject to specified conditions, we must give holders of the 6.5% senior subordinated notes an opportunity to sell their notes to us at a purchase price of 101% of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to (but excluding) the date of the purchase.
	If we or our subsidiaries engage in asset sales, we or they generally must either invest the net cash proceeds from such sales in our or their businesses within a specified period of time, repay senior indebtedness or make an offer to purchase a principal amount of the 6.5% senior subordinated notes equal to the excess net cash proceeds, subject to certain exceptions. The purchase price of the 6.5% senior subordinated notes would be 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest.
	The 6.5% Indenture provides that we and our subsidiaries must comply with various customary covenants. These covenants limit our ability, and the ability of our subsidiaries, to, among other things, incur additional debt; pay dividends on our or their capital stock or redeem, repurchase or retire our or their capital stock or subordinated debt; make certain investments; create liens on assets; transfer or sell assets; engage in transactions with our or their affiliates; create restrictions on the ability of our or their subsidiaries to pay dividends or make loans, asset transfers or other payments to us and our subsidiaries; issue capital stock of subsidiaries; engage in any business, other than our or their existing businesses and related businesses; enter into sale and leaseback transactions; incur layered indebtedness; and consolidate or merge with any person (other than certain affiliates) or transfer all or substantially all of our assets or the aggregate assets of us and our subsidiaries. These covenants are subject to certain important exceptions and qualifications, which are set forth in the 6.5% Indenture. At any time the 6.5% senior subordinated notes are rated investment grade, certain covenants will be suspended with respect to them.
	The 6.5% Indenture contains customary events of default entitling the trustee or the holders of the 6.5% senior subordinated notes to declare all amounts owed pursuant to the 6.5% senior subordinated notes immediately payable if any such event of default occurs.
	The 6.5% senior subordinated notes are our senior subordinated unsecured obligations, are subordinated in right of payment to all of our existing and future senior debt, including our borrowings under our secured credit facility and our 7.25% senior notes, and are equal in right of payment with our 8.625% senior subordinated notes and our 3% convertible senior subordinated notes. Our obligations under the 6.5% senior subordinated notes and the 6.5% Indenture are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior subordinated unsecured basis by certain of our domestic subsidiaries, and the obligations of such domestic subsidiaries under their guarantees are subordinated in right of payment to all of their existing and future senior debt. See Note 21 for guarantor financial information.
	(c) 9% Senior Subordinated Notes
	On May 24, 2013, we used $200.6 million of the net proceeds of our sale of the 6.5% senior subordinated notes to purchase $190.6 million outstanding principal amount of our 9% senior subordinated notes due 2016, or the 9% senior subordinated notes, pursuant to our tender offer for these notes. The purchased 9% senior subordinated notes represented approximately 47.7% of the total then-outstanding principal amount of the 9% senior subordinated notes.
	On June 24, 2013, we redeemed the remaining $209.4 million outstanding principal amount of the 9% senior subordinated notes pursuant to our optional redemption right under the indenture under which the 9% senior subordinated notes were issued, and we subsequently terminated this indenture.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
	(11) Derivative Financial Instruments
	We may manage our economic and transaction exposure to certain market-based risks through the use of derivative instruments. Our objective for holding derivative instruments has been to reduce volatility of net earnings and cash flows associated with changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. We do not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.
	Foreign Currency Risk
	In connection with our acquisition of Axis-Shield, we acquired a number of foreign currency forward contracts. The specific risk hedged in these contracts was the undiscounted foreign currency spot rate risk on forecasted foreign currency revenue. As of December 31, 2012, all of the acquired foreign currency forward contracts were settled. We report the effective portion of the gain or loss on a cash flow hedge as a component of other comprehensive income, and it was subsequently reclassified into net earnings in the period in which the hedged transaction affected net earnings or the forecasted transaction was no longer probable of occurring.
	The following table summarizes the effect of derivative instruments in our accompanying consolidated statement of operations (in thousands):
	Derivative Instruments	Location of Gain	Amount of Gain		Amount of Gain
		Recognized in Income	Recognized		Recognized
			During the Three		During the Nine
			Months Ended		Months Ended
			September 30,		September 30,
			2012		2012
	Foreign currency forward contracts	Other comprehensive income (loss)	$	10	$	465
	Total gain	Other comprehensive income (loss)	$	10	$	465

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	(12) Fair Value Measurements
	We apply fair value measurement accounting to value our financial assets and liabilities. Fair value measurement accounting provides a framework for measuring fair value under U.S. GAAP and requires expanded disclosures regarding fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. A fair value hierarchy requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs, where available, and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.
	Described below are the three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
	Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2—Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
	Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
	The following tables present information about our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques we utilized to determine such fair value (in thousands):
	Description		September 30, 2013			Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Unobservable Inputs
						Active Markets		Observable Inputs		(Level 3)
						(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Marketable securities		$	820		$	820	$	—	$	—
	Total assets		$	820		$	820	$	—	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Contingent consideration obligations (1)		$	234,559		$	—	$	—	$	234,559
	Total liabilities		$	234,559		$	—	$	—	$	234,559
	Description		December 31, 2012			Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Unobservable Inputs
						Active Markets		Observable Inputs		(Level 3)
						(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Marketable securities		$	904		$	904	$	—	$	—
	Total assets		$	904		$	904	$	—	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Contingent consideration obligations (1)		$	176,172		$	—	$	—	$	176,172
	Total liabilities		$	176,172		$	—	$	—	$	176,172
	(1)	We determine the fair value of the contingent consideration obligations based on a probability-weighted approach derived from earn-out criteria estimates and a probability assessment with respect to the likelihood of achieving the various earn-out criteria. The measurement is based upon significant inputs not observable in the market. Significant increases or decreases in any of these inputs could result in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement. Changes in the fair value of these contingent consideration obligations are recorded as income or expense within operating income in our consolidated statements of operations.
	Changes in the fair value of our Level 3 contingent consideration obligations during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were as follows (in thousands):
	Fair value of contingent consideration obligations, January 1, 2013		$	176,172
	Acquisition date fair value of contingent consideration obligations recorded			76,269
	Net reclassifications			(12	)
	Foreign currency			(150	)
	Payments			(36,703	)
	Present value accretion			7,359
	Adjustments, net (income) expense			11,624
	Fair value of contingent consideration obligations, September 30, 2013		$	234,559
	At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, receivables, accounts payable and other current liabilities approximated their estimated fair values.
	The carrying amount and estimated fair value of our long-term debt were $3.8 billion and $3.9 billion, respectively, at September 30, 2013. The carrying amount and estimated fair value of our long-term debt were $3.7 billion at December 31, 2012. The estimated fair value of our long-term debt was determined using market sources that were derived from available market information (Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy) and may not be representative of actual values that could have been or will be realized in the future.

Defined_Benefit_Pension_Plan

Defined Benefit Pension Plan	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Defined Benefit Pension Plan	'
	(13) Defined Benefit Pension Plan
	Our subsidiary in England, Unipath Ltd., has a defined benefit pension plan established for certain of its employees. The net periodic benefit costs are as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Service cost	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
	Interest cost		182			199			543			596
	Expected return on plan assets		(156	)		(152	)		(465	)		(457	)
	Amortization of prior service costs		103			104			308			312
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	129		$	151		$	386		$	451

Financial_Information_by_Segme

Financial Information by Segment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Financial Information by Segment	'
	(14) Financial Information by Segment
	Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or decision-making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Our chief operating decision-making group is composed of the chief executive officer and members of senior management. Our reportable operating segments are professional diagnostics, health information solutions, consumer diagnostics and corporate and other. Our operating results include license and royalty revenue which are allocated to professional diagnostics and consumer diagnostics on the basis of the original license or royalty agreement. We evaluate performance of our operating segments based on revenue and operating income (loss). Segment information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 is as follows (in thousands):
		Professional		Health			Consumer		Corporate			Total
		Diagnostics		Information			Diagnostics		and
				Solutions					Other
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013:
	Net revenue	$	590,801	$	134,233		$	28,848	$	—		$	753,882
	Operating income (loss)	$	53,189	$	(7,203	)	$	3,347	$	(29,034	)	$	20,299
	Depreciation and amortization	$	88,835	$	22,600		$	1,063	$	287		$	112,785
	Non-cash charge associated with acquired inventory	$	708	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	708
	Restructuring charge	$	6,033	$	1,661		$	—	$	—		$	7,694
	Stock-based compensation	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	5,662		$	5,662
	Loss on disposition	$	5,885	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	5,885
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2012:
	Net revenue	$	531,442	$	135,078		$	24,896	$	—		$	691,416
		Professional		Health			Consumer		Corporate			Total
		Diagnostics		Information			Diagnostics		and
				Solutions					Other
	Operating income (loss)	$	63,298	$	(14,357	)	$	4,615	$	(14,824	)	$	38,732
	Depreciation and amortization	$	85,030	$	24,313		$	1,167	$	239		$	110,749
	Restructuring charge	$	2,139	$	1,095		$	—	$	5		$	3,239
	Stock-based compensation	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	3,626		$	3,626
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013:
	Net revenue	$	1,777,055	$	403,215		$	76,846	$	—		$	2,257,116
	Operating income (loss)	$	185,925	$	(32,855	)	$	9,031	$	(66,909	)	$	95,192
	Depreciation and amortization	$	258,485	$	64,062		$	3,296	$	846		$	326,689
	Non-cash charge associated with acquired inventory	$	1,880	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	1,880
	Restructuring charge	$	9,162	$	10,468		$	—	$	—		$	19,630
	Stock-based compensation	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	14,462		$	14,462
	Loss on disposition	$	5,885	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	5,885
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012:
	Net revenue	$	1,589,909	$	404,452		$	68,701	$	—		$	2,063,062
	Operating income (loss)	$	196,728	$	(46,379	)	$	7,679	$	(49,884	)	$	108,144
	Depreciation and amortization	$	245,911	$	72,152		$	3,604	$	704		$	322,371
	Non-cash charge associated with acquired inventory	$	4,681	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	4,681
	Restructuring charge	$	7,750	$	2,351		$	—	$	31		$	10,132
	Stock-based compensation	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	11,868		$	11,868
	Assets:
	As of September 30, 2013	$	6,243,064	$	555,563		$	213,764	$	142,228		$	7,154,619
	As of December 31, 2012	$	6,214,847	$	593,172		$	192,748	$	67,161		$	7,067,928
	The following tables summarize our net revenue from the professional diagnostics and health information solutions reporting segments by groups of similar products and services for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
	Professional Diagnostics Segment:	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013		2012			2013		2012
	Cardiology	$	116,281	$	122,372		$	349,650	$	386,795
	Infectious disease		172,739		136,561			520,289		425,398
	Toxicology		166,536		156,074			481,469		437,736
	Diabetes		53,150		35,670			178,138		100,628
	Other		78,607		78,077			235,992		230,519
	Net product sales and services revenue		587,313		528,754			1,765,538		1,581,076
	License and royalty revenue		3,488		2,688			11,517		8,833
	Professional diagnostics net revenue	$	590,801	$	531,442		$	1,777,055	$	1,589,909
	Health Information Solutions Segment:	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013		2012			2013		2012
	Disease and case management	$	56,554	$	57,383		$	163,258	$	165,277
	Wellness		22,223		24,290			75,753		80,881
	Women’s & children’s health		28,431		29,136			86,767		90,220
	Patient self-testing services		27,025		24,269			77,437		68,074
	Health information solutions net revenue	$	134,233	$	135,078		$	403,215	$	404,452

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	(15) Related Party Transactions
	In May 2007, we completed the formation of Swiss Precision Diagnostics GmbH, or SPD, our 50/50 joint venture with P&G, for the development, manufacturing, marketing and sale of existing and to-be-developed consumer diagnostic products, outside the cardiology, diabetes and oral care fields. Upon completion of the arrangement to form the joint venture, we ceased to consolidate the operating results of our consumer diagnostic products business related to the joint venture and instead account for our 50% interest in the results of the joint venture under the equity method of accounting.
	We had a net receivable from the joint venture of $3.2 million and $2.3 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. Included in the $3.2 million receivable balance as of September 30, 2013 is approximately $1.9 million of costs incurred in connection with our 2008 SPD-related restructuring plans. Included in the $2.3 million receivable balance as of December 31, 2012 is approximately $1.6 million of costs incurred in connection with our 2008 SPD-related restructuring plans. We have also recorded a long-term receivable totaling approximately $13.0 million and $14.6 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, related to the 2008 SPD-related restructuring plans. Additionally, customer receivables associated with revenue earned after the joint venture was completed have been classified as other receivables within prepaid and other current assets on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets in the amount of $10.0 million and $6.9 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. In connection with the joint venture arrangement, the joint venture bears the collection risk associated with these receivables. Sales to the joint venture under our manufacturing agreement totaled $21.2 million and $56.5 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, and $15.9 million and $47.4 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. Additionally, services revenue generated pursuant to the long-term services agreement with the joint venture totaled $0.3 million and $0.9 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, and $0.3 million and $0.9 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. Sales under our manufacturing agreement and long-term services agreement are included in net product sales and services revenue, respectively, in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
	Under the terms of our product supply agreement, the joint venture purchases products from our manufacturing facilities in the U.K. and China. The joint venture in turn sells a portion of those tests back to us for final assembly and packaging. Once packaged, the tests are sold to P&G for distribution to third-party customers in North America. As a result of these related transactions, we have recorded $10.0 million and $7.3 million of trade receivables which are included in accounts receivable on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, and $25.4 million and $21.3 million of trade accounts payable which are included in accounts payable on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we received $10.8 million and $6.1 million, respectively, in cash from SPD as a return of capital.
	The following table summarizes our related party balances with SPD within our consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):
	Balance Sheet Caption:	September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
	Accounts receivable, net of allowances	$	9,984	$	7,317
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	13,221	$	9,161
	Deferred financing costs, net, and other non-current assets	$	12,955	$	14,629
	Accounts payable	$	25,437	$	21,258

Other_Arrangements

Other Arrangements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Other Arrangements	'
	(16) Other Arrangements
	On February 19, 2013, we entered into an agreement with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, or the Gates Foundation, whereby we were awarded a grant by the Gates Foundation in the amount of $21.6 million to support the development and commercialization of a validated, low-cost, nucleic-acid assay for clinical Tuberculosis, or TB, detection and drug-resistance test cartridges and adaptation of an analyzer platform capable of operation in rudimentary laboratories in low-resource settings. In connection with this agreement, we also entered into a loan agreement with the Gates Foundation, or the Gates Loan Agreement, which provides for the making of subordinated term loans by the Gates Foundation to us from time to time, subject to the achievement of certain milestones, in an aggregate principal amount of up to $20.6 million. Funding under the Gates Loan Agreement will be used in connection with the purchase of equipment for an automated high-throughput manufacturing line and other uses as necessary for the manufacture of the TB and HIV-related products. All loans under the Gates Loan Agreement are evidenced by promissory notes that we have executed and delivered to the Gates Foundation, bear interest at the rate of 3% per annum and, except to the extent earlier repaid by us, mature and are required to be repaid in full on December 31, 2019. As of September 30, 2013, we had borrowed no amounts under the Gates Loan Agreement. As of September 30, 2013, we had received approximately $7.9 million in grant-related funding from the Gates Foundation, which was recorded as restricted cash and deferred grant funding. The deferred grant funding is classified within accrued expenses and other current liabilities on our accompanying consolidated balance sheet. As qualified expenditures are incurred under the terms of the grant, we use the deferred funding to recognize a reduction of our related qualified research and development expenditures. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, we incurred approximately $1.9 million and $4.3 million, respectively, of qualified expenditures, for which we reduced our deferred grant funding balance and recorded an offset to our research and development expenses.

Material_Contingencies

Material Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Material Contingencies	'
	(17) Material Contingencies
	Acquisition-related Contingent Consideration Obligations
	The following summarizes our principal contractual acquisition-related contingent consideration obligations as of September 30, 2013 that have changed significantly since December 31, 2012. Other acquisition-related contingent consideration obligations that were presented in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2012, but which are omitted below, represent those that have not changed significantly since that date.
		•	Accordant
	With respect to Accordant, the terms of the acquisition agreement require us to pay an earn-out upon successfully meeting certain revenue and cash collection targets starting after the second anniversary of the acquisition date and completed prior to the third anniversary of the acquisition date. An earn-out totaling $4.5 million was earned and accrued as of December 31, 2012. A payment of $1.5 million was made during each of the first, second and third quarters of 2013. No further payment obligations are outstanding as of September 30, 2013.
		•	Alere Healthcare
	With respect to Alere Healthcare, the terms of the acquisition agreement require us to pay an earn-out upon successfully meeting certain revenue and operating income targets during each of the calendar years 2010 through 2012. The 2012 portion of the earn-out totaling $0.3 million, which was previously accrued at December 31, 2012, was paid during the second quarter of 2013. No further contingent consideration obligations related to this acquisition exist as of September 30, 2013.
		•	Alere S.A.
	With respect to Alere S.A., the terms of the acquisition agreement require us to pay an earn-out upon successfully meeting certain revenue and EBITDA targets during each of the calendar years 2011 through 2016. The remaining earn-out was settled for BRL 6.9 million (approximately $3.1 million). A payment of BRL 2.9 million was paid during the third quarter of 2013 and the remaining BRL 4.0 million will be paid in 48 equal monthly installments beginning in August 2013. No further contingent consideration obligations related to this acquisition exist as of September 30, 2013.
		•	Amedica
	With respect to Amedica, the terms of the acquisition agreement require us to make earn-out payments upon successfully meeting certain financial targets during each of the calendar years 2012 and 2013. The 2012 portion of the earn-out totaling $6.9 million, which was previously accrued at December 31, 2012, was paid during the second quarter of 2013. The maximum remaining amount of the earn-out payments is $8.1 million.
		•	Branan
	With respect to Branan, the terms of the acquisition agreement require us to pay earn-outs upon successfully achieving various regulatory product approval milestones by the second anniversary of the acquisition date. Four milestones were achieved during 2012, resulting in an accrual totaling approximately $2.0 million as of December 31, 2012. During the first quarter of 2013, two additional milestones were achieved, resulting in an incremental accrual of $1.0 million. Payment of these earn-outs was made during the first quarter of 2013. The maximum remaining amount of the earn-out payments is $1.8 million.
		•	Epocal
	With respect to Epocal, the terms of the acquisition agreement require us to pay earn-outs and management incentive payments upon successfully meeting certain product development and United States Food and Drug Administration regulatory approval milestones from the date of acquisition through December 31, 2018. The maximum amount of the earn-out payments is $90.5 million, of which $15.0 million was paid at the acquisition closing date. The maximum amount of the management incentive payments is $9.4 million.
		•	Immunalysis
	With respect to Immunalysis, the terms of the acquisition agreement require us to pay earn-outs upon successfully meeting certain gross profit targets during each of the calendar years 2010 through 2012. During the second quarter of 2013, it was determined that the 2012 earn-out totaling $1.7 million had been achieved and payment was made during the same quarter. No further contingent consideration obligations related to this acquisition exist as of September 30, 2013.
	Additionally, we had a contractual contingent obligation to pay up to $3.0 million in compensation to certain executives of Immunalysis in accordance with the acquisition agreement that, to the extent earned, was paid out in connection with the contingent consideration payable to the former shareholders of Immunalysis, for each of the calendar years 2010, 2011 and 2012. Payment of the 2012 compensation totaling $1.0 million, which was previously accrued at December 31, 2012, was made during the second quarter of 2013. No further such compensation obligations related to this acquisition exist as of September 30, 2013.
		•	MedApps
	With respect to MedApps, the terms of the acquisition agreement require us to make earn-out payments upon achievement of certain technological and product development milestones through January 15, 2015. A portion of the earn-out, totaling $3.0 million, was earned and paid during the second quarter of 2013. The maximum remaining amount of the earn-out payments is $18.2 million.
		•	NationsHealth
	With respect to NationsHealth, the terms of the acquisition agreement require us to pay an earn-out upon successfully meeting certain operational targets within one year of the acquisition date. During the second quarter of 2013, the earn-out was accrued for a settlement amount of $2.0 million, which was paid during the third quarter of 2013. No further contingent consideration obligations related to this acquisition exist as of September 30, 2013.
		•	Pantech
	With respect to Pantech, the terms of the acquisition agreement requires us to pay a maximum earn-out of approximately $0.6 million based upon successfully meeting certain EBITDA targets in each of the three years post-closing.
		•	ROAR
	With respect to Forensics Limited, or ROAR, the terms of the acquisition agreement require us to pay an earn-out upon successfully meeting certain EBITDA targets during 2012 through 2014. Payment of the 2012 earn-out totaling approximately £1.0 million (approximately $1.5 million), which was previously accrued at December 31, 2012, was made during the first quarter of 2013. The maximum remaining amount of the earn-out payments is £9.5 million (approximately $15.2 million at September 30, 2013).

