Alere 10-Q 28 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	22-May-15
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	ALR
Entity Registrant Name	ALERE INC.
Entity Central Index Key	1145460
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		85,130,311

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net product sales	$479,599	$491,319
Services revenue	123,856	128,708
Net product sales and services revenue	603,455	620,027
License and royalty revenue	4,698	5,212
Net revenue	608,153	625,239
Cost of net product sales	238,637	242,981
Cost of services revenue	75,581	70,361
Cost of net product sales and services revenue	314,218	313,342
Cost of license and royalty revenue	1,950	1,539
Cost of net revenue	316,168	314,881
Gross profit (loss)	291,985	310,358
Operating expenses:
Research and development	28,016	38,699
Sales and marketing	109,079	133,044
General and administrative	92,691	103,619
Impairment and (gain) loss on dispositions, net	34,792	0
Operating income (loss)	27,407	34,996
Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs	-46,431	-51,910
Other income (expense), net	-1,270	7,032
Loss from continuing operations before benefit for income taxes	-20,294	-9,882
Benefit for income taxes	-8,786	-1,680
Loss from continuing operations before equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	-11,508	-8,202
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	3,959	5,352
Income (loss) from continuing operations	-7,549	-2,850
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	216,777	-2,596
Net income (loss)	209,228	-5,446
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	88	108
Net income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	209,140	-5,554
Preferred stock dividends	-5,250	-5,250
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$203,890	($10,804)
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share:
Loss from continuing operations	($0.15)	($0.10)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$2.57	($0.03)
Net income (loss) per common share	$2.42	($0.13)
Weighted-average shares - basic and diluted	84,338	82,387

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$209,228	($5,446)
Other comprehensive loss, before tax:
Changes in cumulative translation adjustment	-80,342	-11,340
Unrealized losses on available for sale securities	0	-17
Unrealized gains on hedging instruments	0	8
Minimum pension liability adjustment	-1,382	74
Other comprehensive loss, before tax	-81,724	-11,275
Income tax benefit related to items of other comprehensive loss	0	0
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	-81,724	-11,275
Comprehensive income (loss)	127,504	-16,721
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests	88	108
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	$127,416	($16,829)

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_un

Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$414,495	$378,461
Restricted cash	37,406	37,571
Marketable securities	173	259
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $80,667 and $76,163 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	471,663	466,106
Inventories, net	374,973	365,165
Deferred tax assets	22,614	112,573
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	117,924	132,413
Assets held for sale	0	315,515
Total current assets	1,439,248	1,808,063
Property, plant and equipment, net	446,705	453,570
Goodwill	2,880,164	2,926,666
Other intangible assets with indefinite lives	40,203	43,651
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	1,173,866	1,276,444
Deferred financing costs, net and other non-current assets	61,477	67,832
Investments in unconsolidated entities	95,551	91,693
Deferred tax assets	8,612	8,569
Non-current income tax receivable	2,545	2,468
Total assets	6,148,371	6,678,956
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt	95,299	88,875
Current portion of capital lease obligations	5,072	4,241
Accounts payable	195,980	213,592
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	364,892	375,494
Liabilities related to assets held for sale	0	78,843
Total current liabilities	661,243	761,045
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt, net of current portion	3,023,847	3,621,385
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion	7,747	10,560
Deferred tax liabilities	245,863	214,639
Other long-term liabilities	138,090	161,582
Total long-term liabilities	3,415,547	4,008,166
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Series B preferred stock, $0.001 par value (liquidation preference: $709,763 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014); Authorized: 2,300 shares; Issued: 2,065 shares at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014; Outstanding: 1,774 shares at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014	606,468	606,468
Common stock, $0.001 par value; Authorized: 200,000 shares; Issued: 92,561 shares at March 31, 2015 and 91,532 shares at December 31, 2014, respectively; Outstanding: 84,882 shares at March 31, 2015 and 83,853 shares at December 31, 2014, respectively	93	92
Additional paid-in capital	3,390,002	3,355,672
Accumulated deficit	1,470,411	-1,679,552
Treasury stock, at cost, 7,679 shares at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014	-184,971	-184,971
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	273,834	-192,110
Total stockholders' equity	2,067,347	1,905,599
Non-controlling interests	4,234	4,146
Total equity	2,071,581	1,909,745
Total liabilities and equity	$6,148,371	$6,678,956

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_un1

Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, allowances	$80,667	$76,163
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	2,300,000	2,300,000
Series B preferred stock, shares issued	2,065,000	2,065,000
Series B preferred stock, shares outstanding	1,774,000	1,774,000
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	92,561,000	91,532,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	84,882,000	83,853,000
Treasury stock, shares	7,679,000	7,679,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$209,228	($5,446)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	216,777	-2,596
Loss from continuing operations	-7,549	-2,850
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Tax benefit related to discontinued operations	0	1,211
Non-cash interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs	3,946	4,028
Depreciation and amortization	74,368	83,820
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	5,149	5,704
Impairment of inventory	78	589
Impairment of long-lived assets	-69	161
Loss on disposition of fixed assets	1,391	1,527
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	-3,959	-5,352
Deferred income taxes	-20,349	-19,099
Loss related to impairment and net loss on dispositions	34,792	0
Other non-cash items	5,923	-2,804
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable, net	-16,881	25,146
Inventories, net	-31,168	-12,705
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	18,980	2,678
Accounts payable	-18,648	3,551
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	6,827	6,826
Other non-current liabilities	-21,117	10,391
Cash paid for contingent consideration	-3,654	-3,475
Net cash provided by continuing operations	28,060	99,347
Net cash provided by discontinued operations	318	6,550
Net cash provided by operating activities	28,378	105,897
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Decrease in restricted cash	71	2,151
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-25,647	-24,831
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	808	128
Cash received from disposition, net of cash divested	581,185	4,373
Cash received from sales of marketable securities	86	60
Cash paid for equity method investments	0	-507
(Increase) decrease in other assets	913	-1,617
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations	557,416	-20,243
Net cash used in discontinued operations	-209	-4,005
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	557,207	-24,248
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Cash paid for financing costs	-59	-7
Cash paid for contingent purchase price consideration	-4,696	-4,045
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs	34,632	14,698
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	15	0
Payments on short-term debt	-321	0
Payments on long-term debt	-463,011	-15,562
Net (payments) proceeds under revolving credit facilities	-127,050	233
Cash paid for dividends	-5,323	-5,323
Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options	649	292
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	-1,484	-1,620
Net cash used in continuing operations	-566,648	-11,334
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations	-76	308
Net cash used in financing activities	-566,724	-11,026
Foreign exchange effect on cash and cash equivalents	-6,127	495
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	12,734	71,118
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period - continuing operations	378,461	355,431
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period - discontinued operations	23,300	6,476
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	414,495	433,025
Less: Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations, end of period	0	7,959
Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations, end of period	$414,495	$425,066

Basis_of_Presentation_of_Finan

Basis of Presentation of Financial Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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, 2014 included information and footnotes necessary for such presentation and were included in our Annual Report onForm 10-K/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, on May 28, 2015. 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, 2014.
	Certain reclassifications of prior period amounts have been made in order to apply the presentation requirements to retrospectively present 2015 discontinued operations. These reclassifications of financial information related to discontinued operations have no effect on net income or equity.
	As a result of the sale of our health management business in January 2015, which was the largest component of our patient self-testing reporting segment, we no longer report our financial information in four operating segments. Our current reportable operating segments are professional diagnostics, consumer diagnostics and corporate and other. Financial information by segment for the three months ended March 31, 2014 has been retroactively adjusted to reflect this change in reporting segments.
	Certain amounts presented may not recalculate directly, due to rounding.