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	(18) Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, or other standard setting bodies that we adopt as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, we believe that the impact of recently issued standards that are not yet effective will not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income or cash flows upon adoption.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncement
	In July 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit when a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists, or ASU 2013-11. ASU 2013-11 requires an entity to present unrecognized tax benefits as a reduction to deferred tax assets when a net operating loss carryforward, similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward exists, with limited exceptions. ASU 2013-11 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2013, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. We do not expect that the adoption of this ASU will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
	Recently Adopted Standards
	Effective January 1, 2013, we adopted ASU No. 2012-02, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment, or ASU 2012-02. ASU 2012-02 allows an entity the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events and circumstances indicates that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If an entity concludes that it is not more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired, then the entity is not required to take further action. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, then it is required to determine the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset and perform the quantitative impairment test by comparing the fair value with the carrying amount. An entity also has the option to bypass the qualitative assessment for any indefinite-lived intangible asset in any period and proceed directly to performing the quantitative impairment test. An entity will be able to resume performing the qualitative assessment in any subsequent period. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have an impact on our financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income or cash flows.

Equity_Investments

Equity Investments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity Method Investments And Joint Ventures [Abstract]	'
Equity Investments	'
	(19) Equity Investments
	We account for the results from our equity investments under the equity method of accounting in accordance with ASC 323, Investments — Equity Method and Joint Ventures, based on the percentage of our ownership interest in the business. Our equity investments primarily include the following:
	(a) SPD
	We have a 50/50 joint venture, called SPD, with P&G for the development, manufacturing, marketing and sale of existing and to-be-developed consumer diagnostic products, outside the cardiology, diabetes and oral care fields. We recorded earnings of $4.7 million and $11.4 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, and earnings of $2.1 million and $8.2 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, in equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax, in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations, which represented our 50% share of SPD’s net income or losses, as applicable, for the respective periods.
	(b) TechLab
	We own 49% of TechLab, Inc., or TechLab, a privately-held developer, manufacturer and distributor of rapid non-invasive intestinal diagnostics tests in the areas of intestinal inflammation, antibiotic-associated diarrhea and parasitology. We recorded earnings of $0.5 million and $1.3 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, and earnings of $0.6 million and $1.8 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, in equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax, in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations, which represented our minority share of TechLab’s net income for the respective periods.
	Summarized financial information for SPD and TechLab on a combined basis is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	Combined Condensed Results of Operations:	2013		2012		2013		2012
	Net revenue	$	49,272	$	54,650	$	153,096	$	165,483
	Gross profit	$	40,158	$	34,411	$	112,862	$	105,175
	Net income after taxes	$	10,543	$	5,399	$	25,549	$	20,083
	Combined Condensed Balance Sheet:	September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
	Current assets	$	95,764	$	79,842
	Non-current assets		37,909		38,991
	Total assets	$	133,673	$	118,833
	Current liabilities	$	39,468	$	45,084
	Non-current liabilities		6,268		6,791
	Total liabilities	$	45,736	$	51,875

Loss_on_Disposition

Loss on Disposition	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Loss on Disposition	'
	(20) Loss on Disposition
	In July 2013, we sold our Spinreact operations located in Spain, which was part of our professional diagnostics reporting unit and business segment, for $32.0 million in cash proceeds and, as a result of this transaction, we recorded a loss on disposition of $5.9 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2013. The financial results for our Spinreact operations are immaterial to our consolidated financial results.

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio

Guarantor Financial Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Guarantor Financial Information	'
	(21) Guarantor Financial Information
	Our 7.25% senior notes due 2018, our 8.625% senior subordinated notes due 2018, and our 6.5% senior subordinated notes due 2020 are guaranteed by certain of our consolidated wholly owned subsidiaries, or the Guarantor Subsidiaries. The guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several. The following supplemental financial information sets forth, on a consolidating basis, balance sheets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the related statements of operations and statements of comprehensive income (loss) for each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and the statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, for Alere Inc., the Guarantor Subsidiaries and our other subsidiaries, or the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries. The supplemental financial information reflects the investments of Alere Inc. and the Guarantor Subsidiaries in the Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries using the equity method of accounting.
	We have extensive transactions and relationships between various members of the consolidated group. These transactions and relationships include intercompany pricing agreements, intellectual property royalty agreements and general and administrative and research and development cost-sharing agreements. Because of these relationships, it is possible that the terms of these transactions are not the same as those that would result from transactions among wholly unrelated parties.
	For comparative purposes, certain amounts for prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period classification.
	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Net product sales	$	—		$	223,254		$	330,389		$	(44,605	)	$	509,038
	Services revenue		—			220,439			20,221			—			240,660
	Net product sales and services revenue		—			443,693			350,610			(44,605	)		749,698
	License and royalty revenue		—			5,103			4,057			(4,976	)		4,184
	Net revenue		—			448,796			354,667			(49,581	)		753,882
	Cost of net product sales		887			129,408			165,396			(37,457	)		258,234
	Cost of services revenue		—			120,032			10,292			(5,331	)		124,993
	Cost of net product sales and services revenue		887			249,440			175,688			(42,788	)		383,227
	Cost of license and royalty revenue		—			17			6,967			(4,975	)		2,009
	Cost of net revenue		887			249,457			182,655			(47,763	)		385,236
	Gross profit (loss)		(887	)		199,339			172,012			(1,818	)		368,646
	Operating expenses:
	Research and development		5,515			15,817			19,166			—			40,498
	Sales and marketing		1,579			81,107			76,901			—			159,587
	General and administrative		23,027			61,489			57,861			—			142,377
	Loss on disposition		—			—			5,885			—			5,885
	Operating income (loss)		(31,008	)		40,926			12,199			(1,818	)		20,299
	Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs		(52,318	)		(6,326	)		(2,721	)		7,945			(53,420	)
	Other income (expense), net		(6,775	)		5,770			81			(7,945	)		(8,869	)
	Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes		(90,101	)		40,370			9,559			(1,818	)		(41,990	)
	Provision (benefit) for income taxes		(29,302	)		14,928			(2,214	)		(560	)		(17,148	)
	Income (loss) before equity earnings (losses) of subsidiaries and unconsolidated entities, net of tax		(60,799	)		25,442			11,773			(1,258	)		(24,842	)
	Equity earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net of tax		41,246			(337	)		—			(40,909	)		—
	Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax		464			—			5,217			72			5,753
	Net income (loss)		(19,089	)		25,105			16,990			(42,095	)		(19,089	)
	Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests		—			—			359			—			359
	Net income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries		(19,089	)		25,105			16,631			(42,095	)		(19,448	)
	Preferred stock dividends		(5,367	)		—			—			—			(5,367	)
	Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$	(24,456	)	$	25,105		$	16,631		$	(42,095	)	$	(24,815	)
	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Net product sales	$	—		$	219,484		$	282,369		$	(42,040	)	$	459,813
	Services revenue		—			210,761			15,654			—			226,415
	Net product sales and services revenue		—			430,245			298,023			(42,040	)		686,228
	License and royalty revenue		—			(4,912	)		4,868			5,232			5,188
	Net revenue		—			425,333			302,891			(36,808	)		691,416
	Cost of net product sales		928			107,410			152,607			(37,333	)		223,612
	Cost of services revenue		—			115,212			7,161			(2,242	)		120,131
	Cost of net product sales and services revenue		928			222,622			159,768			(39,575	)		343,743
	Cost of license and royalty revenue		—			5			(3,339	)		5,232			1,898
	Cost of net revenue		928			222,627			156,429			(34,343	)		345,641
	Gross profit (loss)		(928	)		202,706			146,462			(2,465	)		345,775
	Operating expenses:
	Research and development		6,292			18,007			16,263			—			40,562
	Sales and marketing		1,220			85,866			73,558			—			160,644
	General and administrative		11,392			48,704			45,741			—			105,837
	Total operating expenses		18,904			152,577			135,562			—			307,043
	Operating income (loss)		(19,832	)		50,129			10,900			(2,465	)		38,732
	Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs		(54,324	)		(9,278	)		(2,783	)		11,524			(54,861	)
	Other income (expense), net		1,534			8,319			599			(11,524	)		(1,072	)
	Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes		(72,622	)		49,170			8,716			(2,465	)		(17,201	)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		(27,401	)		17,014			643			(933	)		(10,677	)
Income (loss) before equity earnings (losses) of subsidiaries and unconsolidated entities, net of tax		(45,221	)		32,156			8,073			(1,532	)		(6,524	)
Equity earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net of tax		41,052			(230	)		—			(40,822	)		—
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax		652			—			2,405			(50	)		3,007
Net income (loss)		(3,517	)		31,926			10,478			(42,404	)		(3,517	)
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests		—			—			286			—			286
Net income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries		(3,517	)		31,926			10,192			(42,404	)		(3,803	)
Preferred stock dividends		(5,352	)		—			—			—			(5,352	)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$	(8,869	)	$	31,926		$	10,192		$	(42,404	)	$	(9,155	)
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
(in thousands)
	Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
Net product sales	$	—		$	665,672		$	1,016,614		$	(143,410	)	$	1,538,876
Services revenue		—			644,760			60,367			—			705,127
Net product sales and services revenue		—			1,310,432			1,076,981			(143,410	)		2,244,003
License and royalty revenue		—			10,908			12,662			(10,457	)		13,113
Net revenue		—			1,321,340			1,089,643			(153,867	)		2,257,116
Cost of net product sales		2,722			367,552			519,559			(125,332	)		764,501
Cost of services revenue		—			355,930			28,511			(14,480	)		369,961
Cost of net product sales and services revenue		2,722			723,482			548,070			(139,812	)		1,134,462
Cost of license and royalty revenue		—			52			15,668			(10,456	)		5,264
Cost of net revenue		2,722			723,534			563,738			(150,268	)		1,139,726
Gross profit (loss)		(2,722	)		597,806			525,905			(3,599	)		1,117,390
Operating expenses:
Research and development		16,167			49,354			56,931			—			122,452
Sales and marketing		4,384			245,148			225,933			—			475,465
General and administrative		51,531			200,646			166,219			—			418,396
Loss on disposition		—			—			5,885			—			5,885
Operating income (loss)		(74,804	)		102,658			70,937			(3,599	)		95,192
Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs		(200,836	)		(19,729	)		(9,209	)		26,502			(203,272	)
Other income (expense), net		(7,612	)		17,665			8,173			(26,502	)		(8,276	)
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes		(283,252	)		100,594			69,901			(3,599	)		(116,356	)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		(102,473	)		44,896			22,663			(1,238	)		(36,152	)
Income (loss) before equity earnings (losses) of subsidiaries and unconsolidated entities, net of tax		(180,779	)		55,698			47,238			(2,361	)		(80,204	)
Equity earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net of tax		112,535			(1,510	)		—			(111,025	)		—
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax		1,278			—			11,932			28			13,238
Net income (loss)		(66,966	)		54,188			59,170			(113,358	)		(66,966	)
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests		—			—			601			—			601
Net income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries		(66,966	)		54,188			58,569			(113,358	)		(67,567	)
Preferred stock dividends		(15,926	)		—			—			—			(15,926	)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$	(82,892	)	$	54,188		$	58,569		$	(113,358	)	$	(83,493	)
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
(in thousands)
	Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
Net product sales	$	—		$	649,719		$	854,113		$	(104,807	)	$	1,399,025
Services revenue		—			605,193			47,511			—			652,704
Net product sales and services revenue		—			1,254,912			901,624			(104,807	)		2,051,729
License and royalty revenue		—			8,982			10,016			(7,665	)		11,333
Net revenue		—			1,263,894			911,640			(112,472	)		2,063,062
Cost of net product sales		2,635			311,722			456,760			(99,453	)		671,664
Cost of services revenue		—			311,718			22,074			(2,242	)		331,550
Cost of net product sales and services revenue		2,635			623,440			478,834			(101,695	)		1,003,214
Cost of license and royalty revenue		—			15			13,044			(7,665	)		5,394
Cost of net revenue		2,635			623,455			491,878			(109,360	)		1,008,608
Gross profit (loss)		(2,635	)		640,439			419,762			(3,112	)		1,054,454
Operating expenses:
Research and development		17,361			53,528			49,120			—			120,009
Sales and marketing		3,096			260,283			215,165			—			478,544
General and administrative		37,590			174,639			135,528			—			347,757
Total operating expenses		58,047			488,450			399,813			—			946,310
Operating income (loss)		(60,682	)		151,989			19,949			(3,112	)		108,144
Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs		(158,009	)		(31,291	)		(9,853	)		38,034			(161,119	)
Other income (expense), net		(2,552	)		33,550			21,606			(38,034	)		14,570
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes		(221,243	)		154,248			31,702			(3,112	)		(38,405	)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		(74,149	)		59,013			3,494			(979	)		(12,621	)
Income (loss) before equity earnings (losses) of subsidiaries and unconsolidated entities, net of tax		(147,094	)		95,235			28,208			(2,133	)		(25,784	)
Equity earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net of tax		129,929			(763	)		—			(129,166	)		—
Equity earnings (losses) of unconsolidated entities, net of tax		1,798			—			8,643			(24	)		10,417
Net income (loss)		(15,367	)		94,472			36,851			(131,323	)		(15,367	)
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests		—			—			137			—			137
Net income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries		(15,367	)		94,472			36,714			(131,323	)		(15,504	)
Preferred stock dividends		(15,940	)		—			—			—			(15,940	)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$	(31,307	)	$	94,472		$	36,714		$	(131,323	)	$	(31,444	)
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
(in thousands)
	Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
Net income (loss)	$	(19,089	)	$	25,105		$	16,990		$	(42,095	)	$	(19,089	)
Other comprehensive income, before tax:
Changes in cumulative translation adjustment		524			—			66,742			2			67,268
Unrealized gains on hedging instruments		—			—			20			—			20
Minimum pension liability adjustment		—			—			(369	)		—			(369	)
Other comprehensive income, before tax		524			—			66,393			2			66,919
Income tax provision (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income		—			—			—			—			—
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		524			—			66,393			2			66,919
Comprehensive income (loss)		(18,565	)		25,105			83,383			(42,093	)		47,830
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests		—			—			359			—			359
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	$	(18,565	)	$	25,105		$	83,024		$	(42,093	)	$	47,471
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
(in thousands)
	Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
Net income (loss)	$	(3,517	)	$	31,926		$	10,478		$	(42,404	)	$	(3,517	)
Other comprehensive income, before tax:
Changes in cumulative translation adjustment		132			1			36,027			3,535			39,695
Unrealized gains on available for sale securities		141			—			—			—			141
Unrealized gains on hedging instruments		—			—			10			—			10
Minimum pension liability adjustment		—			—			(98	)		—			(98	)
Other comprehensive income, before tax		273			1			35,939			3,535			39,748
Income tax provision related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)		360			—			—			—			360
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		(87	)		1			35,939			3,535			39,388
Comprehensive income (loss)		(3,604	)		31,927			46,417			(38,869	)		35,871
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests		—			—			286			—			286
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	$	(3,604	)	$	31,927		$	46,131		$	(38,869	)	$	35,585
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
(in thousands)
	Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
Net income (loss)	$	(66,966	)	$	54,188		$	59,170		$	(113,358	)	$	(66,966	)
Other comprehensive loss, before tax:
Changes in cumulative translation adjustment		(329	)		—			(42,188	)		2			(42,515	)
Unrealized gains on hedging instruments		—			—			31			—			31
Minimum pension liability adjustment		—			—			335			—			335
Other comprehensive loss, before tax		(329	)		—			(41,822	)		2			(42,149	)
Income tax provision (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive loss		—			—			—			—			—
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax		(329	)		—			(41,822	)		2			(42,149	)
Comprehensive income (loss)		(67,295	)		54,188			17,348			(113,356	)		(109,115	)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests		—			—			601			—			601
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	$	(67,295	)	$	54,188		$	16,747		$	(113,356	)	$	(109,716	)
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
(in thousands)
	Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
Net income (loss)	$	(15,367	)	$	94,472		$	36,851		$	(131,323	)	$	(15,367	)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Changes in cumulative translation adjustment		(100	)		(302	)		37,136			2,123			38,857
Unrealized gains on available for sale securities		926			5			—			—			931
Unrealized gains on hedging instruments		17			—			448			—			465
Minimum pension liability adjustment		—			—			(218	)		—			(218	)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax		843			(297	)		37,366			2,123			40,035
Income tax provision related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)		360			—			—			—			360
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		483			(297	)		37,366			2,123			39,675
Comprehensive income (loss)		(14,884	)		94,175			74,217			(129,200	)		24,308
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests		—			—			137			—			137
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	$	(14,884	)	$	94,175		$	74,080		$	(129,200	)	$	24,171
CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
September 30, 2013
(in thousands)
	Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	47,863		$	76,234		$	229,896		$	—		$	353,993
Restricted cash		4,439			2,309			1,157			—			7,905
Marketable securities		—			815			5			—			820
Accounts receivable, net of allowances		—			256,578			312,295			—			568,873
Inventories, net		—			170,372			225,894			(25,818	)		370,448
Deferred tax assets		8,749			35,980			9,440			4,008			58,177
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		3,911			34,732			75,999			(41	)		114,601
Intercompany receivables		332,124			714,131			61,898			(1,108,153	)		—
Total current assets		397,086			1,291,151			916,584			(1,130,004	)		1,474,817
Property, plant and equipment, net		9,048			291,621			243,981			(379	)		544,271
Goodwill		—			1,810,036			1,293,459			—			3,103,495
Other intangible assets with indefinite lives		—			12,900			46,053			—			58,953
Finite-lived intangible assets, net		8,786			1,003,272			735,480			—			1,747,538
Restricted cash—non-current		—			—			29,045			—			29,045
Deferred financing costs, net and other non-current assets		58,996			9,299			18,247			(53	)		86,489
Investments in subsidiaries		4,473,400			274,450			127,711			(4,875,561	)		—
Investments in unconsolidated entities		30,221			—			58,049			13,552			101,822
Deferred tax assets		—			—			8,189			—			8,189
Intercompany notes receivable		1,541,655			665,623			97,887			(2,305,165	)		—
Total assets	$	6,519,192		$	5,358,352		$	3,574,685		$	(8,297,610	)	$	7,154,619
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt	$	—		$	—		$	25		$	—		$	25
Current portion of long-term debt		45,000			348			2,353			—			47,701
Current portion of capital lease obligations		—			3,808			2,725			—			6,533
Accounts payable		18,702			77,163			99,126			—			194,991
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		(381,276	)		604,035			225,084			(615	)		447,228
Intercompany payables		677,842			149,645			280,668			(1,108,155	)		—
Total current liabilities		360,268			834,999			609,981			(1,108,770	)		696,478
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt, net of current portion		3,750,057			150			40,325			—			3,790,532
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion		—			6,133			8,793			—			14,926
Deferred tax liabilities		(27,768	)		282,942			97,211			474			352,859
Other long-term liabilities		20,198			57,762			131,776			(53	)		209,683
Intercompany notes payables		330,967			1,503,599			470,599			(2,305,165	)		—
Total long-term liabilities		4,073,454			1,850,586			748,704			(2,304,744	)		4,368,000
Stockholders’ equity		2,085,470			2,672,767			2,211,329			(4,884,096	)		2,085,470
Non-controlling interests		—			—			4,671			—			4,671
Total equity		2,085,470			2,672,767			2,216,000			(4,884,096	)		2,090,141
Total liabilities and equity	$	6,519,192		$	5,358,352		$	3,574,685		$	(8,297,610	)	$	7,154,619
CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
December 31, 2012
(in thousands)
	Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	3,623		$	67,449		$	257,274		$	—		$	328,346
Restricted cash		—			1,680			1,396			—			3,076
Marketable securities		—			787			117			—			904
Accounts receivable, net of allowances		—			241,050			283,282			—			524,332
Inventories, net		—			142,413			203,230			(8,522	)		337,121
Deferred tax assets		12,193			39,601			13,138			2,790			67,722
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(20,636	)		99,271			66,634			(33	)		145,236
Intercompany receivables		298,812			1,254,727			55,847			(1,609,386	)		—
Total current assets		293,992			1,846,978			880,918			(1,615,151	)		1,406,737
Property, plant and equipment, net		2,679			293,260			239,082			(552	)		534,469
Goodwill		—			1,820,438			1,227,967			—			3,048,405
Other intangible assets with indefinite lives		—			14,600			21,851			—			36,451
Finite-lived intangible assets, net		24,701			1,132,656			676,868			—			1,834,225
Deferred financing costs, net and other non-current assets		78,522			10,341			20,065			(71	)		108,857
Investments in subsidiaries		4,114,478			222,175			73,940			(4,410,593	)		—
Investments in unconsolidated entities		33,979			—			56,512			—			90,491
Deferred tax assets		—			782			7,511			—			8,293
Intercompany notes receivable		1,724,650			722,552			1,278			(2,448,480	)		—
Total assets	$	6,273,001		$	6,063,782		$	3,205,992		$	(8,474,847	)	$	7,067,928
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	$	45,000		$	349		$	14,883		$	—		$	60,232
Current portion of capital lease obligations		—			3,209			3,475			—			6,684
Accounts payable		7,993			76,256			85,725			—			169,974
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		(388,830	)		586,116			214,659			(26	)		411,919
Intercompany payables		557,578			806,507			245,300			(1,609,385	)		—
Total current liabilities		221,741			1,472,437			564,042			(1,609,411	)		648,809
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt, net of current portion		3,617,068			374			11,233			—			3,628,675
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion		—			5,412			7,505			—			12,917
Deferred tax liabilities		(5,329	)		333,388			100,216			(87	)		428,188
Other long-term liabilities		17,678			72,890			76,138			(71	)		166,635
Intercompany notes payables		241,421			1,630,376			576,684			(2,448,481	)		—
Total long-term liabilities		3,870,838			2,042,440			771,776			(2,448,639	)		4,236,415
Stockholders’ equity		2,180,422			2,548,905			1,867,892			(4,416,797	)		2,180,422
Non-controlling interests		—			—			2,282			—			2,282
Total equity		2,180,422			2,548,905			1,870,174			(4,416,797	)		2,182,704
Total liabilities and equity	$	6,273,001		$	6,063,782		$	3,205,992		$	(8,474,847	)	$	7,067,928
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
(in thousands)
	Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$	(66,966	)	$	54,188		$	59,170		$	(113,358	)	$	(66,966	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Equity (earnings) losses of subsidiaries, net of tax		(112,535	)		1,510			—			111,025			—
Non-cash interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and write-off of deferred financing costs		13,814			229			45			—			14,088
Depreciation and amortization		3,731			188,745			134,317			(104	)		326,689
Non-cash charges for sale of inventories revalued at the date of acquisition		—			—			1,880			—			1,880
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense		5,836			3,646			4,980			—			14,462
Impairment of inventory		—			27			216			—			243
Impairment of long-lived assets		—			2,954			1,147			—			4,101
Loss on sale of fixed assets		—			1,118			731			—			1,849
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax		(1,278	)		—			(11,932	)		(28	)		(13,238	)
Deferred income taxes		(17,386	)		(27,285	)		(27,830	)		(1,154	)		(73,655	)
Loss on extinguishment of debt		35,603			—			—			—			35,603
Loss on disposition		—			—			5,885			—			5,885
Bargain purchase gain		—			—			(5,707	)		—			(5,707	)
Other non-cash items		5,201			(8	)		1,481			—			1,481
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable, net		—			(15,528	)		(41,782	)		—			(57,310	)
Inventories, net		—			(45,883	)		(30,615	)		3,771			(72,727	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(64,547	)		67,871			(4,941	)		(7,515	)		(9,132	)
Accounts payable		5,918			(1,453	)		11,516			—			15,981
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		10,396			17,570			2,342			6,934			37,242
Other non-current liabilities		(915	)		(15,197	)		8,739			516			(6,857	)
Intercompany payable (receivable)		298,083			(182,214	)		(115,869	)		—			—
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		114,955			50,290			(6,227	)		87			159,105
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Increase in restricted cash		(4,439	)		(630	)		(28,812	)		—			(33,881	)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(1,037	)		(42,950	)		(58,860	)		11,939			(90,908	)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment		—			6,908			11,186			(12,263	)		5,831
Cash received from disposition		—			—			32,000			—			32,000
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(157,373	)		—			(8,823	)		—			(166,196	)
Cash received from equity method investments		490			—			10,772			—			11,262
(Increase) decrease in other assets		19,244			(2,047	)		2,065			(18	)		19,244
Net cash used in investing activities		(143,115	)		(38,719	)		(40,472	)		(342	)		(222,648	)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Cash paid for financing costs		(9,798	)		—			—			—			(9,798	)
Cash paid for contingent purchase price consideration		(27,165	)		—			(331	)		—			(27,496	)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs		17,555			—			—			—			17,555
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		425,000			989			34,152			—			460,141
Payments on long-term debt		(446,845	)		(1,213	)		(7,099	)		—			(455,157	)
Net proceeds (payments) under revolving credit facilities		147,500			—			(8,732	)		—			138,768
Borrowings from short-term debt		—			—			25			—			25
Cash paid for dividends		(15,970	)		—			—			—			(15,970	)
Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options		205			181			48			—			434
Principal payments on capital lease obligations		—			(2,715	)		(2,626	)		—			(5,341	)
Other		(18,953	)		—			—			—			(18,953	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		71,529			(2,758	)		15,437			—			84,208
Foreign exchange effect on cash and cash equivalents		871			(28	)		3,884			255			4,982
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		44,240			8,785			(27,378	)		—			25,647
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		3,623			67,449			257,274			—			328,346
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	47,863		$	76,234		$	229,896		$	—		$	353,993
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
(in thousands)
	Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$	(15,367	)	$	94,472		$	36,851		$	(131,323	)	$	(15,367	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity (earnings) losses of subsidiaries, net of tax		(129,929	)		763			—			129,166			—
Non-cash interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs		15,929			158			—			—			16,087
Depreciation and amortization		4,314			198,576			119,462			19			322,371
Non-cash charges for sale of inventories revalued at the date of acquisition		—			1,400			3,281			—			4,681
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense		3,119			4,309			4,440			—			11,868
Impairment of inventory		—			5			290			—			295
Impairment of long-lived assets		—			219			55			—			274
(Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment		3			(4,029	)		(168	)		—			(4,194	)
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax		(1,798	)		—			(8,643	)		24			(10,417	)
Deferred income taxes		20,901			(38,495	)		(25,122	)		(903	)		(43,619	)
Other non-cash items		(1,156	)		685			6,207			—			5,736
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable, net		—			(6,468	)		(1,793	)		—			(8,261	)
Inventories, net		—			4,881			(23,303	)		2,826			(15,596	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(419,146	)		410,233			13,059			25			4,171
Accounts payable		3,961			(2,327	)		(18,377	)		—			(16,743	)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		354,452			(323,909	)		(5,843	)		(584	)		24,116
Other non-current liabilities		(7,158	)		(1,634	)		(13,275	)		428			(21,639	)
Intercompany payable (receivable)		297,741			(322,706	)		27,088			(2,123	)		—
Net cash provided by operating activities		125,866			16,133			114,209			(2,445	)		253,763
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Decrease in restricted cash		—			12			5,759			—			5,771
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(1,149	)		(69,092	)		(94,311	)		67,243			(97,309	)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment		—			22,230			66,281			(66,128	)		22,383
Cash received from (paid for) acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(364,731	)		1,469			(21,518	)		—			(384,780	)
Cash received from sales of marketable securities		—			268			3			—			271
Net cash received from equity method investments		490			—			6,066			—			6,556
(Increase) decrease in other assets		(10,028	)		(615	)		1,275			55			(9,313	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(375,418	)		(45,728	)		(36,445	)		1,170			(456,421	)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Cash paid for financing costs		(2,313	)		—			—			—			(2,313	)
Cash paid for contingent purchase price consideration		(16,248	)		—			—			—			(16,248	)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs		14,260			—			—			—			14,260
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		198,000			—			288			—			198,288
Payments on long-term debt		(33,250	)		(455	)		(8,848	)		—			(42,553	)
Net proceeds (payments) under revolving credit facilities		97,500			(2	)		(6,336	)		—			91,162
Payments on short-term debt		(6,240	)		—			—			—			(6,240	)
Cash paid for dividends		(15,970	)		—			—			—			(15,970	)
Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options		183			74			20			—			277
Principal payments on capital lease obligations		—			(1,503	)		(3,422	)		—			(4,925	)
Other		—			—			(2,811	)		—			(2,811	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		235,922			(1,886	)		(21,109	)		—			212,927
Foreign exchange effect on cash and cash equivalents		1,508			331			(10,302	)		1,275			(7,188	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(12,122	)		(31,150	)		46,353			—			3,081
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		12,451			95,212			191,510			—			299,173
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	329		$	64,062		$	237,863		$	—		$	302,254

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen1

Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Presentation of Unrecognized Tax Benefit	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncement
	In July 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit when a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists, or ASU 2013-11. ASU 2013-11 requires an entity to present unrecognized tax benefits as a reduction to deferred tax assets when a net operating loss carryforward, similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward exists, with limited exceptions. ASU 2013-11 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2013, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. We do not expect that the adoption of this ASU will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Intangibles - Goodwill and Other	'
	Recently Adopted Standards
	Effective January 1, 2013, we adopted ASU No. 2012-02, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment, or ASU 2012-02. ASU 2012-02 allows an entity the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events and circumstances indicates that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If an entity concludes that it is not more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired, then the entity is not required to take further action. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, then it is required to determine the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset and perform the quantitative impairment test by comparing the fair value with the carrying amount. An entity also has the option to bypass the qualitative assessment for any indefinite-lived intangible asset in any period and proceed directly to performing the quantitative impairment test. An entity will be able to resume performing the qualitative assessment in any subsequent period. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have an impact on our financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income or cash flows.

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories are Stated at the Lower of Cost (First In, First Out) or Market	'
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first in, first out) or market and are comprised of the following (in thousands):
		September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
	Raw materials	$	115,441	$	99,498
	Work-in-process		83,571		89,895
	Finished goods		171,436		147,728
		$	370,448	$	337,121

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation Expense	'
	We recorded stock-based compensation expense in our consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Cost of net revenue	$	287		$	269		$	797		$	801
	Research and development		1,111			752			2,641			2,379
	Sales and marketing		975			751			2,597			2,581
	General and administrative		3,289			1,854			8,427			6,107
			5,662			3,626			14,462			11,868
	Benefit for income taxes		(1,511	)		(536	)		(2,869	)		(1,951	)
		$	4,151		$	3,090		$	11,593		$	9,917

Net_Loss_Per_Common_Share_Tabl

Net Loss Per Common Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Common Share	'
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per common share for the periods presented (in thousands, except per share data):
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Numerator:
	Net loss	$	(19,089	)	$	(3,517	)	$	(66,966	)	$	(15,367	)
	Preferred stock dividends		(5,367	)		(5,352	)		(15,926	)		(15,940	)
	Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interest		359			286			601			137
	Net loss available to common stockholders	$	(24,815	)	$	(9,155	)	$	(83,493	)	$	(31,444	)
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding—basic and diluted		81,735			80,792			81,417			80,492
	Basic and diluted net loss per common share attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	$	(0.30	)	$	(0.11	)	$	(1.03	)	$	(0.39	)
Potential Dilutive Securities Not Included in Calculation of Diluted Net Loss Per Common Share	'
	The following potential dilutive securities were not included in the calculation of diluted net loss per common share because the inclusion thereof would be antidilutive (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Denominator:
	Options to purchase shares of common stock		10,239			9,730			10,239			9,730
	Warrants		4			4			4			4
	Conversion shares related to 3% convertible senior subordinated notes		3,411			3,411			3,411			3,411
	Conversion shares related to subordinated convertible promissory notes		27			27			27			27
	Conversion shares related to Series B convertible preferred stock		10,239			10,239			10,239			10,239
	Total number of antidilutive potentially issuable shares of common stock excluded from diluted common shares outstanding		23,920			23,411			23,920			23,411

Stockholders_Equity_and_NonCon1

Stockholders' Equity and Non-Controlling Interests (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Summary of Changes in Stockholders' Equity and Non-Controlling Interests Comprising Total Equity	'
	A summary of the changes in stockholders’ equity and non-controlling interests comprising total equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 is provided below (in thousands):
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013								2012
		Total			Non-		Total			Total			Non-			Total
		Stockholders’			controlling		Equity			Stockholders’			controlling			Equity
		Equity			Interests					Equity			Interests
	Equity, beginning of period	$	2,180,422		$	2,282	$	2,182,704		$	2,229,234		$	2,340		$	2,231,574
	Exercise of common stock options, warrants and shares issued under employee stock purchase plan		17,555			—		17,555			14,261			—			14,261
	Issuance of common stock for settlement of an acquisition-related contingent consideration obligation		—			—		—			1,243			—			1,243
	Preferred stock dividends		(15,970	)		—		(15,970	)		(15,970	)		—			(15,970	)
	Stock-based compensation related to grants of common stock options		14,462			—		14,462			11,868			—			11,868
	Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options		(1,283	)		—		(1,283	)		(437	)		—			(437	)
	Non-controlling interest from acquisition		—			1,788		1,788			—			—			—
	Purchase of subsidiary shares from non-controlling interests		—			—		—			(35,079	)		—			(35,079	)
	Dividend relating to non-controlling interest		—			—		—			—			(236	)		(236	)
	Net income (loss)		(67,567	)		601		(66,966	)		(15,504	)		200			(15,304	)
	Total other comprehensive income (loss)		(42,149	)		—		(42,149	)		39,675			—			39,675
	Equity, end of period	$	2,085,470		$	4,671	$	2,090,141		$	2,229,291		$	2,304		$	2,231,595

Business_Combinations_Tables

Business Combinations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Preliminary Fair Values of Net Assets Acquired for Acquisitions	'
	A summary of the preliminary fair values of the net assets acquired for the acquisitions consummated in 2013 is as follows (in thousands):
			Epocal		Other		Total
	Current assets(1)		$	12,089	$	12,968	$	25,057
	Property, plant and equipment			1,267		1,669		2,936
	Goodwill			99,449		1,629		101,078
	Intangible assets			164,400		42,920		207,320
	Other non-current assets			17,610		29		17,639
	Total assets acquired			294,815		59,215		354,030
	Current liabilities			2,627		5,398		8,025
	Non-current liabilities			43,727		6,202		49,929
	Total liabilities assumed			46,354		11,600		57,954
	Net assets acquired			248,461		47,615		296,076
	Less:
	Contingent consideration			75,000		1,264		76,264
	Non-controlling interest			—		1,774		1,774
	Bargain purchase gain			—		8,023		8,023
	Deferred purchase price consideration			—		768		768
	Cash paid		$	173,461	$	35,786	$	209,247
	(1)	Includes approximately $3.3 million of acquired cash.
	A summary of the preliminary fair values of the net assets acquired for the acquisitions consummated in 2012 is as follows (in thousands):
	Current assets(1)		$	47,228
	Property, plant and equipment			9,029
	Goodwill			240,576
	Intangible assets			325,223
	Other non-current assets			17,261
	Total assets acquired			639,317
	Current liabilities			28,214
	Non-current liabilities			116,580
	Total liabilities assumed			144,794
	Net assets acquired			494,523
	Less:
	Contingent consideration			75,620
	Cash paid		$	418,903
	(1)	Includes approximately $3.8 million of acquired cash.
Intangible Assets Acquired and Their Respective Fair Values and Weighted-Average Useful Lives	'
	The following are the intangible assets acquired and their respective fair values and weighted-average useful lives (dollars in thousands):
			Epocal		Other		Total		Weighted-
									average
									Useful Life
	Core technology and patents		$	119,700	$	—	$	119,700		20.0 years
	Software			—		804		804		10.0 years
	Trademarks and trade names			20,500		10		20,510		19.2 years
	Customer relationships			—		36,290		36,290		11.4 years
	Other			—		5,816		5,816		3.0 years
	In-process research and development			24,200		—		24,200		N/A
	Total intangible assets		$	164,400	$	42,920	$	207,320
	The following are the intangible assets acquired and their respective fair values and weighted-average useful lives (dollars in thousands):
			Amount		Weighted-
					average
					Useful Life
	Core technology and patents		$	148,103		18.7 years
	Trademarks and trade names			19,390		18.3 years
	Customer relationships			136,485		18.1 years
	Non-competition agreements			1,118		5.1 years
	Other			15,227		9.2 years
	In-process research and development			4,900		N/A
	Total intangible assets		$	325,223