Revision_of_Previously_Reporte

Revision of Previously Reported Amounts	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Revision of Previously Reported Amounts	(2) Revision of Previously Reported Amounts
	During the financial closing process for the three months ended March 31, 2015, management determined that we had incorrectly accounted for income taxes related to discontinued operations during 2014, including in connection with the divestiture of our health management business completed in January 2015 and another divestiture completed in October 2014. As a result, we restated our financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and for the year ended December 31, 2014. In connection with those restatements, we corrected additional errors in 2012, 2013 and 2014 that we concluded were not material individually, or in the aggregate, to our previously issued financial statements.
	Although management has determined that the errors individually, and in the aggregate, are not material to prior periods, the financial statements for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2014, included herein, have been adjusted to correct for the impact of these items. The adjustments recorded in connection with the revisions primarily relate to a $4.6 million decrease in general and administrative expense related to a change in the fair value of our contingent consideration obligations and a $4.2 million adjustment to revise the benefit from certain foreign tax credits which increased the provision for income taxes. The impacts of these revisions are shown in the tables below:
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Revised Consolidated Statement of Operations (in thousands)	As Previously Reported,			Adjustment			As Revised
		Giving Effect to the
		Impact of Discontinued
		Operations
	Cost of net product sales	$	243,526		$	(545	)	$	242,981
	Cost of service revenue	$	68,897		$	1,464		$	70,361
	Cost of net product sales and services revenue	$	312,423		$	919		$	313,342
	Cost of net revenue	$	313,962		$	919		$	314,881
	Gross profit	$	311,277		$	(919	)	$	310,358
	General and administrative	$	109,415		$	(5,796	)	$	103,619
	Operating income	$	30,119		$	4,877		$	34,996
	Other income (expense), net	$	5,282		$	1,750		$	7,032
	Loss from continuing operations before benefit for income taxes	$	(16,509	)	$	6,627		$	(9,882	)
	Benefit for income taxes	$	(5,158	)	$	3,478		$	(1,680	)
	Loss from continuing operations before equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	$	(11,351	)	$	3,149		$	(8,202	)
	Loss from continuing operations	$	(5,999	)	$	3,149		$	(2,850	)
	Net loss	$	(8,595	)	$	3,149		$	(5,446	)
	Net loss attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	$	(8,703	)	$	3,149		$	(5,554	)
	Net loss available to common stockholders	$	(13,953	)	$	3,149		$	(10,804	)
	Basic and diluted loss per common share: Loss from continuing operations	$	(0.14	)	$	0.04		$	(0.10	)
	Basic and diluted net loss per common share: Net loss per common share	$	(0.17	)	$	0.04		$	(0.13	)
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Revised Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	As Previously Reported,			Adjustment			As Revised
	(in thousands)	Giving Effect to the
		Impact of Discontinued
		Operations
	Net loss	$	(8,595	)	$	3,149		$	(5,446	)
	Comprehensive loss	$	(19,870	)	$	3,149		$	(16,721	)
	Comprehensive loss attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	$	(19,978	)	$	3,149		$	(16,829	)
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Revised Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (in thousands)	As Previously Reported,			Adjustment			As Revised
		Giving Effect to the
		Impact of Discontinued
		Operations
	Net loss	$	(8,595	)	$	3,149		$	(5,446	)
	Loss from continuing operations	$	(5,999	)	$	3,149		$	(2,850	)
	Deferred income taxes	$	(21,729	)	$	2,630		$	(19,099	)
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	4,428		$	(1,750	)	$	2,678
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	7,035		$	(209	)	$	6,826
	Other non-current liabilities	$	14,221		$	(3,830	)	$	10,391
	Net cash provided by continuing operations	$	99,358		$	(11	)	$	99,347
	Net cash provided by operating activities	$	105,908		$	(11	)	$	105,897
	Purchases of property, plant and equipment	$	(24,842	)	$	11		$	(24,831	)
	Net cash used in continuing operations	$	(20,254	)	$	11		$	(20,243	)
	Net cash used in investing activities	$	(24,259	)	$	11		$	(24,248	)
	The Company has reflected these revisions as applicable in its consolidated financial statements and also in the consolidating financial statements presented in Note 21.

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations	(19) Impairment and (Gain) Loss on Dispositions, Net
	In March 2015, we sold certain assets of our AdnaGen GmbH business located in Langenhagen, Germany, which was part of our professional diagnostics reporting unit and business segment, for approximately $4.6 million in cash proceeds and, as a result of this transaction, we recorded a gain of $0.3 million during the first quarter of 2015.
	In March 2015, we sold our Gesellschaft fur Patientenhilfe DGP GmbH subsidiary located in Munich, Germany, which was part of our professional diagnostics reporting unit and business segment, for €7.6 million (approximately $8.2 million at March 31, 2015) and, as a result of this transaction, we recorded a loss on disposition of $7.6 million during the first quarter of 2015.
	In March 2015, our management decided to close our Alere Analytics business located in Lowell, Massachusetts, which is part of our professional diagnostics reporting unit and business segment. In connection with this decision, during the three months ended March 31, 2015, we recorded an impairment charge of $26.7 million, including the write-off of $26.2 million of acquisition-related intangible assets and $0.5 million of fixed assets.
	In December 2014, our management decided to close our Alere Connect, LLC subsidiary located in Scottsdale, Arizona, which is part of our professional diagnostics reporting unit and business segment. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, in connection with this decision, we recorded an impairment charge of $0.7 million, consisting primarily of severance costs and other closure-related expenses.
	The financial results for the above businesses are immaterial to our consolidated financial results.
Alere Accountable Care Solutions, LLC ("ACS") [Member]
Discontinued Operations	(3) Discontinued Operations
	On October 10, 2014, we completed the sale of our ACS subsidiary to ACS Acquisition, LLC (the “Purchaser”), pursuant to the terms of a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement with the Purchaser and Sumit Nagpal. In connection with the sale of ACS, we also agreed to sell our subsidiary Wellogic ME FZ – LLC (“Wellogic,” together with ACS, the “ACS Companies”) to the Purchaser, subject to the satisfaction of routine requirements of Dubai law relating to the transfer of equity. The ACS Companies were included in our patient self-testing segment prior to the sale. The purchase price for the ACS Companies consisted of cash proceeds of $2.00 at closing and contingent consideration of up to an aggregate of $7.0 million, consisting of (i) payments based on the gross revenues of the ACS Companies, (ii) payments to be made in connection with financing transactions by the Purchaser or the ACS Companies and (iii) payments to be made in connection with a sale by the Purchaser of the ACS Companies. In connection with the sale, we agreed to reimburse the Purchaser for up to $750,000 of the Purchaser’s and the ACS Companies’ transitional expenses. We accounted for our divestiture of the ACS Companies in accordance with ASC 205, Presentation of Financial Statements.
	On January 9, 2015, we completed the sale of our health management business to OptumHealth Care Solutions for a purchase price of approximately $600.1 million, subject to a customary post-closing working capital adjustment. We used the net cash proceeds of the sale to repay $575.0 million in aggregate principal amount of outstanding indebtedness under our senior secured credit facility.
	We accounted for our divestiture of the health management business in accordance with Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, No. 2014-08. The following assets and liabilities associated with the health management business have been segregated and classified as assets held for sale and liabilities related to assets held for sale, as appropriate, in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		December 31, 2014
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	23,300
	Restricted cash		361
	Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $5,882 at December 31, 2014		50,902
	Inventories, net		1,656
	Deferred tax assets – current		6,939
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		3,857
	Property, plant and equipment, net		57,595
	Goodwill		82,665
	Finite-lived intangible assets, net		82,428
	Deferred tax assets – non-current		3,347
	Other non-current assets		2,465
	Total assets held for sale	$	315,515
	Liabilities
	Current portion of capital lease obligations	$	799
	Accounts payable		5,654
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		32,822
	Capital lease obligations, net of current portion		365
	Deferred tax liabilities – non-current		27,453
	Other long-term liabilities		11,750
	Total liabilities related to assets held for sale	$	78,843
	The following summarized financial information related to the businesses of the ACS Companies and the health management business, has been segregated from continuing operations and has been reported as discontinued operations in our consolidated statements of operations. The results of the health management business are included in both periods presented, given our January 9, 2015 divestiture of this business. The results of the ACS Companies are included in the three months ended March 31, 2014, given our October 31, 2014 divestiture of this business. The results are as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Net revenue	$	7,373		$	91,383
	Cost of net revenue		(4,413	)		(51,420	)
	Sales and marketing		(996	)		(14,020	)
	General and administrative		(5,001	)		(30,120	)
	Interest expense		(9	)		(136	)
	Other income (expense), net		160			(559	)
	Gain on disposal		366,191			—
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes		363,305			(4,872	)
	Provision (benefit) for income taxes		146,528			(2,276	)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	216,777		$	(2,596	)