Restructuring_Plans_Tables

Restructuring Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Aggregate Charges Associated with Restructuring Plans Recorded in Operating Income	'
	The following table sets forth aggregate restructuring charges recorded in our consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
			Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	Statement of Operations Caption		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Cost of net revenue		$	3,556		$	1,080		$	4,908		$	2,069
	Research and development			1,100			—			1,745			638
	Sales and marketing			218			927			1,476			1,954
	General and administrative			2,820			1,232			11,501			5,471
	Total operating expenses			7,694			3,239			19,630			10,132
	Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs			111			48			228			158
	Total charges		$	7,805		$	3,287		$	19,858		$	10,290
Restructuring Activities Related to Restructuring Plans	'
	The following table summarizes the restructuring activities related to our 2013 restructuring plans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
			Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
			Professional			Health			Total
			Diagnostics			Information
						Solutions
	Severance-related costs		$	3,876		$	1,340		$	5,216
	Facility and transition costs			1,107			327			1,434
	Other exit costs			—			2			2
	Cash charges			4,983			1,669			6,652
	Fixed asset and inventory impairments			470			—			470
	Other non-cash charges			—			(20	)		(20	)
	Total charges		$	5,453		$	1,649		$	7,102
			Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
			Professional			Health			Total
			Diagnostics			Information
						Solutions
	Severance-related costs		$	5,960		$	1,398		$	7,358
	Facility and transition costs			1,457			568			2,025
	Other exit costs			—			2			2
	Cash charges			7,417			1,968			9,385
	Fixed asset and inventory impairments			470			170			640
	Intangible asset impairments			—			2,596			2,596
	Other non-cash charges			—			(20	)		(20	)
	Total charges		$	7,887		$	4,714		$	12,601
	The following table summarizes the restructuring activities related to our 2012 restructuring plans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 and since inception (in thousands):
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended						Since
			September 30,						September 30,						Inception
	Professional Diagnostics		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Severance-related costs(1)		$	(614	)	$	691		$	(526	)	$	3,009		$	4,206
	Facility and transition costs			—			—			82			—			201
	Cash charges			(614	)		691			(444	)		3,009			4,407
	Fixed asset impairments			—			55			—			55			304
	Total charges		$	(614	)	$	746		$	(444	)	$	3,064		$	4,711
	-1	Severance-related costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 includes the reversal of an amount previously accrued which relates to a settlement resulting from a labor dispute.
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended						Since
			September 30,						September 30,						Inception
	Health Information Solutions		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Severance-related costs		$	14		$	516		$	2,362		$	1,735		$	5,407
	Facility and transition costs			—			465			4,271			590			5,505
	Other exit costs			82			5			134			5			149
	Cash charges			96			986			6,767			2,330			11,061
	Fixed asset and inventory impairments			—			—			75			—			2,764
	Intangible asset impairments			—			—			—			—			2,988
	Other non-cash charges			—			—			(953	)		—			(984	)
	Total charges		$	96		$	986		$	5,889		$	2,330		$	15,829
	The following table summarizes the restructuring activities related to our 2011, 2010 and 2008 restructuring plans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 and since inception (in thousands):
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended						Since
			September 30,						September 30,						Inception
	Professional Diagnostics		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Severance-related costs		$	46		$	639		$	242		$	2,914		$	19,955
	Facility and transition costs			112			464			442			1,348			7,669
	Other exit costs			14			16			45			52			743
	Cash charges			172			1,119			729			4,314			28,367
	Fixed asset and inventory impairments			350			290			350			424			6,724
	Intangible asset impairments			686			—			686			—			686
	Total charges		$	1,208		$	1,409		$	1,765		$	4,738		$	35,777
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended						Since
			September 30,						September 30,						Inception
	Health Information Solutions		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Severance-related costs		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	6,901
	Facility and transition costs			—			114			—			(59	)		8,010
	Other exit costs			13			27			47			101			559
	Cash charges			13			141			47			42			15,470
Fixed asset and inventory impairments			—			—			—			85			1,114
Intangible asset impairments			—			—			—			—			2,935
Other non-cash charges			—			—			—			—			761
Total charges		$	13		$	141		$	47		$	127		$	20,280
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended						Since
		September 30,						September 30,						Inception
Corporate and Other		2013			2012			2013			2012
Severance-related costs		$	—		$	5		$	—		$	31		$	1,219
Cash charges			—			5			—			31			1,219
Fixed asset and inventory impairments			—			—			—			—			3
Total charges		$	—		$	5		$	—		$	31		$	1,222
Cash Activity for Restructuring Reserves	'
	The following table summarizes our restructuring reserves related to the plans described above, of which $8.7 million is included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities and $2.0 million is included in other long-term liabilities on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):
			Severance-			Facility and			Other Exit			Total
			related			Transition			Costs
			Costs			Costs
	Balance, December 31, 2012		$	3,167		$	2,429		$	622		$	6,218
	Cash charges			9,436			6,820			228			16,484
	Payments			(7,515	)		(4,149	)		(227	)		(11,891	)
	Currency adjustments			(72	)		5			—			(67	)
	Balance, September 30, 2013		$	5,016		$	5,105		$	623		$	10,744

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-Term Debt Balances Outstanding	'
	We had the following long-term debt balances outstanding (in thousands):
			September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	A term loans(1)(2)		$	843,750		$	878,438
	B term loans(1)			906,500			913,438
	Incremental B-1 term loans(1)			245,625			247,500
	Incremental B-2 term loans(1)			195,470			196,739
	Revolving line of credit(1)			170,000			22,500
	7.25% Senior notes			450,000			450,000
	7.875% Senior notes			—			1,809
	9% Senior subordinated notes			—			392,933
	8.625% Senior subordinated notes			400,000			400,000
	6.5% Senior subordinated notes			425,000			—
	3% Convertible senior subordinated notes			150,000			150,000
	Other lines of credit			150			31,957
	Other			51,738			3,593
				3,838,233			3,688,907
	Less: Current portion			(47,701	)		(60,232	)
			$	3,790,532		$	3,628,675
	(1)	Incurred under our secured credit facility.
	(2)	Includes “A” term loans and “Delayed Draw” term loans under our secured credit facility.
Long-Term Debt Interest Expense	'
	In connection with our significant long-term debt issuances, we recorded interest expense, including amortization and write-offs of deferred financing costs and original issue discounts, in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, as follows (in thousands):
			Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2013			2012			2013		2012
	Secured credit facility (1)		$	25,809		$	27,474		$	78,741	$	77,422
	7.25% Senior notes			8,535			—			25,371		—
	7.875% Senior notes (2)			—			5,763			137		17,276
	9% Senior subordinated notes (3)			—			10,373			54,043		31,090
	8.625% Senior subordinated notes			9,273			9,274			27,820		27,823
	6.5% Senior subordinated notes			7,172			—			10,185		—
	3% Senior subordinated convertible notes			1,246			1,246			3,738		3,738
			$	52,035		$	54,130		$	200,035	$	157,349
	(1)	Includes “A” term loans, including the “Delayed-Draw” term loans; “B” term loans; “Incremental B-1” term loans; “Incremental B-2” term loans; and revolving line of credit loans. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the amounts include $0.4 million and $2.2 million, respectively, related to the amortization of fees paid for certain debt modifications. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the amount includes $1.3 million and $4.0 million, respectively, related to the amortization of fees paid for certain debt modifications.
	(2)	For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, this amount includes an approximate $0.2 million loss recorded in connection with the repurchase of our 7.875% senior notes.
	(3)	An approximate $35.6 million loss in connection with the repurchase of our 9% senior subordinated notes has been included in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013. Included in the $35.6 million is $19.0 million related to tender offer consideration and call premium which has been classified within cash flow from financing activities in our consolidated statement of cash flows.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen1

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of Effect of Derivative Instruments in Consolidated Statement of Operations and in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	'
	The following table summarizes the effect of derivative instruments in our accompanying consolidated statement of operations (in thousands):
	Derivative Instruments	Location of Gain	Amount of Gain		Amount of Gain
		Recognized in Income	Recognized		Recognized
			During the Three		During the Nine
			Months Ended		Months Ended
			September 30,		September 30,
			2012		2012
	Foreign currency forward contracts	Other comprehensive income (loss)	$	10	$	465
	Total gain	Other comprehensive income (loss)	$	10	$	465

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Valuation Techniques	'
	The following tables present information about our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques we utilized to determine such fair value (in thousands):
	Description		September 30, 2013			Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Unobservable Inputs
						Active Markets		Observable Inputs		(Level 3)
						(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Marketable securities		$	820		$	820	$	—	$	—
	Total assets		$	820		$	820	$	—	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Contingent consideration obligations (1)		$	234,559		$	—	$	—	$	234,559
	Total liabilities		$	234,559		$	—	$	—	$	234,559
	Description		December 31, 2012			Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Unobservable Inputs
						Active Markets		Observable Inputs		(Level 3)
						(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Marketable securities		$	904		$	904	$	—	$	—
	Total assets		$	904		$	904	$	—	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Contingent consideration obligations (1)		$	176,172		$	—	$	—	$	176,172
	Total liabilities		$	176,172		$	—	$	—	$	176,172
	(1)	We determine the fair value of the contingent consideration obligations based on a probability-weighted approach derived from earn-out criteria estimates and a probability assessment with respect to the likelihood of achieving the various earn-out criteria. The measurement is based upon significant inputs not observable in the market. Significant increases or decreases in any of these inputs could result in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement. Changes in the fair value of these contingent consideration obligations are recorded as income or expense within operating income in our consolidated statements of operations.
Changes in Fair Value of Contingent Consideration Obligations	'
	Changes in the fair value of our Level 3 contingent consideration obligations during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were as follows (in thousands):
	Fair value of contingent consideration obligations, January 1, 2013		$	176,172
	Acquisition date fair value of contingent consideration obligations recorded			76,269
	Net reclassifications			(12	)
	Foreign currency			(150	)
	Payments			(36,703	)
	Present value accretion			7,359
	Adjustments, net (income) expense			11,624
	Fair value of contingent consideration obligations, September 30, 2013		$	234,559

Defined_Benefit_Pension_Plan_T

Defined Benefit Pension Plan (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Net Periodic Benefit Costs	'
	The net periodic benefit costs are as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Service cost	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
	Interest cost		182			199			543			596
	Expected return on plan assets		(156	)		(152	)		(465	)		(457	)
	Amortization of prior service costs		103			104			308			312
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	129		$	151		$	386		$	451

Financial_Information_by_Segme1

Financial Information by Segment (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Performance of Our Operating Segments Based on Revenue and Operating Income (Loss)	'
	We evaluate performance of our operating segments based on revenue and operating income (loss). Segment information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 is as follows (in thousands):
		Professional		Health			Consumer		Corporate			Total
		Diagnostics		Information			Diagnostics		and
				Solutions					Other
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013:
	Net revenue	$	590,801	$	134,233		$	28,848	$	—		$	753,882
	Operating income (loss)	$	53,189	$	(7,203	)	$	3,347	$	(29,034	)	$	20,299
	Depreciation and amortization	$	88,835	$	22,600		$	1,063	$	287		$	112,785
	Non-cash charge associated with acquired inventory	$	708	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	708
	Restructuring charge	$	6,033	$	1,661		$	—	$	—		$	7,694
	Stock-based compensation	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	5,662		$	5,662
	Loss on disposition	$	5,885	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	5,885
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2012:
	Net revenue	$	531,442	$	135,078		$	24,896	$	—		$	691,416
		Professional		Health			Consumer		Corporate			Total
		Diagnostics		Information			Diagnostics		and
				Solutions					Other
	Operating income (loss)	$	63,298	$	(14,357	)	$	4,615	$	(14,824	)	$	38,732
	Depreciation and amortization	$	85,030	$	24,313		$	1,167	$	239		$	110,749
	Restructuring charge	$	2,139	$	1,095		$	—	$	5		$	3,239
	Stock-based compensation	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	3,626		$	3,626
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013:
	Net revenue	$	1,777,055	$	403,215		$	76,846	$	—		$	2,257,116
	Operating income (loss)	$	185,925	$	(32,855	)	$	9,031	$	(66,909	)	$	95,192
	Depreciation and amortization	$	258,485	$	64,062		$	3,296	$	846		$	326,689
	Non-cash charge associated with acquired inventory	$	1,880	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	1,880
	Restructuring charge	$	9,162	$	10,468		$	—	$	—		$	19,630
	Stock-based compensation	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	14,462		$	14,462
	Loss on disposition	$	5,885	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	5,885
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012:
	Net revenue	$	1,589,909	$	404,452		$	68,701	$	—		$	2,063,062
	Operating income (loss)	$	196,728	$	(46,379	)	$	7,679	$	(49,884	)	$	108,144
	Depreciation and amortization	$	245,911	$	72,152		$	3,604	$	704		$	322,371
	Non-cash charge associated with acquired inventory	$	4,681	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	4,681
	Restructuring charge	$	7,750	$	2,351		$	—	$	31		$	10,132
	Stock-based compensation	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	11,868		$	11,868
	Assets:
	As of September 30, 2013	$	6,243,064	$	555,563		$	213,764	$	142,228		$	7,154,619
	As of December 31, 2012	$	6,214,847	$	593,172		$	192,748	$	67,161		$	7,067,928
Summary of Company's Net Revenue from Professional Diagnostics and Health Information Solutions Reporting Segments by Groups of Similar Products and Services	'
	The following tables summarize our net revenue from the professional diagnostics and health information solutions reporting segments by groups of similar products and services for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
	Professional Diagnostics Segment:	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013		2012			2013		2012
	Cardiology	$	116,281	$	122,372		$	349,650	$	386,795
	Infectious disease		172,739		136,561			520,289		425,398
	Toxicology		166,536		156,074			481,469		437,736
	Diabetes		53,150		35,670			178,138		100,628
	Other		78,607		78,077			235,992		230,519
	Net product sales and services revenue		587,313		528,754			1,765,538		1,581,076
	License and royalty revenue		3,488		2,688			11,517		8,833
	Professional diagnostics net revenue	$	590,801	$	531,442		$	1,777,055	$	1,589,909
	Health Information Solutions Segment:	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013		2012			2013		2012
	Disease and case management	$	56,554	$	57,383		$	163,258	$	165,277
	Wellness		22,223		24,290			75,753		80,881
	Women’s & children’s health		28,431		29,136			86,767		90,220
	Patient self-testing services		27,025		24,269			77,437		68,074
	Health information solutions net revenue	$	134,233	$	135,078		$	403,215	$	404,452

Related_Party_Transactions_Tab

Related Party Transactions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Balances with SPD within Consolidated Balance Sheets	'
	The following table summarizes our related party balances with SPD within our consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):
	Balance Sheet Caption:	September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
	Accounts receivable, net of allowances	$	9,984	$	7,317
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	13,221	$	9,161
	Deferred financing costs, net, and other non-current assets	$	12,955	$	14,629
	Accounts payable	$	25,437	$	21,258

Equity_Investments_Tables

Equity Investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity Method Investments And Joint Ventures [Abstract]	'
Financial Information for SPD and Techlab on Combined Condensed Results of Operations	'
	Summarized financial information for SPD and TechLab on a combined basis is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	Combined Condensed Results of Operations:	2013		2012		2013		2012
	Net revenue	$	49,272	$	54,650	$	153,096	$	165,483
	Gross profit	$	40,158	$	34,411	$	112,862	$	105,175
	Net income after taxes	$	10,543	$	5,399	$	25,549	$	20,083
Financial Information for SPD and Techlab on Combined Condensed Balance Sheets	'
	Combined Condensed Balance Sheet:	September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
	Current assets	$	95,764	$	79,842
	Non-current assets		37,909		38,991
	Total assets	$	133,673	$	118,833
	Current liabilities	$	39,468	$	45,084
	Non-current liabilities		6,268		6,791
	Total liabilities	$	45,736	$	51,875

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio1

Guarantor Financial Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Guarantor Financial Information Consolidating Statement of Operations	'
	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Net product sales	$	—		$	223,254		$	330,389		$	(44,605	)	$	509,038
	Services revenue		—			220,439			20,221			—			240,660
	Net product sales and services revenue		—			443,693			350,610			(44,605	)		749,698
	License and royalty revenue		—			5,103			4,057			(4,976	)		4,184
	Net revenue		—			448,796			354,667			(49,581	)		753,882
	Cost of net product sales		887			129,408			165,396			(37,457	)		258,234
	Cost of services revenue		—			120,032			10,292			(5,331	)		124,993
	Cost of net product sales and services revenue		887			249,440			175,688			(42,788	)		383,227
	Cost of license and royalty revenue		—			17			6,967			(4,975	)		2,009
	Cost of net revenue		887			249,457			182,655			(47,763	)		385,236
	Gross profit (loss)		(887	)		199,339			172,012			(1,818	)		368,646
	Operating expenses:
	Research and development		5,515			15,817			19,166			—			40,498
	Sales and marketing		1,579			81,107			76,901			—			159,587
	General and administrative		23,027			61,489			57,861			—			142,377
	Loss on disposition		—			—			5,885			—			5,885
	Operating income (loss)		(31,008	)		40,926			12,199			(1,818	)		20,299
	Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs		(52,318	)		(6,326	)		(2,721	)		7,945			(53,420	)
	Other income (expense), net		(6,775	)		5,770			81			(7,945	)		(8,869	)
	Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes		(90,101	)		40,370			9,559			(1,818	)		(41,990	)
	Provision (benefit) for income taxes		(29,302	)		14,928			(2,214	)		(560	)		(17,148	)
	Income (loss) before equity earnings (losses) of subsidiaries and unconsolidated entities, net of tax		(60,799	)		25,442			11,773			(1,258	)		(24,842	)
	Equity earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net of tax		41,246			(337	)		—			(40,909	)		—
	Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax		464			—			5,217			72			5,753
	Net income (loss)		(19,089	)		25,105			16,990			(42,095	)		(19,089	)
	Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests		—			—			359			—			359
	Net income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries		(19,089	)		25,105			16,631			(42,095	)		(19,448	)
	Preferred stock dividends		(5,367	)		—			—			—			(5,367	)
	Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$	(24,456	)	$	25,105		$	16,631		$	(42,095	)	$	(24,815	)
	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Net product sales	$	—		$	219,484		$	282,369		$	(42,040	)	$	459,813
	Services revenue		—			210,761			15,654			—			226,415
	Net product sales and services revenue		—			430,245			298,023			(42,040	)		686,228
	License and royalty revenue		—			(4,912	)		4,868			5,232			5,188
	Net revenue		—			425,333			302,891			(36,808	)		691,416
	Cost of net product sales		928			107,410			152,607			(37,333	)		223,612
	Cost of services revenue		—			115,212			7,161			(2,242	)		120,131
	Cost of net product sales and services revenue		928			222,622			159,768			(39,575	)		343,743
	Cost of license and royalty revenue		—			5			(3,339	)		5,232			1,898
	Cost of net revenue		928			222,627			156,429			(34,343	)		345,641
	Gross profit (loss)		(928	)		202,706			146,462			(2,465	)		345,775
	Operating expenses:
	Research and development		6,292			18,007			16,263			—			40,562
	Sales and marketing		1,220			85,866			73,558			—			160,644
	General and administrative		11,392			48,704			45,741			—			105,837
	Total operating expenses		18,904			152,577			135,562			—			307,043
	Operating income (loss)		(19,832	)		50,129			10,900			(2,465	)		38,732
	Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs		(54,324	)		(9,278	)		(2,783	)		11,524			(54,861	)
	Other income (expense), net		1,534			8,319			599			(11,524	)		(1,072	)
	Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes		(72,622	)		49,170			8,716			(2,465	)		(17,201	)
	Provision (benefit) for income taxes		(27,401	)		17,014			643			(933	)		(10,677	)
	Income (loss) before equity earnings (losses) of subsidiaries and unconsolidated entities, net of tax		(45,221	)		32,156			8,073			(1,532	)		(6,524	)
	Equity earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net of tax		41,052			(230	)		—			(40,822	)		—
	Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax		652			—			2,405			(50	)		3,007
Net income (loss)		(3,517	)		31,926			10,478			(42,404	)		(3,517	)
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests		—			—			286			—			286
Net income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries		(3,517	)		31,926			10,192			(42,404	)		(3,803	)
Preferred stock dividends		(5,352	)		—			—			—			(5,352	)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$	(8,869	)	$	31,926		$	10,192		$	(42,404	)	$	(9,155	)
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
(in thousands)
	Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
Net product sales	$	—		$	665,672		$	1,016,614		$	(143,410	)	$	1,538,876
Services revenue		—			644,760			60,367			—			705,127
Net product sales and services revenue		—			1,310,432			1,076,981			(143,410	)		2,244,003
License and royalty revenue		—			10,908			12,662			(10,457	)		13,113
Net revenue		—			1,321,340			1,089,643			(153,867	)		2,257,116
Cost of net product sales		2,722			367,552			519,559			(125,332	)		764,501
Cost of services revenue		—			355,930			28,511			(14,480	)		369,961
Cost of net product sales and services revenue		2,722			723,482			548,070			(139,812	)		1,134,462
Cost of license and royalty revenue		—			52			15,668			(10,456	)		5,264
Cost of net revenue		2,722			723,534			563,738			(150,268	)		1,139,726
Gross profit (loss)		(2,722	)		597,806			525,905			(3,599	)		1,117,390
Operating expenses:
Research and development		16,167			49,354			56,931			—			122,452
Sales and marketing		4,384			245,148			225,933			—			475,465
General and administrative		51,531			200,646			166,219			—			418,396
Loss on disposition		—			—			5,885			—			5,885
Operating income (loss)		(74,804	)		102,658			70,937			(3,599	)		95,192
Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs		(200,836	)		(19,729	)		(9,209	)		26,502			(203,272	)
Other income (expense), net		(7,612	)		17,665			8,173			(26,502	)		(8,276	)
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes		(283,252	)		100,594			69,901			(3,599	)		(116,356	)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		(102,473	)		44,896			22,663			(1,238	)		(36,152	)
Income (loss) before equity earnings (losses) of subsidiaries and unconsolidated entities, net of tax		(180,779	)		55,698			47,238			(2,361	)		(80,204	)
Equity earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net of tax		112,535			(1,510	)		—			(111,025	)		—
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax		1,278			—			11,932			28			13,238
Net income (loss)		(66,966	)		54,188			59,170			(113,358	)		(66,966	)
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests		—			—			601			—			601
Net income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries		(66,966	)		54,188			58,569			(113,358	)		(67,567	)
Preferred stock dividends		(15,926	)		—			—			—			(15,926	)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$	(82,892	)	$	54,188		$	58,569		$	(113,358	)	$	(83,493	)
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
(in thousands)
	Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
Net product sales	$	—		$	649,719		$	854,113		$	(104,807	)	$	1,399,025
Services revenue		—			605,193			47,511			—			652,704
Net product sales and services revenue		—			1,254,912			901,624			(104,807	)		2,051,729
License and royalty revenue		—			8,982			10,016			(7,665	)		11,333
Net revenue		—			1,263,894			911,640			(112,472	)		2,063,062
Cost of net product sales		2,635			311,722			456,760			(99,453	)		671,664
Cost of services revenue		—			311,718			22,074			(2,242	)		331,550
Cost of net product sales and services revenue		2,635			623,440			478,834			(101,695	)		1,003,214
Cost of license and royalty revenue		—			15			13,044			(7,665	)		5,394
Cost of net revenue		2,635			623,455			491,878			(109,360	)		1,008,608
Gross profit (loss)		(2,635	)		640,439			419,762			(3,112	)		1,054,454
Operating expenses:
Research and development		17,361			53,528			49,120			—			120,009
Sales and marketing		3,096			260,283			215,165			—			478,544
General and administrative		37,590			174,639			135,528			—			347,757
Total operating expenses		58,047			488,450			399,813			—			946,310
Operating income (loss)		(60,682	)		151,989			19,949			(3,112	)		108,144
Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs		(158,009	)		(31,291	)		(9,853	)		38,034			(161,119	)
Other income (expense), net		(2,552	)		33,550			21,606			(38,034	)		14,570
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes		(221,243	)		154,248			31,702			(3,112	)		(38,405	)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		(74,149	)		59,013			3,494			(979	)		(12,621	)
Income (loss) before equity earnings (losses) of subsidiaries and unconsolidated entities, net of tax		(147,094	)		95,235			28,208			(2,133	)		(25,784	)
Equity earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net of tax		129,929			(763	)		—			(129,166	)		—
Equity earnings (losses) of unconsolidated entities, net of tax		1,798			—			8,643			(24	)		10,417
Net income (loss)		(15,367	)		94,472			36,851			(131,323	)		(15,367	)
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests		—			—			137			—			137
Net income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries		(15,367	)		94,472			36,714			(131,323	)		(15,504	)
Preferred stock dividends		(15,940	)		—			—			—			(15,940	)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$	(31,307	)	$	94,472		$	36,714		$	(131,323	)	$	(31,444	)
Guarantor Financial Information Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Net income (loss)	$	(19,089	)	$	25,105		$	16,990		$	(42,095	)	$	(19,089	)
	Other comprehensive income, before tax:
	Changes in cumulative translation adjustment		524			—			66,742			2			67,268
	Unrealized gains on hedging instruments		—			—			20			—			20
	Minimum pension liability adjustment		—			—			(369	)		—			(369	)
	Other comprehensive income, before tax		524			—			66,393			2			66,919
	Income tax provision (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income		—			—			—			—			—
	Other comprehensive income, net of tax		524			—			66,393			2			66,919
	Comprehensive income (loss)		(18,565	)		25,105			83,383			(42,093	)		47,830
	Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests		—			—			359			—			359
	Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	$	(18,565	)	$	25,105		$	83,024		$	(42,093	)	$	47,471
	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Net income (loss)	$	(3,517	)	$	31,926		$	10,478		$	(42,404	)	$	(3,517	)
	Other comprehensive income, before tax:
	Changes in cumulative translation adjustment		132			1			36,027			3,535			39,695
	Unrealized gains on available for sale securities		141			—			—			—			141
	Unrealized gains on hedging instruments		—			—			10			—			10
	Minimum pension liability adjustment		—			—			(98	)		—			(98	)
	Other comprehensive income, before tax		273			1			35,939			3,535			39,748
	Income tax provision related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)		360			—			—			—			360
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		(87	)		1			35,939			3,535			39,388
	Comprehensive income (loss)		(3,604	)		31,927			46,417			(38,869	)		35,871
	Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests		—			—			286			—			286
	Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	$	(3,604	)	$	31,927		$	46,131		$	(38,869	)	$	35,585
	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
	For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Net income (loss)	$	(66,966	)	$	54,188		$	59,170		$	(113,358	)	$	(66,966	)
	Other comprehensive loss, before tax:
	Changes in cumulative translation adjustment		(329	)		—			(42,188	)		2			(42,515	)
	Unrealized gains on hedging instruments		—			—			31			—			31
	Minimum pension liability adjustment		—			—			335			—			335
	Other comprehensive loss, before tax		(329	)		—			(41,822	)		2			(42,149	)
	Income tax provision (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive loss		—			—			—			—			—
	Other comprehensive loss, net of tax		(329	)		—			(41,822	)		2			(42,149	)
	Comprehensive income (loss)		(67,295	)		54,188			17,348			(113,356	)		(109,115	)
	Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests		—			—			601			—			601
	Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	$	(67,295	)	$	54,188		$	16,747		$	(113,356	)	$	(109,716	)
	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
	For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Net income (loss)	$	(15,367	)	$	94,472		$	36,851		$	(131,323	)	$	(15,367	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
	Changes in cumulative translation adjustment		(100	)		(302	)		37,136			2,123			38,857
	Unrealized gains on available for sale securities		926			5			—			—			931
	Unrealized gains on hedging instruments		17			—			448			—			465
	Minimum pension liability adjustment		—			—			(218	)		—			(218	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax		843			(297	)		37,366			2,123			40,035
	Income tax provision related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)		360			—			—			—			360
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		483			(297	)		37,366			2,123			39,675
Comprehensive income (loss)		(14,884	)		94,175			74,217			(129,200	)		24,308
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests		—			—			137			—			137
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	$	(14,884	)	$	94,175		$	74,080		$	(129,200	)	$	24,171
Guarantor Financial Information Consolidating Balance Sheet	'
	CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	September 30, 2013
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	47,863		$	76,234		$	229,896		$	—		$	353,993
	Restricted cash		4,439			2,309			1,157			—			7,905
	Marketable securities		—			815			5			—			820
	Accounts receivable, net of allowances		—			256,578			312,295			—			568,873
	Inventories, net		—			170,372			225,894			(25,818	)		370,448
	Deferred tax assets		8,749			35,980			9,440			4,008			58,177
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		3,911			34,732			75,999			(41	)		114,601
	Intercompany receivables		332,124			714,131			61,898			(1,108,153	)		—
	Total current assets		397,086			1,291,151			916,584			(1,130,004	)		1,474,817
	Property, plant and equipment, net		9,048			291,621			243,981			(379	)		544,271
	Goodwill		—			1,810,036			1,293,459			—			3,103,495
	Other intangible assets with indefinite lives		—			12,900			46,053			—			58,953
	Finite-lived intangible assets, net		8,786			1,003,272			735,480			—			1,747,538
	Restricted cash—non-current		—			—			29,045			—			29,045
	Deferred financing costs, net and other non-current assets		58,996			9,299			18,247			(53	)		86,489
	Investments in subsidiaries		4,473,400			274,450			127,711			(4,875,561	)		—
	Investments in unconsolidated entities		30,221			—			58,049			13,552			101,822
	Deferred tax assets		—			—			8,189			—			8,189
	Intercompany notes receivable		1,541,655			665,623			97,887			(2,305,165	)		—
	Total assets	$	6,519,192		$	5,358,352		$	3,574,685		$	(8,297,610	)	$	7,154,619
	LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
	Current liabilities:
	Short-term debt	$	—		$	—		$	25		$	—		$	25
	Current portion of long-term debt		45,000			348			2,353			—			47,701
	Current portion of capital lease obligations		—			3,808			2,725			—			6,533
	Accounts payable		18,702			77,163			99,126			—			194,991
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		(381,276	)		604,035			225,084			(615	)		447,228
	Intercompany payables		677,842			149,645			280,668			(1,108,155	)		—
	Total current liabilities		360,268			834,999			609,981			(1,108,770	)		696,478
	Long-term liabilities:
	Long-term debt, net of current portion		3,750,057			150			40,325			—			3,790,532
	Capital lease obligations, net of current portion		—			6,133			8,793			—			14,926
	Deferred tax liabilities		(27,768	)		282,942			97,211			474			352,859
	Other long-term liabilities		20,198			57,762			131,776			(53	)		209,683
	Intercompany notes payables		330,967			1,503,599			470,599			(2,305,165	)		—
	Total long-term liabilities		4,073,454			1,850,586			748,704			(2,304,744	)		4,368,000
	Stockholders’ equity		2,085,470			2,672,767			2,211,329			(4,884,096	)		2,085,470
	Non-controlling interests		—			—			4,671			—			4,671
	Total equity		2,085,470			2,672,767			2,216,000			(4,884,096	)		2,090,141
	Total liabilities and equity	$	6,519,192		$	5,358,352		$	3,574,685		$	(8,297,610	)	$	7,154,619
	CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	December 31, 2012
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	3,623		$	67,449		$	257,274		$	—		$	328,346
	Restricted cash		—			1,680			1,396			—			3,076
	Marketable securities		—			787			117			—			904
	Accounts receivable, net of allowances		—			241,050			283,282			—			524,332
	Inventories, net		—			142,413			203,230			(8,522	)		337,121
	Deferred tax assets		12,193			39,601			13,138			2,790			67,722
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(20,636	)		99,271			66,634			(33	)		145,236
	Intercompany receivables		298,812			1,254,727			55,847			(1,609,386	)		—
	Total current assets		293,992			1,846,978			880,918			(1,615,151	)		1,406,737
Property, plant and equipment, net		2,679			293,260			239,082			(552	)		534,469
Goodwill		—			1,820,438			1,227,967			—			3,048,405
Other intangible assets with indefinite lives		—			14,600			21,851			—			36,451
Finite-lived intangible assets, net		24,701			1,132,656			676,868			—			1,834,225
Deferred financing costs, net and other non-current assets		78,522			10,341			20,065			(71	)		108,857
Investments in subsidiaries		4,114,478			222,175			73,940			(4,410,593	)		—
Investments in unconsolidated entities		33,979			—			56,512			—			90,491
Deferred tax assets		—			782			7,511			—			8,293
Intercompany notes receivable		1,724,650			722,552			1,278			(2,448,480	)		—
Total assets	$	6,273,001		$	6,063,782		$	3,205,992		$	(8,474,847	)	$	7,067,928
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	$	45,000		$	349		$	14,883		$	—		$	60,232
Current portion of capital lease obligations		—			3,209			3,475			—			6,684
Accounts payable		7,993			76,256			85,725			—			169,974
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		(388,830	)		586,116			214,659			(26	)		411,919
Intercompany payables		557,578			806,507			245,300			(1,609,385	)		—
Total current liabilities		221,741			1,472,437			564,042			(1,609,411	)		648,809
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt, net of current portion		3,617,068			374			11,233			—			3,628,675
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion		—			5,412			7,505			—			12,917
Deferred tax liabilities		(5,329	)		333,388			100,216			(87	)		428,188
Other long-term liabilities		17,678			72,890			76,138			(71	)		166,635
Intercompany notes payables		241,421			1,630,376			576,684			(2,448,481	)		—
Total long-term liabilities		3,870,838			2,042,440			771,776			(2,448,639	)		4,236,415
Stockholders’ equity		2,180,422			2,548,905			1,867,892			(4,416,797	)		2,180,422
Non-controlling interests		—			—			2,282			—			2,282
Total equity		2,180,422			2,548,905			1,870,174			(4,416,797	)		2,182,704
Total liabilities and equity	$	6,273,001		$	6,063,782		$	3,205,992		$	(8,474,847	)	$	7,067,928
Guarantor Financial Information Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows	'
	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
	For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
	Net income (loss)	$	(66,966	)	$	54,188		$	59,170		$	(113,358	)	$	(66,966	)
	Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
	Equity (earnings) losses of subsidiaries, net of tax		(112,535	)		1,510			—			111,025			—
	Non-cash interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and write-off of deferred financing costs		13,814			229			45			—			14,088
	Depreciation and amortization		3,731			188,745			134,317			(104	)		326,689
	Non-cash charges for sale of inventories revalued at the date of acquisition		—			—			1,880			—			1,880
	Non-cash stock-based compensation expense		5,836			3,646			4,980			—			14,462
	Impairment of inventory		—			27			216			—			243
	Impairment of long-lived assets		—			2,954			1,147			—			4,101
	Loss on sale of fixed assets		—			1,118			731			—			1,849
	Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax		(1,278	)		—			(11,932	)		(28	)		(13,238	)
	Deferred income taxes		(17,386	)		(27,285	)		(27,830	)		(1,154	)		(73,655	)
	Loss on extinguishment of debt		35,603			—			—			—			35,603
	Loss on disposition		—			—			5,885			—			5,885
	Bargain purchase gain		—			—			(5,707	)		—			(5,707	)
	Other non-cash items		5,201			(8	)		1,481			—			1,481
	Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
	Accounts receivable, net		—			(15,528	)		(41,782	)		—			(57,310	)
	Inventories, net		—			(45,883	)		(30,615	)		3,771			(72,727	)
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(64,547	)		67,871			(4,941	)		(7,515	)		(9,132	)
	Accounts payable		5,918			(1,453	)		11,516			—			15,981
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		10,396			17,570			2,342			6,934			37,242
	Other non-current liabilities		(915	)		(15,197	)		8,739			516			(6,857	)
	Intercompany payable (receivable)		298,083			(182,214	)		(115,869	)		—			—
	Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		114,955			50,290			(6,227	)		87			159,105
	Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
	Increase in restricted cash		(4,439	)		(630	)		(28,812	)		—			(33,881	)
	Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(1,037	)		(42,950	)		(58,860	)		11,939			(90,908	)
	Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment		—			6,908			11,186			(12,263	)		5,831
	Cash received from disposition		—			—			32,000			—			32,000
	Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(157,373	)		—			(8,823	)		—			(166,196	)
	Cash received from equity method investments		490			—			10,772			—			11,262
	(Increase) decrease in other assets		19,244			(2,047	)		2,065			(18	)		19,244
	Net cash used in investing activities		(143,115	)		(38,719	)		(40,472	)		(342	)		(222,648	)
	Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
	Cash paid for financing costs		(9,798	)		—			—			—			(9,798	)
	Cash paid for contingent purchase price consideration		(27,165	)		—			(331	)		—			(27,496	)
	Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs		17,555			—			—			—			17,555
	Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		425,000			989			34,152			—			460,141
	Payments on long-term debt		(446,845	)		(1,213	)		(7,099	)		—			(455,157	)
	Net proceeds (payments) under revolving credit facilities		147,500			—			(8,732	)		—			138,768
	Borrowings from short-term debt		—			—			25			—			25
	Cash paid for dividends		(15,970	)		—			—			—			(15,970	)
	Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options		205			181			48			—			434
	Principal payments on capital lease obligations		—			(2,715	)		(2,626	)		—			(5,341	)
	Other		(18,953	)		—			—			—			(18,953	)
	Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		71,529			(2,758	)		15,437			—			84,208
	Foreign exchange effect on cash and cash equivalents		871			(28	)		3,884			255			4,982
	Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		44,240			8,785			(27,378	)		—			25,647
	Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		3,623			67,449			257,274			—			328,346
	Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	47,863		$	76,234		$	229,896		$	—		$	353,993
	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
	For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$	(15,367	)	$	94,472		$	36,851		$	(131,323	)	$	(15,367	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity (earnings) losses of subsidiaries, net of tax		(129,929	)		763			—			129,166			—
Non-cash interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs		15,929			158			—			—			16,087
Depreciation and amortization		4,314			198,576			119,462			19			322,371
Non-cash charges for sale of inventories revalued at the date of acquisition		—			1,400			3,281			—			4,681
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense		3,119			4,309			4,440			—			11,868
Impairment of inventory		—			5			290			—			295
Impairment of long-lived assets		—			219			55			—			274
(Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment		3			(4,029	)		(168	)		—			(4,194	)
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax		(1,798	)		—			(8,643	)		24			(10,417	)
Deferred income taxes		20,901			(38,495	)		(25,122	)		(903	)		(43,619	)
Other non-cash items		(1,156	)		685			6,207			—			5,736
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable, net		—			(6,468	)		(1,793	)		—			(8,261	)
Inventories, net		—			4,881			(23,303	)		2,826			(15,596	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(419,146	)		410,233			13,059			25			4,171
Accounts payable		3,961			(2,327	)		(18,377	)		—			(16,743	)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		354,452			(323,909	)		(5,843	)		(584	)		24,116
Other non-current liabilities		(7,158	)		(1,634	)		(13,275	)		428			(21,639	)
Intercompany payable (receivable)		297,741			(322,706	)		27,088			(2,123	)		—
Net cash provided by operating activities		125,866			16,133			114,209			(2,445	)		253,763
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Decrease in restricted cash		—			12			5,759			—			5,771
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(1,149	)		(69,092	)		(94,311	)		67,243			(97,309	)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment		—			22,230			66,281			(66,128	)		22,383
Cash received from (paid for) acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(364,731	)		1,469			(21,518	)		—			(384,780	)
Cash received from sales of marketable securities		—			268			3			—			271
Net cash received from equity method investments		490			—			6,066			—			6,556
(Increase) decrease in other assets		(10,028	)		(615	)		1,275			55			(9,313	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(375,418	)		(45,728	)		(36,445	)		1,170			(456,421	)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Cash paid for financing costs		(2,313	)		—			—			—			(2,313	)
Cash paid for contingent purchase price consideration		(16,248	)		—			—			—			(16,248	)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs		14,260			—			—			—			14,260
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		198,000			—			288			—			198,288
Payments on long-term debt		(33,250	)		(455	)		(8,848	)		—			(42,553	)
Net proceeds (payments) under revolving credit facilities		97,500			(2	)		(6,336	)		—			91,162
Payments on short-term debt		(6,240	)		—			—			—			(6,240	)
Cash paid for dividends		(15,970	)		—			—			—			(15,970	)
Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options		183			74			20			—			277
Principal payments on capital lease obligations		—			(1,503	)		(3,422	)		—			(4,925	)
Other		—			—			(2,811	)		—			(2,811	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		235,922			(1,886	)		(21,109	)		—			212,927
Foreign exchange effect on cash and cash equivalents		1,508			331			(10,302	)		1,275			(7,188	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(12,122	)		(31,150	)		46,353			—			3,081
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		12,451			95,212			191,510			—			299,173
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	329		$	64,062		$	237,863		$	—		$	302,254

Cash_and_Cash_Equivalents_Addi

Cash and Cash Equivalents - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Abstract]	'
Cash investments maturity period	'Three months or less

Restricted_Cash_Additional_Inf

Restricted Cash - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Abstract]	'
Total restricted cash	$36.90
Non-current restricted cash	$29
Period for collateralized assets	'2 years

Inventories_Inventories_are_St

Inventories - Inventories are Stated at the Lower of Cost (First In, First Out) or Market (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Raw materials	$115,441	$99,498
Work-in-process	83,571	89,895
Finished goods	171,436	147,728
Inventories, net	$370,448	$337,121

StockBased_Compensation_StockB

Stock-Based Compensation - Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	$5,662	$3,626	$14,462	$11,868
Benefit for income taxes	-1,511	-536	-2,869	-1,951
Stock-based compensation, net of tax	4,151	3,090	11,593	9,917
Cost of Net Revenue [Member]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	287	269	797	801
Research and Development [Member]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	1,111	752	2,641	2,379
Sales and Marketing [Member]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	975	751	2,597	2,581
General and Administrative [Member]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	$3,289	$1,854	$8,427	$6,107