Cash_and_Cash_Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash and Cash Equivalents	(4) 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 March 31, 2015, our cash equivalents consisted of money market funds.

Inventories

Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	(5) Inventories
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first in, first out) or market and are comprised of the following (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Raw materials	$	128,731	$	122,886
	Work-in-process		73,397		82,724
	Finished goods		172,845		159,555
		$	374,973	$	365,165

Stockbased_Compensation

Stock-based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-based Compensation	(6) Stock-based Compensation
	We recorded stock-based compensation expense in our consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Cost of net revenue	$	253		$	287
	Research and development		324			1,191
	Sales and marketing		1,094			891
	General and administrative		3,478			3,335
			5,149			5,704
	Benefit for income taxes		(2,373	)		(1,778	)
	Stock-based compensation, net of tax	$	2,776		$	3,926

Net_Income_Loss_per_Common_Sha

Net Income (Loss) per Common Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income (Loss) per Common Share	(7) Net Income (Loss) per Common Share
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share:
	Numerator:
	Loss from continuing operations	$	(7,549	)	$	(2,850	)
	Preferred stock dividends		(5,250	)		(5,250	)
	Loss from continuing operations attributable to common shares		(12,799	)		(8,100	)
	Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interest		88			108
	Loss from continuing operations attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries		(12,887	)		(8,208	)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations		216,777			(2,596	)
	Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$	203,890		$	(10,804	)
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding – basic and diluted		84,338			82,387
	Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share:
	Loss from continuing operations attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	$	(0.15	)	$	(0.10	)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations		2.57			(0.03	)
	Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share	$	2.42		$	(0.13	)
	The following potential dilutive securities were not included in the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per common share because the inclusion thereof would be antidilutive (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Denominator:
	Options to purchase shares of common stock		7,882			11,143
	Warrants		4			4
	Conversion shares related to 3% convertible senior subordinated notes		3,411			3,411
	Conversion shares related to subordinated convertible promissory notes		27			27
	Conversion shares related to Series B convertible preferred stock		10,239			10,239
	Common stock equivalents related to the settlement of a contingent consideration obligation		—			358
	Total number of antidilutive potentially issuable shares of common stock excluded from diluted common shares outstanding		21,563			25,182