Net_Loss_Per_Common_Share_Comp

Net Loss Per Common Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Common Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Numerator:	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	($19,089)	($3,517)	($66,966)	($15,367)
Preferred stock dividends	-5,367	-5,352	-15,926	-15,940
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	359	286	601	137
Net loss available to common stockholders	($24,815)	($9,155)	($83,493)	($31,444)
Denominator:	'	'	'	'
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	81,735	80,792	81,417	80,492
Basic and diluted net loss per common share attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	($0.30)	($0.11)	($1.03)	($0.39)

Net_Loss_Per_Common_Share_Pote

Net Loss Per Common Share - Potential Dilutive Securities Not Included in Calculation of Diluted Net Loss Per Common Share (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Denominator:	'	'	'	'
Total number of antidilutive potentially issuable shares of common stock excluded from diluted common shares outstanding	23,920	23,411	23,920	23,411
Options to Purchase Shares of Common Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Denominator:	'	'	'	'
Total number of antidilutive potentially issuable shares of common stock excluded from diluted common shares outstanding	10,239	9,730	10,239	9,730
Warrants [Member]	'	'	'	'
Denominator:	'	'	'	'
Total number of antidilutive potentially issuable shares of common stock excluded from diluted common shares outstanding	4	4	4	4
Convertible Shares Related to 3% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Denominator:	'	'	'	'
Total number of antidilutive potentially issuable shares of common stock excluded from diluted common shares outstanding	3,411	3,411	3,411	3,411
Conversion Shares Related to Subordinated Convertible Promissory Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Denominator:	'	'	'	'
Total number of antidilutive potentially issuable shares of common stock excluded from diluted common shares outstanding	27	27	27	27
Conversion Shares Related to Series B Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Denominator:	'	'	'	'
Total number of antidilutive potentially issuable shares of common stock excluded from diluted common shares outstanding	10,239	10,239	10,239	10,239

Net_Loss_Per_Common_Share_Pote1

Net Loss Per Common Share - Potential Dilutive Securities Not Included in Calculation of Diluted Net Loss Per Common Share (Parenthetical) (Detail) (Convertible Shares Related to 3% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes [Member])	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Convertible Shares Related to 3% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]	'	'
Dilutive Securities Included And Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate of debt instrument	3.00%	3.00%

Stockholders_Equity_and_NonCon2

Stockholders' Equity and Non-Controlling Interests - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Preferred stock dividends	$5,367,000	$5,352,000	$15,926,000	$15,940,000
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Preferred stock dividends	5,300,000	5,400,000	15,900,000	15,900,000
Series B preferred stock dividends was accrued	$5,300,000	'	$5,300,000	'

Stockholders_Equity_and_NonCon3

Stockholders' Equity and Non-Controlling Interests - Summary of Changes in Stockholders' Equity and Non-Controlling Interests Comprising Total Equity (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Equity And Noncontrolling Interests [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Equity, beginning of period	'	'	$2,182,704	$2,231,574
Exercise of common stock options, warrants and shares issued under employee stock purchase plan	'	'	17,555	14,261
Issuance of common stock for settlement of an acquisition-related contingent consideration obligation	'	'	'	1,243
Preferred stock dividends	'	'	-15,970	-15,970
Stock-based compensation related to grants of common stock options	'	'	14,462	11,868
Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options	'	'	-1,283	-437
Non-controlling interest from acquisition	'	'	1,788	'
Purchase of subsidiary shares from non-controlling interests	'	'	'	-35,079
Dividend relating to non-controlling interest	'	'	'	-236
Net income (loss)	-19,089	-3,517	-66,966	-15,367
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	66,919	39,388	-42,149	39,675
Equity, end of period	2,090,141	2,231,595	2,090,141	2,231,595
Issuer [Member]	'	'	'	'
Equity And Noncontrolling Interests [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Equity, beginning of period	'	'	2,180,422	2,229,234
Exercise of common stock options, warrants and shares issued under employee stock purchase plan	'	'	17,555	14,261
Issuance of common stock for settlement of an acquisition-related contingent consideration obligation	'	'	'	1,243
Preferred stock dividends	'	'	-15,970	-15,970
Stock-based compensation related to grants of common stock options	'	'	14,462	11,868
Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options	'	'	-1,283	-437
Purchase of subsidiary shares from non-controlling interests	'	'	'	-35,079
Net income (loss)	'	'	-67,567	-15,504
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	-42,149	39,675
Equity, end of period	2,085,470	2,229,291	2,085,470	2,229,291
Non-controlling Interests [Member]	'	'	'	'
Equity And Noncontrolling Interests [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Equity, beginning of period	'	'	2,282	2,340
Non-controlling interest from acquisition	'	'	1,788	'
Dividend relating to non-controlling interest	'	'	'	-236
Net income (loss)	'	'	601	200
Equity, end of period	$4,671	$2,304	$4,671	$2,304

Business_Combinations_Addition

Business Combinations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Jul. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Feb. 01, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Pantech Proprietary [Member]

AmMed, Diagnostik and NationsHealth [Member]

Cardio Selfcare [Member]

Mega Medika, Alere Health Services and Pantech (Member)

Liberty Business [Member]

Epocal [Member]

Epocal [Member]

Other [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

General and administrative expense related to acquisition

$500,000

$800,000

$1,800,000

$6,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Preliminary aggregate purchase price

'

'

'

'

494,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

248,500,000

'

47,700,000

Total cash payments

209,247,000

'

209,247,000

'

418,903,000

'

'

'

'

'

173,500,000

173,461,000

35,786,000

Acquisition date fair value investment

76,264,000

'

76,264,000

'

75,620,000

'

'

'

'

'

75,000,000

75,000,000

1,264,000

Deferred purchase price consideration

768,000

'

768,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

768,000

Bargain purchase gain

'

'

5,707,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

8,000,000

'

'

8,023,000

Percentage of incremental ownership interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

51.00%

'

'

'

'

'

Interest in Pantech Proprietary Limited

'

'

'

'

'

74.90%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total revenue related to acquisition

26,600,000

14,400,000

59,500,000

26,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill

3,103,495,000

239,300,000

3,103,495,000

239,300,000

3,048,405,000

'

'

'

1,600,000

'

'

'

'

Goodwill deductible for tax purposes

'

'

'

'

'

'

$8,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business_Combinations_Prelimin

Business Combinations - Preliminary Fair Values of Net Assets Acquired for Acquisitions (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Feb. 01, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
			Epocal [Member]	Epocal [Member]	Other [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Current assets	$25,057	$47,228	$12,089	'	$12,968
Property, plant and equipment	2,936	9,029	1,267	'	1,669
Goodwill	101,078	240,576	99,449	'	1,629
Intangible assets	207,320	325,223	164,400	'	42,920
Other non-current assets	17,639	17,261	17,610	'	29
Total assets acquired	354,030	639,317	294,815	'	59,215
Current liabilities	8,025	28,214	2,627	'	5,398
Non-current liabilities	49,929	116,580	43,727	'	6,202
Total liabilities assumed	57,954	144,794	46,354	'	11,600
Net assets acquired	296,076	494,523	248,461	'	47,615
Contingent consideration	76,264	75,620	75,000	75,000	1,264
Non-controlling interest	1,774	'	'	'	1,774
Bargain purchase gain	5,707	'	'	'	8,023
Deferred purchase price consideration	768	'	'	'	768
Cash paid	$209,247	$418,903	$173,461	$173,500	$35,786

Business_Combinations_Prelimin1

Business Combinations - Preliminary Fair Values of Net Assets Acquired for Acquisitions (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'	'
Cash acquired	$3.30	$3.80

Business_Combinations_Intangib

Business Combinations - Intangible Assets Acquired and Their Respective Fair Values and Weighted-Average Useful Lives (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Total intangible assets	$207,320	$325,223
In-Process Research and Development [Member]	'	'
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Acquired indefinite-lived intangible asset, amount	24,200	4,900
Epocal [Member]	'	'
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Total intangible assets	164,400	'
Epocal [Member] | In-Process Research and Development [Member]	'	'
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Acquired indefinite-lived intangible asset, amount	24,200	'
Other [Member]	'	'
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Total intangible assets	42,920	'
Core Technology and Patents [Member]	'	'
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount	119,700	148,103
Weighted-average Useful Life	'20 years	'18 years 8 months 12 days
Core Technology and Patents [Member] | Epocal [Member]	'	'
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount	119,700	'
Software [Member]	'	'
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount	804	'
Weighted-average Useful Life	'10 years	'
Software [Member] | Other [Member]	'	'
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount	804	'
Trademarks and Trade Names [Member]	'	'
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount	20,510	19,390
Weighted-average Useful Life	'19 years 2 months 12 days	'18 years 3 months 18 days
Trademarks and Trade Names [Member] | Epocal [Member]	'	'
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount	20,500	'
Trademarks and Trade Names [Member] | Other [Member]	'	'
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount	10	'
Customer Relationships [Member]	'	'
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount	36,290	136,485
Weighted-average Useful Life	'11 years 4 months 24 days	'18 years 1 month 6 days
Customer Relationships [Member] | Other [Member]	'	'
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount	36,290	'
Non-Competition Agreements [Member]	'	'
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount	'	1,118
Weighted-average Useful Life	'	'5 years 1 month 6 days
Other [Member]	'	'
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount	5,816	15,227
Weighted-average Useful Life	'3 years	'9 years 2 months 12 days
Other [Member] | Other [Member]	'	'
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount	$5,816	'

Restructuring_Plans_Aggregate_

Restructuring Plans - Aggregate Charges Associated with Restructuring Plans Recorded in Operating Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	$16,484	'
Cost of Net Revenue [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	3,556	1,080	4,908	2,069
Research and Development [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	1,100	'	1,745	638
Sales and Marketing [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	218	927	1,476	1,954
General and Administrative [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	2,820	1,232	11,501	5,471
Total Operating Expenses [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	7,694	3,239	19,630	10,132
Interest Expense, Including Amortization of Original Issue Discounts and Deferred Financing Costs [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	111	48	228	158
Total Charges [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	$7,805	$3,287	$19,858	$10,290

Restructuring_Plans_Restructur

Restructuring Plans - Restructuring Activities Related to Restructuring Plans (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		69 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	$16,484	'	'
Severance-Related Costs [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	9,436	'	'
Facility and Transition Costs [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	6,820	'	'
Other Exit Costs [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	228	'	'
2013 Restructuring Plans [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	7,102	'	12,601	'	'
2013 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Severance-Related Costs [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	5,216	'	7,358	'	'
2013 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Facility and Transition Costs [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	1,434	'	2,025	'	'
2013 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Other Exit Costs [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	2	'	2	'	'
2013 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Cash Charges [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	6,652	'	9,385	'	'
2013 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Fixed Asset and Inventory Impairments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	470	'	640	'	'
2013 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Other Non-Cash Charges [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	-20	'	-20	'	'
2013 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Intangible Asset Impairments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	2,596	'	'
Professional Diagnostics Business Segment [Member] | 2013 Restructuring Plans [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	5,453	'	7,887	'	'
Professional Diagnostics Business Segment [Member] | 2013 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Severance-Related Costs [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	3,876	'	5,960	'	'
Professional Diagnostics Business Segment [Member] | 2013 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Facility and Transition Costs [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	1,107	'	1,457	'	'
Professional Diagnostics Business Segment [Member] | 2013 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Cash Charges [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	4,983	'	7,417	'	'
Professional Diagnostics Business Segment [Member] | 2013 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Fixed Asset and Inventory Impairments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	470	'	470	'	'
Professional Diagnostics Business Segment [Member] | 2012 Restructuring Plans [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	-614	746	-444	3,064	4,711
Professional Diagnostics Business Segment [Member] | 2012 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Severance-Related Costs [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	-614	691	-526	3,009	4,206
Professional Diagnostics Business Segment [Member] | 2012 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Facility and Transition Costs [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	82	'	201
Professional Diagnostics Business Segment [Member] | 2012 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Cash Charges [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	-614	691	-444	3,009	4,407
Professional Diagnostics Business Segment [Member] | 2012 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Fixed Asset and Inventory Impairments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	55	'	55	304
Professional Diagnostics Business Segment [Member] | 2011, 2010 and 2008 Restructuring Plans [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	1,208	1,409	1,765	4,738	35,777
Professional Diagnostics Business Segment [Member] | 2011, 2010 and 2008 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Severance-Related Costs [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	46	639	242	2,914	19,955
Professional Diagnostics Business Segment [Member] | 2011, 2010 and 2008 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Facility and Transition Costs [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	112	464	442	1,348	7,669
Professional Diagnostics Business Segment [Member] | 2011, 2010 and 2008 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Other Exit Costs [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	14	16	45	52	743
Professional Diagnostics Business Segment [Member] | 2011, 2010 and 2008 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Cash Charges [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	172	1,119	729	4,314	28,367
Professional Diagnostics Business Segment [Member] | 2011, 2010 and 2008 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Fixed Asset and Inventory Impairments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	350	290	350	424	6,724
Professional Diagnostics Business Segment [Member] | 2011, 2010 and 2008 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Intangible Asset Impairments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	686	'	686	'	686
Health Information Solutions [Member] | 2013 Restructuring Plans [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	1,649	'	4,714	'	'
Health Information Solutions [Member] | 2013 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Severance-Related Costs [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	1,340	'	1,398	'	'
Health Information Solutions [Member] | 2013 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Facility and Transition Costs [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	327	'	568	'	'
Health Information Solutions [Member] | 2013 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Other Exit Costs [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	2	'	2	'	'
Health Information Solutions [Member] | 2013 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Cash Charges [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	1,669	'	1,968	'	'
Health Information Solutions [Member] | 2013 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Fixed Asset and Inventory Impairments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	170	'	'
Health Information Solutions [Member] | 2013 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Other Non-Cash Charges [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	-20	'	-20	'	'
Health Information Solutions [Member] | 2013 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Intangible Asset Impairments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	2,596	'	'
Health Information Solutions [Member] | 2012 Restructuring Plans [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	96	986	5,889	2,330	15,829
Health Information Solutions [Member] | 2012 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Severance-Related Costs [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	14	516	2,362	1,735	5,407
Health Information Solutions [Member] | 2012 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Facility and Transition Costs [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	465	4,271	590	5,505
Health Information Solutions [Member] | 2012 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Other Exit Costs [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	82	5	134	5	149
Health Information Solutions [Member] | 2012 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Cash Charges [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	96	986	6,767	2,330	11,061
Health Information Solutions [Member] | 2012 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Fixed Asset and Inventory Impairments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	75	'	2,764
Health Information Solutions [Member] | 2012 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Other Non-Cash Charges [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	-953	'	-984
Health Information Solutions [Member] | 2012 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Intangible Asset Impairments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	'	'	2,988
Health Information Solutions [Member] | 2011, 2010 and 2008 Restructuring Plans [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	13	141	47	127	20,280
Health Information Solutions [Member] | 2011, 2010 and 2008 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Severance-Related Costs [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	'	'	6,901
Health Information Solutions [Member] | 2011, 2010 and 2008 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Facility and Transition Costs [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	114	'	-59	8,010
Health Information Solutions [Member] | 2011, 2010 and 2008 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Other Exit Costs [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	13	27	47	101	559
Health Information Solutions [Member] | 2011, 2010 and 2008 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Cash Charges [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	13	141	47	42	15,470
Health Information Solutions [Member] | 2011, 2010 and 2008 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Fixed Asset and Inventory Impairments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	'	85	1,114
Health Information Solutions [Member] | 2011, 2010 and 2008 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Other Non-Cash Charges [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	'	'	761
Health Information Solutions [Member] | 2011, 2010 and 2008 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Intangible Asset Impairments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	'	'	2,935
Corporate and Other [Member] | 2011, 2010 and 2008 Restructuring Plans [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	5	'	31	1,222
Corporate and Other [Member] | 2011, 2010 and 2008 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Severance-Related Costs [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	5	'	31	1,219
Corporate and Other [Member] | 2011, 2010 and 2008 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Cash Charges [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	5	'	31	1,219
Corporate and Other [Member] | 2011, 2010 and 2008 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Fixed Asset and Inventory Impairments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	'	'	$3

Restructuring_Plans_Additional

Restructuring Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Restructuring reserve accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$8.70
Restructuring reserve other long-term liabilities	2
2013 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Professional Diagnostics Business Segment [Member]	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Additional costs	4.7
2013 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Europe [Member] | Professional Diagnostics Business Segment [Member]	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Cash charges remain unpaid	0.3
2013 Restructuring Plans [Member] | United States [Member] | Professional Diagnostics Business Segment [Member]	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Cash charges remain unpaid	1.1
2012 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Professional Diagnostics Business Segment [Member]	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Additional costs	3.8
2012 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Health Information Solutions [Member]	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Additional costs	0.5
2011, 2010 and 2008 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Professional Diagnostics Business Segment [Member]	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Additional costs	0.5
2011, 2010 and 2008 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Health Information Solutions [Member]	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Cash charges remain unpaid	$2.20

Restructuring_Plans_Cash_Activ

Restructuring Plans - Cash Activity for Restructuring Reserves (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	$6,218
Cash charges	16,484
Payments	-11,891
Currency adjustments	-67
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	10,744
Severance-Related Costs [Member]	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	3,167
Cash charges	9,436
Payments	-7,515
Currency adjustments	-72
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	5,016
Facility and Transition Costs [Member]	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	2,429
Cash charges	6,820
Payments	-4,149
Currency adjustments	5
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	5,105
Other Exit Costs [Member]	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	622
Cash charges	228
Payments	-227
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	$623

LongTerm_Debt_LongTerm_Debt_Ba

Long-Term Debt - Long-Term Debt Balances Outstanding (Detail) (USD $)

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

24-May-13

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

A Term Loans [Member]

A Term Loans [Member]

B Term Loans [Member]

B Term Loans [Member]

Incremental B-1 Term Loans [Member]

Incremental B-1 Term Loans [Member]

Incremental B-2 Term Loans [Member]

Incremental B-2 Term Loans [Member]

Revolving Line of Credit [Member]

Revolving Line of Credit [Member]

7.25% Senior Notes [Member]

7.25% Senior Notes [Member]

7.875% Senior Notes [Member]

9% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

8.625% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

8.625% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

3% Convertibles Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

3% Convertibles Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

Other Lines of Credit [Member]

Other Lines of Credit [Member]

Other [Member]

Other [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term debt, Total

$3,838,233

$3,688,907

$843,750

$878,438

$906,500

$913,438

$245,625

$247,500

$195,470

$196,739

$170,000

$22,500

$450,000

$450,000

$1,809

$392,933

$400,000

$400,000

$425,000

$425,000

$150,000

$150,000

$150

$31,957

$51,738

$3,593

Less: Current portion

-47,701

-60,232

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term debt, after discount, Total

$3,790,532

$3,628,675

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

LongTerm_Debt_LongTerm_Debt_Ba1

Long-Term Debt - Long-Term Debt Balances Outstanding (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2013	24-May-13	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012
7.25% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Long-term debt, Interest rate	7.25%	'	7.25%	'
7.875% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Long-term debt, Interest rate	7.88%	'	7.88%	7.88%
9% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Long-term debt, Interest rate	9.00%	9.00%	9.00%	9.00%
8.625% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Long-term debt, Interest rate	8.63%	'	8.63%	8.63%
6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Long-term debt, Interest rate	6.50%	6.50%	6.50%	'
3% Convertibles Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Long-term debt, Interest rate	3.00%	'	3.00%	3.00%