Stockholders_Equity_and_Noncon

Stockholders' Equity and Non-controlling Interests	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity and Non-controlling Interests	(8) Stockholders’ Equity and Non-controlling Interests
	(a) Preferred Stock
	For both the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, Series B preferred stock dividends amounted to $5.3 million, which reduced earnings available to common stockholders for purposes of calculating net income (loss) per common share for each of the periods. As of March 31, 2015, $5.3 million of Series B preferred stock dividends was accrued. As of April 15, 2015, payments have been made covering all dividend periods through March 31, 2015.
	The Series B preferred stock dividends for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 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 three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 is provided below (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015								2014
		Total			Non-		Total			Total			Non-		Total
		Stockholders’			controlling		Equity			Stockholders’			controlling		Equity
		Equity			Interests					Equity			Interests
	Equity, beginning of period	$	1,905,599		$	4,146	$	1,909,745		$	2,073,256		$	4,882	$	2,078,138
	Issuance of common stock under employee compensation plans		34,632			—		34,632			14,698			—		14,698
	Preferred stock dividends		(5,323	)		—		(5,323	)		(5,323	)		—		(5,323	)
	Stock-based compensation expense		5,149			—		5,149			5,704			—		5,704
	Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options		(126	)		—		(126	)		17			—		17
	Net income (loss)		209,140			88		209,228			(5,554	)		108		(5,446	)
	Total other comprehensive loss		(81,724	)		—		(81,724	)		(11,275	)		—		(11,275	)
	Equity, end of period	$	2,067,347		$	4,234	$	2,071,581		$	2,071,523		$	4,990	$	2,076,513

Restructuring

Restructuring	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring	(9) Restructuring
	The following table sets forth aggregate restructuring charges recorded in our consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
	Statement of Operations Caption	2015			2014
	Cost of net revenue	$	1,502		$	833
	Research and development		493			—
	Sales and marketing		1,383			1,550
	General and administrative		892			2,015
	Total operating expenses		4,270			4,398
	Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs		7			12
	Total charges	$	4,277		$	4,410
	(a) 2014 Restructuring Plans
	In 2014, management developed world-wide cost reduction plans to reduce costs and improve operational efficiencies within our professional diagnostics and corporate and other business segments, primarily impacting our global sales and marketing, information technology, and research and development groups, as well as closing certain business locations in Europe and Asia. The following table summarizes the restructuring activities related to our 2014 restructuring plans for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 and since inception of these restructuring plans (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,						Since
	Professional Diagnostics	2015			2014			Inception
	Severance-related costs	$	2,800		$	2,364		$	30,606
	Facility and transition costs		1,426			34			4,886
	Cash charges		4,226			2,398			35,492
	Fixed asset and inventory impairments		9			750			10,961
	Total charges	$	4,235		$	3,148		$	46,453
		Three Months Ended March 31,						Since
	Corporate and Other	2015			2014			Inception
	Severance-related costs	$	42		$	87		$	2,943
	Facility and transition costs		(7	)		8			11,328
	Total cash charges	$	35		$	95		$	14,271
	We anticipate incurring approximately $5.6 million in additional costs under our 2014 restructuring plans related to our professional diagnostics business segment, primarily related to the closure of our manufacturing facility in Israel. We do not anticipate incurring significant additional costs in our corporate and other business segment. As of March 31, 2015, $3.4 million in severance and facility exit costs arising under our 2014 restructuring plans remain unpaid.
	(b) Restructuring Plans Prior to 2014
	In 2013, management developed cost reduction plans within our professional diagnostics segment impacting businesses in our United States, Europe and Asia Pacific regions. In 2011, management developed plans to consolidate operating activities among certain of our United States, 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, in 2008, management developed and initiated plans to transition the Cholestech business to our San Diego, California facility.
	The following table summarizes the restructuring activities within our professional diagnostics business segment related to our active 2013, 2011 and 2008 restructuring plans for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 and since inception of these plans (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,						Since
	Professional Diagnostics	2015			2014			Inception
	Severance-related costs	$	—		$	897		$	26,926
	Facility and transition costs		—			258			10,480
	Other exit costs		7			12			805
	Cash charges		7			1,167			38,211
	Fixed asset and inventory impairments		—			—			6,776
	Intangible asset impairments		—			—			686
	Other non-cash charges		—			—			64
	Total charges	$	7		$	1,167		$	45,737
	We do not anticipate incurring significant additional costs under these plans related to our professional diagnostics business segment. As of March 31, 2015, $0.6 million in cash charges remain unpaid, primarily related to facility lease obligations which are anticipated to continue through 2017.
	(c) Restructuring Reserves
	The following table summarizes our restructuring reserves related to the plans described above, of which $3.6 million is included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities and $0.4 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, 2014	$	4,590		$	9,868		$	290		$	14,748
	Cash charges		2,842			1,419			7			4,268
	Payments		(5,330	)		(9,230	)		(31	)		(14,591	)
	Currency adjustments		(276	)		(145	)		—			(421	)
	Balance, March 31, 2015	$	1,826		$	1,912		$	266		$	4,004

Longterm_Debt

Long-term Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term Debt	(10) Long-term Debt
	We had the following long-term debt balances outstanding (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2015			2014
	A term loans(1) (2) (4)		$	608,123		$	785,938
	B term loans(1) (3) (4)			1,045,705			1,330,810
	Revolving line of credit(1) (4)			—			127,000
	7.25% Senior notes			450,000			450,000
	6.5% Senior subordinated notes			425,000			425,000
	8.625% Senior subordinated notes			400,000			400,000
	3% Convertible senior subordinated notes			150,000			150,000
	Other lines of credit			603			684
	Other			39,715			40,828
				3,119,146			3,710,260
	Less: Short-term debt and current portion			(95,299	)		(88,875	)
			$	3,023,847		$	3,621,385
	(1)	Incurred under our secured credit facility.
	(2)	Includes “A” term loans and “Delayed Draw” term loans under our secured credit facility.
	(3)	Includes term loans previously referred to as “Incremental B-1” term loans and “Incremental B-2” term loans under our secured credit facility, which term loans have been converted into and consolidated with the “B” term loans under our secured credit facility.
	(4)	On May 15, 2015, we incurred an event of default under our secured credit facility when we failed to timely deliver these financial statements to our lenders. The default, which has since been cured, was not in existence on March 31, 2015.
	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 months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 as follows (in thousands):
			Three Months Ended March 31,
			2015			2014
	Secured credit facility (1)		$	19,462		$	24,762
	7.25% Senior notes			8,524			8,525
	6.5% Senior subordinated notes			7,233			7,178
	8.625% Senior subordinated notes			9,273			9,273
	3% Convertible senior subordinated notes			1,246			1,246
			$	45,738		$	50,984
	(1)	Includes “A” term loans, including the “Delayed-Draw” term loans; “B” term loans, including the term loans previously referred to as “Incremental B-1” term loans and “Incremental B-2” term loans, which term loans have been converted into and consolidated with the “B” term loans; and revolving line of credit loans. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the amounts include $0.4 million and $0.4 million, respectively, related to the amortization of fees paid for certain debt modifications.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	(11) 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 March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques we utilized to determine such fair value (in thousands):
	Description		March 31,			Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Unobservable Inputs
			2015			Active Markets		Observable Inputs		(Level 3)
						(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Marketable securities		$	173		$	173	$	—	$	—
	Total assets		$	173		$	173	$	—	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Contingent consideration obligations (1)		$	114,297		$	—	$	—	$	114,297
	Total liabilities		$	114,297		$	—	$	—	$	114,297
	Description		December 31,			Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Unobservable Inputs
			2014			Active Markets		Observable Inputs		(Level 3)
						(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Marketable securities		$	259		$	259	$	—	$	—
	Total assets		$	259		$	259	$	—	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Contingent consideration obligations (1)		$	139,671		$	—	$	—	$	139,671
	Total liabilities		$	139,671		$	—	$	—	$	139,671
	(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. See Note 16 for additional information on the valuation of our contingent consideration obligations.
	Changes in the fair value of our Level 3 contingent consideration obligations during the three months ended March 31, 2015 were as follows (in thousands):
	Fair value of contingent consideration obligations, December 31, 2014		$	139,671
	Payments			(9,798	)
	Present value accretion and adjustments			(14,035	)
	Reclassification to other liability account			(1,550	)
	Foreign currency adjustments			9
	Fair value of contingent consideration obligations, March 31, 2015		$	114,297
	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, 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 $3.1 billion and $3.2 billion, respectively, at March 31, 2015. The carrying amount and estimated fair value of our long-term debt were both $3.7 billion at December 31, 2014. 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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Pension Plan	(12) 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 March 31,
		2015			2014
	Service cost	$	—		$	—
	Interest cost		229			199
	Expected return on plan assets		(235	)		(188	)
	Amortization of prior service cost		336			110
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	330		$	121