LongTerm_Debt_LongTerm_Debt_In

Long-Term Debt - Long-Term Debt Interest Expense (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Long-term debt issuance cost	$52,035	$54,130	$200,035	$157,349
Secured Credit Facility [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Long-term debt issuance cost	25,809	27,474	78,741	77,422
7.25% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Long-term debt issuance cost	8,535	'	25,371	'
7.875% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Long-term debt issuance cost	'	5,763	137	17,276
9% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Long-term debt issuance cost	'	10,373	54,043	31,090
8.625% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Long-term debt issuance cost	9,273	9,274	27,820	27,823
6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Long-term debt issuance cost	7,172	'	10,185	'
3% Convertibles Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Long-term debt issuance cost	$1,246	$1,246	$3,738	$3,738

LongTerm_Debt_LongTerm_Debt_In1

Long-Term Debt - Long-Term Debt Interest Expense (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

24-May-13

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

24-May-13

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

7.25% Senior Notes [Member]

7.25% Senior Notes [Member]

7.875% Senior Notes [Member]

7.875% Senior Notes [Member]

7.875% Senior Notes [Member]

9% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

9% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

9% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

9% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

8.625% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

8.625% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

8.625% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

3% Convertibles Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

3% Convertibles Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

3% Convertibles Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term debt, Interest rate

'

'

'

'

7.25%

7.25%

7.88%

7.88%

7.88%

9.00%

9.00%

9.00%

9.00%

8.63%

8.63%

8.63%

6.50%

6.50%

6.50%

3.00%

3.00%

3.00%

Amortization fee

$0.40

$1.30

$2.20

$4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss in repurchase of senior notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.2

'

'

35.6

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tender offer consideration and call premium amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$19

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

LongTerm_Debt_Additional_Infor

Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Mar. 22, 2013

24-May-13

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

24-May-13

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 24, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Mar. 22, 2013

Mar. 22, 2013

Secured Credit Facility [Member]

6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

9% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

9% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

9% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

9% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

9% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Period One [Member]

Period Two [Member]

Period Three [Member]

Period Four [Member]

Secured Credit Facility [Member]

Secured Credit Facility [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Basis point reductions in interest rate margins

'

'

0.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Consolidated secured leverage ratio, base rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.00%

2.75%

Consolidated secured leverage ratio, Eurodollar rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.00%

3.75%

Floor rate applicable to term loans based on Eurodollar rate

'

'

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term debt, Total

$3,838,233,000

$3,688,907,000

'

$425,000,000

$425,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$392,933,000

'

'

'

Long-term debt, Interest rate

'

'

'

6.50%

6.50%

6.50%

'

'

'

'

9.00%

9.00%

'

9.00%

9.00%

'

'

Initial offering price

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net proceeds from public offering

'

'

'

417,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net underwriter's commissions

'

'

'

7,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, maturity date

'

'

'

'

15-Jun-20

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of redemption premium

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.25%

1.63%

10.00%

0.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of principal amount used for redemption price

'

'

'

'

103.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of aggregate principal amount redeemed

'

'

'

'

35.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of aggregate principal amount redeemed paid

'

'

'

'

106.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of aggregate principal amount outstanding

'

'

'

'

65.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Period of redemption of notes

'

'

'

'

'90 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of aggregate of principal amount to be sold

'

'

'

'

101.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of purchase price of aggregate principal amount

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net proceeds from public offering

'

'

'

200,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Redemption of remaining outstanding principal

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

190,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of outstanding principal amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

47.70%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Remaining outstanding principal amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$209,400,000

'

'

'

'

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen2

Derivative Financial Instruments - Summary of Effect of Derivative Instruments in Consolidated Statement of Operations and in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) (Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Amount of Gain Recognized	$10	$465
Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Amount of Gain Recognized	$10	$465

Fair_Value_Measurements_Fair_V

Fair Value Measurements - Fair Value Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Valuation Techniques (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Marketable securities	$820	$904
Total assets	820	904
Liabilities:	'	'
Contingent consideration obligations	234,559	176,172
Total liabilities	234,559	176,172
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Marketable securities	820	904
Total assets	820	904
Liabilities:	'	'
Contingent consideration obligations	'	'
Total liabilities	'	'
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Marketable securities	'	'
Total assets	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'
Contingent consideration obligations	'	'
Total liabilities	'	'
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'
Contingent consideration obligations	234,559	176,172
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Marketable securities	'	'
Total assets	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'
Contingent consideration obligations	234,559	176,172
Total liabilities	$234,559	$176,172

Fair_Value_Measurements_Change

Fair Value Measurements - Changes in Fair Value of Contingent Consideration Obligations (Detail) (Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	'
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'
Fair value of contingent consideration obligations, January 1, 2013	$176,172
Acquisition date fair value of contingent consideration obligations recorded	76,269
Net reclassifications	-12
Foreign currency	-150
Payments	-36,703
Present value accretion	7,359
Adjustments, net (income) expense	11,624
Fair value of contingent consideration obligations, September 30, 2013	$234,559

Fair_Value_Measurements_Additi

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Estimated fair value of our long-term debt	$3,800,000,000	$3,700,000,000
Long-term debt, Total	$3,838,233,000	$3,688,907,000

Defined_Benefit_Pension_Plan_N

Defined Benefit Pension Plan - Net Periodic Benefit Costs (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	'	'	'	'
Interest cost	182	199	543	596
Expected return on plan assets	-156	-152	-465	-457
Amortization of prior service costs	103	104	308	312
Net periodic benefit cost	$129	$151	$386	$451

Financial_Information_by_Segme2

Financial Information by Segment - Performance of Our Operating Segments Based on Revenue and Operating Income (Loss) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	$753,882	$691,416	$2,257,116	$2,063,062	'
Operating income (loss)	20,299	38,732	95,192	108,144	'
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	326,689	322,371	'
Non-cash charge associated with acquired inventory	'	'	1,880	4,681	'
Restructuring charge	'	'	16,484	'	'
Stock-based compensation	'	'	14,462	11,868	'
Loss on disposition	-5,885	'	-5,885	'	'
Assets	7,154,619	'	7,154,619	'	7,067,928
Operating Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	753,882	691,416	2,257,116	2,063,062	'
Operating income (loss)	20,299	38,732	95,192	108,144	'
Depreciation and amortization	112,785	110,749	326,689	322,371	'
Non-cash charge associated with acquired inventory	708	'	1,880	4,681	'
Restructuring charge	7,694	3,239	19,630	10,132	'
Stock-based compensation	5,662	3,626	14,462	11,868	'
Loss on disposition	5,885	'	5,885	'	'
Assets	7,154,619	'	7,154,619	'	7,067,928
Professional Diagnostics [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	590,801	531,442	1,777,055	1,589,909	'
Professional Diagnostics [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	590,801	531,442	1,777,055	1,589,909	'
Operating income (loss)	53,189	63,298	185,925	196,728	'
Depreciation and amortization	88,835	85,030	258,485	245,911	'
Non-cash charge associated with acquired inventory	708	'	1,880	4,681	'
Restructuring charge	6,033	2,139	9,162	7,750	'
Loss on disposition	5,885	'	5,885	'	'
Assets	6,243,064	'	6,243,064	'	6,214,847
Health Information Solutions [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	134,233	135,078	403,215	404,452	'
Operating income (loss)	-7,203	-14,357	-32,855	-46,379	'
Depreciation and amortization	22,600	24,313	64,062	72,152	'
Restructuring charge	1,661	1,095	10,468	2,351	'
Assets	555,563	'	555,563	'	593,172
Consumer Diagnostics [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	28,848	24,896	76,846	68,701	'
Operating income (loss)	3,347	4,615	9,031	7,679	'
Depreciation and amortization	1,063	1,167	3,296	3,604	'
Assets	213,764	'	213,764	'	192,748
Corporate and Other [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Operating income (loss)	-29,034	-14,824	-66,909	-49,884	'
Depreciation and amortization	287	239	846	704	'
Restructuring charge	'	5	'	31	'
Stock-based compensation	5,662	3,626	14,462	11,868	'
Assets	$142,228	'	$142,228	'	$67,161

Financial_Information_by_Segme3

Financial Information by Segment - Summary of Company's Net Revenue from Professional Diagnostics and Health Information Solutions Reporting Segments by Groups of Similar Products and Services (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net product sales and services revenue	$749,698	$686,228	$2,244,003	$2,051,729
License and royalty revenue	4,184	5,188	13,113	11,333
Net revenue	753,882	691,416	2,257,116	2,063,062
Professional Diagnostics [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net product sales and services revenue	587,313	528,754	1,765,538	1,581,076
License and royalty revenue	3,488	2,688	11,517	8,833
Net revenue	590,801	531,442	1,777,055	1,589,909
Health Information Solutions [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	134,233	135,078	403,215	404,452
Cardiology [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net product sales and services revenue	116,281	122,372	349,650	386,795
Infectious Disease [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net product sales and services revenue	172,739	136,561	520,289	425,398
Toxicology [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net product sales and services revenue	166,536	156,074	481,469	437,736
Diabetes [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net product sales and services revenue	53,150	35,670	178,138	100,628
Other [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net product sales and services revenue	78,607	78,077	235,992	230,519
Disease and Case Management [Member] | Health Information Solutions [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net product sales and services revenue	56,554	57,383	163,258	165,277
Wellness [Member] | Health Information Solutions [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net product sales and services revenue	22,223	24,290	75,753	80,881
Women's & Children's Health [Member] | Health Information Solutions [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net product sales and services revenue	28,431	29,136	86,767	90,220
Patient Self-testing Services [Member] | Health Information Solutions [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net product sales and services revenue	$27,025	$24,269	$77,437	$68,074

Related_Party_Transactions_Add

Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

31-May-07

Sales Revenue Goods [Member]

Sales Revenue Goods [Member]

Sales Revenue Goods [Member]

Sales Revenue Goods [Member]

Sales Revenue Services [Member]

Sales Revenue Services [Member]

Sales Revenue Services [Member]

Sales Revenue Services [Member]

Swiss Precision Diagnostics [Member]

Swiss Precision Diagnostics [Member]

Swiss Precision Diagnostics [Member]

Related Party Transaction [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Joint venture ownership percentage with P&G

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

Net receivable from joint venture

$3,200,000

'

$2,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring charges

16,484,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,900,000

1,600,000

'

Long-term receivables cost related to restructuring plan

13,000,000

'

14,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Customer receivables associated with revenue earned after SPD was completed have been classified as other receivables

10,000,000

'

6,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenue from joint venture

'

'

'

21,200,000

15,900,000

56,500,000

47,400,000

300,000

300,000

900,000

900,000

'

'

'

Trade receivables from joint venture

10,000,000

'

7,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Trade payable to joint venture

25,400,000

'

21,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash (return of investment) from SPD

$10,800,000

$6,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Related_Party_Transactions_Rel

Related Party Transactions - Related Party Balances with SPD within Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Accounts receivable, net of allowances	$568,873	$524,332
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	114,601	145,236
Deferred financing costs, net, and other non-current assets	86,489	108,857
Accounts payable	194,991	169,974
Related Party Transaction [Member]	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Accounts receivable, net of allowances	9,984	7,317
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	13,221	9,161
Deferred financing costs, net, and other non-current assets	12,955	14,629
Accounts payable	$25,437	$21,258

Other_Arrangements_Additional_

Other Arrangements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 19, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Gates Foundation [Member]	'	'	'
Agreements [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenue from grant awarded	$21.60	'	'
Cash received from grant-related funding	'	'	7.9
Qualified expenditures	'	1.9	4.3
Gates Loan Agreement [Member]	'	'	'
Agreements [Line Items]	'	'	'
Aggregate principal amount of subordinated term loan	20.6	'	'
Loan bearing interest rate	'	3.00%	3.00%
Maturity date	'	'	31-Dec-19
Amount borrowed under agreement	'	$0	$0

Material_Contingencies_Additio

Material Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Feb. 01, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Jun. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

USD ($)

USD ($)

Epocal [Member]

Epocal [Member]

Accordant [Member]

Accordant [Member]

Accordant [Member]

Accordant [Member]

Alere Healthcare [Member]

Alere Healthcare [Member]

Alere S.A. [Member]

Alere S.A. [Member]

Alere S.A. [Member]

Amedica [Member]

Amedica [Member]

Branan [Member]

Branan [Member]

Immunalysis [Member]

Immunalysis [Member]

MedApps [Member]

MedApps [Member]

Nations Health [Member]

Nations Health [Member]

Pantech Proprietary [Member]

ROAR [Member]

ROAR [Member]

ROAR [Member]

ROAR [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

BRL

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Maximum [Member]

USD ($)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

Installment

Installment

USD ($)

Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payable contingent cash consideration remaining

'

'

$90,500,000

'

'

'

'

$4,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$2,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Earn-out cash paid

209,247,000

418,903,000

173,461,000

173,500,000

1,500,000

1,500,000

1,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Acquisition date fair value investment

76,264,000

75,620,000

75,000,000

75,000,000

0

'

'

'

0

300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum remaining amount of earn-out payment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,900,000

3,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash earn-out payment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Remaining payments in installments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of installments paid

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

48

48

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Contingent consideration obligations related to acquisition

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payable contingent cash consideration

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,900,000

'

'

'

1,700,000

'

3,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum remaining amount of earn-out payment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8,100,000

1,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15,200,000

9,500,000

'

'

Incremental accrual

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash paid on the day of acquisition

'

'

15,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum amount of management incentive payments

'

'

9,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Contractual obligation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Compensation related to contractual contingent obligation earned and accrued

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,000,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accrued earn-out payments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

18,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

1,500,000

1,000,000

Maximum earn-out payments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$600,000

'

'

'

'

Equity_Investments_Additional_

Equity Investments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	$5,753	$3,007	$13,238	$10,417
Swiss Precision Diagnostics [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	4,700	2,100	11,400	8,200
Ownership percentage	50.00%	'	50.00%	'
TechLab [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	$500	$600	$1,300	$1,800
Ownership percentage	49.00%	'	49.00%	'

Equity_Investments_Financial_I

Equity Investments - Financial Information for SPD and Techlab on Combined Condensed Results of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Equity Method Investments And Joint Ventures [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	$49,272	$54,650	$153,096	$165,483
Gross profit	40,158	34,411	112,862	105,175
Net income after taxes	$10,543	$5,399	$25,549	$20,083

Equity_Investments_Financial_I1

Equity Investments - Financial Information for SPD and Techlab on Combined Condensed Balance Sheets (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Equity Method Investments And Joint Ventures [Abstract]	'	'
Current assets	$95,764	$79,842
Non-current assets	37,909	38,991
Total assets	133,673	118,833
Current liabilities	39,468	45,084
Non-current liabilities	6,268	6,791
Total liabilities	$45,736	$51,875

Loss_on_Disposition_Additional

Loss on Disposition - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'	'
Cash proceeds from sale of disposal group	$32	'
Loss from sale of disposal group	'	$5.90

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio2

Guarantor Financial Information - Additional Information (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	24-May-13	Dec. 31, 2012
	7.25% Senior Notes [Member]	7.25% Senior Notes [Member]	8.625% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]	8.625% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]	8.625% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]	6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]	6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]	6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest rate of debt instrument	7.25%	7.25%	8.63%	8.63%	8.63%	6.50%	6.50%	6.50%

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio3

Guarantor Financial Information - Guarantor Financial Information Consolidating Statement of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net product sales	$509,038	$459,813	$1,538,876	$1,399,025
Services revenue	240,660	226,415	705,127	652,704
Net product sales and services revenue	749,698	686,228	2,244,003	2,051,729
License and royalty revenue	4,184	5,188	13,113	11,333
Net revenue	753,882	691,416	2,257,116	2,063,062
Cost of net product sales	258,234	223,612	764,501	671,664
Cost of services revenue	124,993	120,131	369,961	331,550
Cost of net product sales and services revenue	383,227	343,743	1,134,462	1,003,214
Cost of license and royalty revenue	2,009	1,898	5,264	5,394
Cost of net revenue	385,236	345,641	1,139,726	1,008,608
Gross profit (loss)	368,646	345,775	1,117,390	1,054,454
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Research and development	40,498	40,562	122,452	120,009
Sales and marketing	159,587	160,644	475,465	478,544
General and administrative	142,377	105,837	418,396	347,757
Loss on disposition	5,885	'	5,885	'
Total operating expenses	'	307,043	'	946,310
Operating income (loss)	20,299	38,732	95,192	108,144
Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs	-53,420	-54,861	-203,272	-161,119
Other income (expense), net	-8,869	-1,072	-8,276	14,570
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes	-41,990	-17,201	-116,356	-38,405
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	-17,148	-10,677	-36,152	-12,621
Income (loss) before equity earnings (losses) of subsidiaries and unconsolidated entities, net of tax	-24,842	-6,524	-80,204	-25,784
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	5,753	3,007	13,238	10,417
Net income (loss)	-19,089	-3,517	-66,966	-15,367
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	359	286	601	137
Net income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	-19,448	-3,803	-67,567	-15,504
Preferred stock dividends	-5,367	-5,352	-15,926	-15,940
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	-24,815	-9,155	-83,493	-31,444
Issuer [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cost of net product sales	887	928	2,722	2,635
Cost of net product sales and services revenue	887	928	2,722	2,635
Cost of net revenue	887	928	2,722	2,635
Gross profit (loss)	-887	-928	-2,722	-2,635
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Research and development	5,515	6,292	16,167	17,361
Sales and marketing	1,579	1,220	4,384	3,096
General and administrative	23,027	11,392	51,531	37,590
Total operating expenses	'	18,904	'	58,047
Operating income (loss)	-31,008	-19,832	-74,804	-60,682
Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs	-52,318	-54,324	-200,836	-158,009
Other income (expense), net	-6,775	1,534	-7,612	-2,552
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes	-90,101	-72,622	-283,252	-221,243
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	-29,302	-27,401	-102,473	-74,149
Income (loss) before equity earnings (losses) of subsidiaries and unconsolidated entities, net of tax	-60,799	-45,221	-180,779	-147,094
Equity earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net of tax	41,246	41,052	112,535	129,929
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	464	652	1,278	1,798
Net income (loss)	-19,089	-3,517	-66,966	-15,367
Net income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	-19,089	-3,517	-66,966	-15,367
Preferred stock dividends	-5,367	-5,352	-15,926	-15,940
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	-24,456	-8,869	-82,892	-31,307
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net product sales	223,254	219,484	665,672	649,719
Services revenue	220,439	210,761	644,760	605,193
Net product sales and services revenue	443,693	430,245	1,310,432	1,254,912
License and royalty revenue	5,103	-4,912	10,908	8,982
Net revenue	448,796	425,333	1,321,340	1,263,894
Cost of net product sales	129,408	107,410	367,552	311,722
Cost of services revenue	120,032	115,212	355,930	311,718
Cost of net product sales and services revenue	249,440	222,622	723,482	623,440
Cost of license and royalty revenue	17	5	52	15
Cost of net revenue	249,457	222,627	723,534	623,455
Gross profit (loss)	199,339	202,706	597,806	640,439
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Research and development	15,817	18,007	49,354	53,528
Sales and marketing	81,107	85,866	245,148	260,283
General and administrative	61,489	48,704	200,646	174,639
Total operating expenses	'	152,577	'	488,450
Operating income (loss)	40,926	50,129	102,658	151,989
Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs	-6,326	-9,278	-19,729	-31,291
Other income (expense), net	5,770	8,319	17,665	33,550
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes	40,370	49,170	100,594	154,248
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	14,928	17,014	44,896	59,013
Income (loss) before equity earnings (losses) of subsidiaries and unconsolidated entities, net of tax	25,442	32,156	55,698	95,235
Equity earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net of tax	-337	-230	-1,510	-763
Net income (loss)	25,105	31,926	54,188	94,472
Net income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	25,105	31,926	54,188	94,472
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	25,105	31,926	54,188	94,472
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net product sales	330,389	282,369	1,016,614	854,113
Services revenue	20,221	15,654	60,367	47,511
Net product sales and services revenue	350,610	298,023	1,076,981	901,624
License and royalty revenue	4,057	4,868	12,662	10,016
Net revenue	354,667	302,891	1,089,643	911,640
Cost of net product sales	165,396	152,607	519,559	456,760
Cost of services revenue	10,292	7,161	28,511	22,074
Cost of net product sales and services revenue	175,688	159,768	548,070	478,834
Cost of license and royalty revenue	6,967	-3,339	15,668	13,044
Cost of net revenue	182,655	156,429	563,738	491,878
Gross profit (loss)	172,012	146,462	525,905	419,762
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Research and development	19,166	16,263	56,931	49,120
Sales and marketing	76,901	73,558	225,933	215,165
General and administrative	57,861	45,741	166,219	135,528
Loss on disposition	5,885	'	5,885	'
Total operating expenses	'	135,562	'	399,813
Operating income (loss)	12,199	10,900	70,937	19,949
Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs	-2,721	-2,783	-9,209	-9,853
Other income (expense), net	81	599	8,173	21,606
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes	9,559	8,716	69,901	31,702
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	-2,214	643	22,663	3,494
Income (loss) before equity earnings (losses) of subsidiaries and unconsolidated entities, net of tax	11,773	8,073	47,238	28,208
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	5,217	2,405	11,932	8,643
Net income (loss)	16,990	10,478	59,170	36,851
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	359	286	601	137
Net income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	16,631	10,192	58,569	36,714
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	16,631	10,192	58,569	36,714
Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net product sales	-44,605	-42,040	-143,410	-104,807
Net product sales and services revenue	-44,605	-42,040	-143,410	-104,807
License and royalty revenue	-4,976	5,232	-10,457	-7,665
Net revenue	-49,581	-36,808	-153,867	-112,472
Cost of net product sales	-37,457	-37,333	-125,332	-99,453
Cost of services revenue	-5,331	-2,242	-14,480	-2,242
Cost of net product sales and services revenue	-42,788	-39,575	-139,812	-101,695
Cost of license and royalty revenue	-4,975	5,232	-10,456	-7,665
Cost of net revenue	-47,763	-34,343	-150,268	-109,360
Gross profit (loss)	-1,818	-2,465	-3,599	-3,112
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Operating income (loss)	-1,818	-2,465	-3,599	-3,112
Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs	7,945	11,524	26,502	38,034
Other income (expense), net	-7,945	-11,524	-26,502	-38,034
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes	-1,818	-2,465	-3,599	-3,112
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	-560	-933	-1,238	-979
Income (loss) before equity earnings (losses) of subsidiaries and unconsolidated entities, net of tax	-1,258	-1,532	-2,361	-2,133
Equity earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net of tax	-40,909	-40,822	-111,025	-129,166
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	72	-50	28	-24
Net income (loss)	-42,095	-42,404	-113,358	-131,323
Net income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	-42,095	-42,404	-113,358	-131,323
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	($42,095)	($42,404)	($113,358)	($131,323)