Financial_Information_by_Segme

Financial Information by Segment	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Financial Information by Segment	(13) 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. As a result of the sale of our health management business in January 2015, which was the largest component of our patient self-testing reporting segment, we no longer report our financial information in four operating segments. Our current reportable operating segments are professional diagnostics, consumer diagnostics, and corporate and other. The information below for the three months ended March 31, 2014 has been retroactively adjusted to reflect this change in reporting segments. 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 months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 is as follows (in thousands):
		Professional		Consumer		Corporate			Total
		Diagnostics		Diagnostics		and
						Other
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015:
	Net revenue	$	586,185	$	21,968	$	—		$	608,153
	Operating income (loss)	$	49,790	$	2,204	$	(24,587	)	$	27,407
	Impairment and (gain) loss on dispositions, net	$	34,792	$	—	$	—		$	34,792
	Depreciation and amortization	$	72,423	$	711	$	1,234		$	74,368
	Restructuring charges	$	4,235	$	—	$	35		$	4,270
	Stock-based compensation	$	—	$	—	$	5,149		$	5,149
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014:
	Net revenue	$	602,937	$	22,302	$	—		$	625,239
	Operating income (loss)	$	55,478	$	699	$	(21,181	)	$	34,996
	Depreciation and amortization	$	82,406	$	780	$	634		$	83,820
	Restructuring charges	$	4,303	$	—	$	95		$	4,398
	Stock-based compensation	$	—	$	—	$	5,704		$	5,704
	Assets:
	As of March 31, 2015	$	5,842,150	$	225,696	$	80,525		$	6,148,371
	As of December 31, 2014	$	6,323,944	$	216,451	$	138,561		$	6,678,956
	The following tables summarize our net revenue from the professional diagnostics reporting segment by groups of similar products and services for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015		2014
	Cardiometabolic	$	202,843	$	213,963
	Infectious disease		178,756		167,613
	Toxicology		148,756		155,533
	Other		51,132		60,616
	Total professional diagnostics net product sales and services revenue		581,487		597,725
	License and royalty revenue		4,698		5,212
	Total professional diagnostics net revenue	$	586,185	$	602,937

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	(14) Related Party Transactions
	(a) SPD Joint Venture
	In May 2007, we completed the formation of SPD Swiss Precision Diagnostics GmbH, or SPD, our 50/50 joint venture with Procter & Gamble, or P&G, for the development, manufacturing, marketing and sale of existing and to-be-developed consumer diagnostic products, outside the cardiometabolic, 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 payable to SPD of $3.5 million as of March 31, 2015 and a net payable to SPD of $4.0 million as of December 31, 2014. Included in the $3.5 million payable balance as of March 31, 2015 is a receivable of approximately $1.5 million for costs incurred in connection with our 2008 SPD-related restructuring plans. Included in the $4.0 million payable balance as of December 31, 2014 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 $10.4 million and $10.9 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, related to the 2008 SPD-related restructuring plans. Additionally, customer receivables associated with revenue earned after the formation of the joint venture have been classified as other receivables within prepaid and other current assets on our consolidated balance sheets in the amount of $7.7 million and $9.6 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, 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 $19.5 million and $20.6 million during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Additionally, services revenue generated pursuant to the long-term services agreement with the joint venture totaled $0.3 million and $0.4 million during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, 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, SPD purchases products from our manufacturing facilities in China. SPD in turn sells a portion of those tests back to us for final assembly and packaging. Once packaged, a portion of 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 $6.1 million and $10.5 million of trade receivables which are included in accounts receivable on our consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, and $31.2 million and $30.8 million of trade accounts payable which are included in accounts payable on our consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
	The following table summarizes our related party balances with SPD within our consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):
	Balance Sheet Caption	March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Accounts receivable, net of allowances	$	6,139	$	10,465
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	7,659	$	9,635
	Deferred financing costs, net, and other non-current assets	$	10,385	$	10,875
	Accounts payable	$	34,671	$	34,816
	(b) Entrustment Loan Arrangement with SPD Shanghai
	Our subsidiary Alere (Shanghai) Diagnostics Co., Ltd., or Alere Shanghai, and SPD’s subsidiary SPD Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., or SPD Shanghai, entered into an entrustment loan arrangement for a maximum of CNY 23 million (approximately $3.8 million at March 31, 2015), in order to finance the latter’s short-term working capital needs, with the Royal Bank of Scotland (China) Co., Ltd. Shanghai Branch, or RBS. The agreement governs the setting up of an Entrustment Loan Account with RBS, into which Alere Shanghai deposits certain monies. This restricted cash account provides a guarantee to RBS of amounts borrowed from RBS by SPD Shanghai. The Alere Shanghai RBS account is recorded as restricted cash on our balance sheet and amounted to $3.8 million at March 31, 2015.