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio4

Guarantor Financial Information - Guarantor Financial Information Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	($19,089)	($3,517)	($66,966)	($15,367)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:	'	'	'	'
Changes in cumulative translation adjustment	67,268	39,695	-42,515	38,857
Unrealized gains on available for sale securities	'	141	'	931
Unrealized gains on hedging instruments	20	10	31	465
Minimum pension liability adjustment	-369	-98	335	-218
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	66,919	39,748	-42,149	40,035
Income tax provision (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	'	360	'	360
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	66,919	39,388	-42,149	39,675
Comprehensive income (loss)	47,830	35,871	-109,115	24,308
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests	359	286	601	137
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	47,471	35,585	-109,716	24,171
Issuer [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	-19,089	-3,517	-66,966	-15,367
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:	'	'	'	'
Changes in cumulative translation adjustment	524	132	-329	-100
Unrealized gains on available for sale securities	'	141	'	926
Unrealized gains on hedging instruments	'	'	'	17
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	524	273	-329	843
Income tax provision (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	'	360	'	360
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	524	-87	-329	483
Comprehensive income (loss)	-18,565	-3,604	-67,295	-14,884
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	-18,565	-3,604	-67,295	-14,884
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	25,105	31,926	54,188	94,472
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:	'	'	'	'
Changes in cumulative translation adjustment	'	1	'	-302
Unrealized gains on available for sale securities	'	'	'	5
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	'	1	'	-297
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	'	1	'	-297
Comprehensive income (loss)	25,105	31,927	54,188	94,175
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	25,105	31,927	54,188	94,175
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	16,990	10,478	59,170	36,851
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:	'	'	'	'
Changes in cumulative translation adjustment	66,742	36,027	-42,188	37,136
Unrealized gains on hedging instruments	20	10	31	448
Minimum pension liability adjustment	-369	-98	335	-218
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	66,393	35,939	-41,822	37,366
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	66,393	35,939	-41,822	37,366
Comprehensive income (loss)	83,383	46,417	17,348	74,217
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests	359	286	601	137
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	83,024	46,131	16,747	74,080
Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	-42,095	-42,404	-113,358	-131,323
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:	'	'	'	'
Changes in cumulative translation adjustment	2	3,535	2	2,123
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	2	3,535	2	2,123
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	2	3,535	2	2,123
Comprehensive income (loss)	-42,093	-38,869	-113,356	-129,200
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	($42,093)	($38,869)	($113,356)	($129,200)

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio5

Guarantor Financial Information - Guarantor Financial Information Consolidating Balance Sheet (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$353,993	$328,346	$302,254	$299,173
Restricted cash	7,905	3,076	'	'
Marketable securities	820	904	'	'
Accounts receivable, net of allowances	568,873	524,332	'	'
Inventories, net	370,448	337,121	'	'
Deferred tax assets	58,177	67,722	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	114,601	145,236	'	'
Total current assets	1,474,817	1,406,737	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	544,271	534,469	'	'
Goodwill	3,103,495	3,048,405	239,300	'
Other intangible assets with indefinite lives	58,953	36,451	'	'
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	1,747,538	1,834,225	'	'
Restricted cash-non-current	29,045	'	'	'
Deferred financing costs, net and other non-current assets	86,489	108,857	'	'
Investments in unconsolidated entities	101,822	90,491	'	'
Deferred tax assets	8,189	8,293	'	'
Total assets	7,154,619	7,067,928	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Short-term debt	25	'	'	'
Current portion of long-term debt	47,701	60,232	'	'
Current portion of capital lease obligations	6,533	6,684	'	'
Accounts payable	194,991	169,974	'	'
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	447,228	411,919	'	'
Total current liabilities	696,478	648,809	'	'
Long-term liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Long-term debt, net of current portion	3,790,532	3,628,675	'	'
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion	14,926	12,917	'	'
Deferred tax liabilities	352,859	428,188	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	209,683	166,635	'	'
Total long-term liabilities	4,368,000	4,236,415	'	'
Stockholders' equity	2,085,470	2,180,422	'	'
Non-controlling interests	4,671	2,282	'	'
Total equity	2,090,141	2,182,704	2,231,595	2,231,574
Total liabilities and equity	7,154,619	7,067,928	'	'
Issuer [Member]	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	47,863	3,623	329	12,451
Restricted cash	4,439	'	'	'
Deferred tax assets	8,749	12,193	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	3,911	-20,636	'	'
Intercompany receivables	332,124	298,812	'	'
Total current assets	397,086	293,992	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	9,048	2,679	'	'
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	8,786	24,701	'	'
Deferred financing costs, net and other non-current assets	58,996	78,522	'	'
Investments in subsidiaries	4,473,400	4,114,478	'	'
Investments in unconsolidated entities	30,221	33,979	'	'
Intercompany notes receivable	1,541,655	1,724,650	'	'
Total assets	6,519,192	6,273,001	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Current portion of long-term debt	45,000	45,000	'	'
Accounts payable	18,702	7,993	'	'
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	-381,276	-388,830	'	'
Intercompany payables	677,842	557,578	'	'
Total current liabilities	360,268	221,741	'	'
Long-term liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Long-term debt, net of current portion	3,750,057	3,617,068	'	'
Deferred tax liabilities	-27,768	-5,329	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	20,198	17,678	'	'
Intercompany notes payables	330,967	241,421	'	'
Total long-term liabilities	4,073,454	3,870,838	'	'
Stockholders' equity	2,085,470	2,180,422	'	'
Total equity	2,085,470	2,180,422	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	6,519,192	6,273,001	'	'
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	76,234	67,449	64,062	95,212
Restricted cash	2,309	1,680	'	'
Marketable securities	815	787	'	'
Accounts receivable, net of allowances	256,578	241,050	'	'
Inventories, net	170,372	142,413	'	'
Deferred tax assets	35,980	39,601	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	34,732	99,271	'	'
Intercompany receivables	714,131	1,254,727	'	'
Total current assets	1,291,151	1,846,978	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	291,621	293,260	'	'
Goodwill	1,810,036	1,820,438	'	'
Other intangible assets with indefinite lives	12,900	14,600	'	'
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	1,003,272	1,132,656	'	'
Deferred financing costs, net and other non-current assets	9,299	10,341	'	'
Investments in subsidiaries	274,450	222,175	'	'
Deferred tax assets	'	782	'	'
Intercompany notes receivable	665,623	722,552	'	'
Total assets	5,358,352	6,063,782	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Current portion of long-term debt	348	349	'	'
Current portion of capital lease obligations	3,808	3,209	'	'
Accounts payable	77,163	76,256	'	'
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	604,035	586,116	'	'
Intercompany payables	149,645	806,507	'	'
Total current liabilities	834,999	1,472,437	'	'
Long-term liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Long-term debt, net of current portion	150	374	'	'
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion	6,133	5,412	'	'
Deferred tax liabilities	282,942	333,388	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	57,762	72,890	'	'
Intercompany notes payables	1,503,599	1,630,376	'	'
Total long-term liabilities	1,850,586	2,042,440	'	'
Stockholders' equity	2,672,767	2,548,905	'	'
Total equity	2,672,767	2,548,905	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	5,358,352	6,063,782	'	'
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	229,896	257,274	237,863	191,510
Restricted cash	1,157	1,396	'	'
Marketable securities	5	117	'	'
Accounts receivable, net of allowances	312,295	283,282	'	'
Inventories, net	225,894	203,230	'	'
Deferred tax assets	9,440	13,138	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	75,999	66,634	'	'
Intercompany receivables	61,898	55,847	'	'
Total current assets	916,584	880,918	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	243,981	239,082	'	'
Goodwill	1,293,459	1,227,967	'	'
Other intangible assets with indefinite lives	46,053	21,851	'	'
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	735,480	676,868	'	'
Restricted cash-non-current	29,045	'	'	'
Deferred financing costs, net and other non-current assets	18,247	20,065	'	'
Investments in subsidiaries	127,711	73,940	'	'
Investments in unconsolidated entities	58,049	56,512	'	'
Deferred tax assets	8,189	7,511	'	'
Intercompany notes receivable	97,887	1,278	'	'
Total assets	3,574,685	3,205,992	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Short-term debt	25	'	'	'
Current portion of long-term debt	2,353	14,883	'	'
Current portion of capital lease obligations	2,725	3,475	'	'
Accounts payable	99,126	85,725	'	'
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	225,084	214,659	'	'
Intercompany payables	280,668	245,300	'	'
Total current liabilities	609,981	564,042	'	'
Long-term liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Long-term debt, net of current portion	40,325	11,233	'	'
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion	8,793	7,505	'	'
Deferred tax liabilities	97,211	100,216	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	131,776	76,138	'	'
Intercompany notes payables	470,599	576,684	'	'
Total long-term liabilities	748,704	771,776	'	'
Stockholders' equity	2,211,329	1,867,892	'	'
Non-controlling interests	4,671	2,282	'	'
Total equity	2,216,000	1,870,174	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	3,574,685	3,205,992	'	'
Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Inventories, net	-25,818	-8,522	'	'
Deferred tax assets	4,008	2,790	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-41	-33	'	'
Intercompany receivables	-1,108,153	-1,609,386	'	'
Total current assets	-1,130,004	-1,615,151	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	-379	-552	'	'
Deferred financing costs, net and other non-current assets	-53	-71	'	'
Investments in subsidiaries	-4,875,561	-4,410,593	'	'
Investments in unconsolidated entities	13,552	'	'	'
Intercompany notes receivable	-2,305,165	-2,448,480	'	'
Total assets	-8,297,610	-8,474,847	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	-615	-26	'	'
Intercompany payables	-1,108,155	-1,609,385	'	'
Total current liabilities	-1,108,770	-1,609,411	'	'
Long-term liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Deferred tax liabilities	474	-87	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	-53	-71	'	'
Intercompany notes payables	-2,305,165	-2,448,481	'	'
Total long-term liabilities	-2,304,744	-2,448,639	'	'
Stockholders' equity	-4,884,096	-4,416,797	'	'
Total equity	-4,884,096	-4,416,797	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	($8,297,610)	($8,474,847)	'	'

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio6

Guarantor Financial Information - Guarantor Financial Information Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:	'	'
Net income (loss)	($66,966)	($15,367)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	'	'
Non-cash interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs	14,088	16,087
Depreciation and amortization	326,689	322,371
Non-cash charges for sale of inventories revalued at the date of acquisition	1,880	4,681
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	14,462	11,868
Impairment of inventory	243	295
Impairment of long-lived assets	4,101	274
(Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment	1,849	-4,194
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	-13,238	-10,417
Deferred income taxes	-73,655	-43,619
Loss on extinguishment of debt	35,603	'
Loss on disposition	5,885	'
Bargain purchase gain	-5,707	'
Other non-cash items	6,674	5,736
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	-57,310	-8,261
Inventories, net	-72,727	-15,596
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-9,132	4,171
Accounts payable	15,981	-16,743
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	37,242	24,116
Other non-current liabilities	-6,857	-21,639
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	159,105	253,763
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	-33,881	5,771
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-90,908	-97,309
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	5,831	22,383
Cash received from disposition	32,000	'
Cash received from (paid for) acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-166,196	-384,780
Cash received from sales of marketable securities	'	271
Cash received from (paid for) equity method investments	11,262	6,556
(Increase) decrease in other assets	19,244	-9,313
Net cash used in investing activities	-222,648	-456,421
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:	'	'
Cash paid for financing costs	-9,798	-2,313
Cash paid for contingent purchase price consideration	-27,496	-16,248
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs	17,555	14,260
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	460,141	198,288
Payments on long-term debt	-455,157	-42,553
Net proceeds (payments) under revolving credit facilities	138,768	91,162
Borrowings from (payments on) short-term debt	25	-6,240
Cash paid for dividends	-15,970	-15,970
Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options	434	277
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	-5,341	-4,925
Other	-18,953	-2,811
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	84,208	212,927
Foreign exchange effect on cash and cash equivalents	4,982	-7,188
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	25,647	3,081
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	328,346	299,173
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	353,993	302,254
Issuer [Member]	'	'
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:	'	'
Net income (loss)	-66,966	-15,367
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	'	'
Equity (earnings) losses of subsidiaries, net of tax	-112,535	-129,929
Non-cash interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs	13,814	15,929
Depreciation and amortization	3,731	4,314
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	5,836	3,119
(Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment	'	3
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	-1,278	-1,798
Deferred income taxes	-17,386	20,901
Loss on extinguishment of debt	35,603	'
Other non-cash items	5,201	-1,156
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-64,547	-419,146
Accounts payable	5,918	3,961
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	10,396	354,452
Other non-current liabilities	-915	-7,158
Intercompany payable (receivable)	298,083	297,741
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	114,955	125,866
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	-4,439	'
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-1,037	-1,149
Cash received from (paid for) acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-157,373	-364,731
Cash received from (paid for) equity method investments	490	490
(Increase) decrease in other assets	19,244	-10,028
Net cash used in investing activities	-143,115	-375,418
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:	'	'
Cash paid for financing costs	-9,798	-2,313
Cash paid for contingent purchase price consideration	-27,165	-16,248
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs	17,555	14,260
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	425,000	198,000
Payments on long-term debt	-446,845	-33,250
Net proceeds (payments) under revolving credit facilities	147,500	97,500
Borrowings from (payments on) short-term debt	'	-6,240
Cash paid for dividends	-15,970	-15,970
Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options	205	183
Other	-18,953	'
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	71,529	235,922
Foreign exchange effect on cash and cash equivalents	871	1,508
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	44,240	-12,122
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	3,623	12,451
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	47,863	329
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:	'	'
Net income (loss)	54,188	94,472
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	'	'
Equity (earnings) losses of subsidiaries, net of tax	1,510	763
Non-cash interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs	229	158
Depreciation and amortization	188,745	198,576
Non-cash charges for sale of inventories revalued at the date of acquisition	'	1,400
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	3,646	4,309
Impairment of inventory	27	5
Impairment of long-lived assets	2,954	219
(Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment	1,118	-4,029
Deferred income taxes	-27,285	-38,495
Other non-cash items	-8	685
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	-15,528	-6,468
Inventories, net	-45,883	4,881
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	67,871	410,233
Accounts payable	-1,453	-2,327
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	17,570	-323,909
Other non-current liabilities	-15,197	-1,634
Intercompany payable (receivable)	-182,214	-322,706
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	50,290	16,133
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	-630	12
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-42,950	-69,092
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	6,908	22,230
Cash received from (paid for) acquisitions, net of cash acquired	'	1,469
Cash received from sales of marketable securities	'	268
(Increase) decrease in other assets	-2,047	-615
Net cash used in investing activities	-38,719	-45,728
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	989	'
Payments on long-term debt	-1,213	-455
Net proceeds (payments) under revolving credit facilities	'	-2
Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options	181	74
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	-2,715	-1,503
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-2,758	-1,886
Foreign exchange effect on cash and cash equivalents	-28	331
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	8,785	-31,150
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	67,449	95,212
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	76,234	64,062
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:	'	'
Net income (loss)	59,170	36,851
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	'	'
Non-cash interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs	45	'
Depreciation and amortization	134,317	119,462
Non-cash charges for sale of inventories revalued at the date of acquisition	1,880	3,281
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	4,980	4,440
Impairment of inventory	216	290
Impairment of long-lived assets	1,147	55
(Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment	731	-168
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	-11,932	-8,643
Deferred income taxes	-27,830	-25,122
Loss on disposition	5,885	'
Bargain purchase gain	-5,707	'
Other non-cash items	1,481	6,207
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	-41,782	-1,793
Inventories, net	-30,615	-23,303
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-4,941	13,059
Accounts payable	11,516	-18,377
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	2,342	-5,843
Other non-current liabilities	8,739	-13,275
Intercompany payable (receivable)	-115,869	27,088
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-6,227	114,209
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	-28,812	5,759
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-58,860	-94,311
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	11,186	66,281
Cash received from disposition	32,000	'
Cash received from (paid for) acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-8,823	-21,518
Cash received from sales of marketable securities	'	3
Cash received from (paid for) equity method investments	10,772	6,066
(Increase) decrease in other assets	2,065	1,275
Net cash used in investing activities	-40,472	-36,445
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:	'	'
Cash paid for contingent purchase price consideration	-331	'
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	34,152	288
Payments on long-term debt	-7,099	-8,848
Net proceeds (payments) under revolving credit facilities	-8,732	-6,336
Borrowings from (payments on) short-term debt	25	'
Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options	48	20
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	-2,626	-3,422
Other	'	-2,811
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	15,437	-21,109
Foreign exchange effect on cash and cash equivalents	3,884	-10,302
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-27,378	46,353
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	257,274	191,510
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	229,896	237,863
Eliminations [Member]	'	'
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:	'	'
Net income (loss)	-113,358	-131,323
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	'	'
Equity (earnings) losses of subsidiaries, net of tax	111,025	129,166
Depreciation and amortization	-104	19
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	-28	24
Deferred income taxes	-1,154	-903
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:	'	'
Inventories, net	3,771	2,826
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-7,515	25
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	6,934	-584
Other non-current liabilities	516	428
Intercompany payable (receivable)	'	-2,123
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	87	-2,445
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	11,939	67,243
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	-12,263	-66,128
(Increase) decrease in other assets	-18	55
Net cash used in investing activities	-342	1,170
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:	'	'
Foreign exchange effect on cash and cash equivalents	$255	$1,275