Other_Arrangements

Other Arrangements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Text Block [Abstract]
Other Arrangements	(15) Other Arrangements
	In September 2014, we entered into a contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, or BARDA, to develop diagnostic countermeasures for pandemic influenza. Under the terms of the 3.5 year contract, BARDA will provide up to $12.9 million to us to support the development of a rapid, molecular, low-cost influenza diagnostic device with PCR-like performance at the point-of-care. The project is designed to help support future preparedness and medical response to an influenza pandemic. Funding from BARDA is subject to successful completion of various interim feasibility and development milestones as defined in the agreement. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, we had incurred $0.5 million of qualified expenditures under the contract, for which we had received cash reimbursement from BARDA in the amount of $0.3 million, and $0.1 million was recorded as a receivable as of that date. Reimbursements of qualified expenditures under this contract are recorded as a reduction of our related qualified research and development expenditures.
	In February 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 March 31, 2015, we had borrowed no amounts under the Gates Loan Agreement. As of March 31, 2015, we had received approximately $17.4 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 each of the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we incurred $2.1 million of qualified expenditures, for which we reduced our deferred grant funding balance and recorded an offset to our research and development expenses.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	(16) Commitments and Contingencies
	Acquisition-related Contingent Consideration Obligations
	We have contractual contingent purchase price consideration obligations related to certain of our acquisitions. We determine the acquisition date fair value of the contingent consideration obligations based on a probability-weighted approach derived from the overall likelihood of achieving certain performance targets, including product development milestones or financial metrics. The fair value measurement is based on significant inputs not observable in the market and thus represents a Level 3 measurement, as defined in fair value measurement accounting. The resultant probability-weighted earn-out payments are discounted using a discount rate based upon the weighted-average cost of capital. At each reporting date, we revalue the contingent consideration obligations to the reporting date fair values and record increases and decreases in the fair values as income or expense in our consolidated statements of operations.
	Increases or decreases in the fair values of the contingent consideration obligations may result from changes in discount periods and rates, changes in the timing and amount of earn-out criteria and changes in probability assumptions with respect to the likelihood of achieving the various earn-out criteria.
	The following table summarizes our contractual contingent purchase price consideration obligations related to certain of our acquisitions, as follows (in thousands):
	Acquisition		Acquisition Date		Acquisition		Maximum			Remaining			Estimated		Estimated		Payments
					Date Fair		Remaining			Earn-out			Fair Value as		Fair Value as		Made
					Value		Earn-out			Period as			of		of		During
							Potential			of			March 31,		December 31,		2015
							as of			March 31,			2015		2014
							March 31,			2015
							2015
	TwistDx, Inc.(1)			March 11, 2010	$	35,600	$	103,552			2015 – 2025	-5	$	36,200	$	41,100	$	5,072
	Ionian Technologies, Inc. (2)			12-Jul-10	$	24,500	$	50,000			2015			25,200		24,500		—
	DiagnosisOne, Inc. (3)			31-Jul-12	$	22,300	$	—			—			—		21,000		4,450
	Epocal(4)			February 1, 2013	$	75,000	$	65,500			2015 – 2018			47,500		47,200		—
	Other			Various	$	43,854	$	—	(6)		2015 – 2016			5,397		5,871		276
													$	114,297	$	139,671	$	9,798
	(1)	The terms of the acquisition agreement require us to pay an earn-out upon successfully meeting certain revenue and product development targets through 2025.
	(2)	The terms of the acquisition agreement require us to pay earn-outs upon successfully meeting multiple product development milestones during the five years following the acquisition.
	(3)	On March 25, 2015, the remaining earn-out was settled for $6.0 million, of which $4.5 million was paid on March 27, 2015. The outstanding balance of $1.5 million is accrued as of March 31, 2015 and is reflected in other current liabilities on our accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of that date. The remaining $15 million was reversed and recorded as a credit to general and administrative expenses.
	(4)	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.
	(5)	The maximum earn-out period ends on the fifteenth anniversary of the acquisition date.
	(6)	The maximum remaining earn-out potential for the other acquisitions is not determinable due to the nature of one of the earn-outs, which is tied to an unlimited revenue metric.

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	(17) 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. For a discussion of new accounting standards, please see Note 4, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to our consolidated financial statements included within our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Equity_Investments

Equity Investments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity Investments	(18) Equity Investments
	We account for the results from our equity investments under the equity method of accounting in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification, or 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 recorded earnings of $3.6 million and $5.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, 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 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 $0.4 million and $0.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, 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 March 31,
	Combined Condensed Results of Operations:	2015		2014
	Net revenue	$	47,857	$	48,933
	Gross profit	$	33,271	$	42,980
	Net income after taxes	$	8,057	$	10,830
	Combined Condensed Balance Sheet:	March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Current assets	$	90,482	$	90,546
	Non-current assets		32,774		33,697
	Total assets	$	123,256	$	124,243
	Current liabilities	$	31,455	$	35,954
	Non-current liabilities		6,145		5,884
	Total liabilities	$	37,600	$	41,838

Directresponse_Advertising

Direct-response Advertising	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Text Block [Abstract]
Direct-response Advertising	(20) Direct-response Advertising
	In connection with our mail order diabetes business, we incurred direct-response advertising and associated costs in connection with the placement of advertisements. Direct-response advertising and associated costs payable to third parties for the period presented are capitalized and amortized to selling, general and administrative expenses on an accelerated basis in the month following the broadcast month. Management assesses the realizability of the amounts of direct-response advertising costs reported as assets at each balance sheet date by comparing the net carrying value of capitalized advertising to the net present value of estimated future orders expected to result directly from such advertising. Advertising that does not meet the capitalization requirements is expensed in the current period.
	Any change in existing accounting rules or a business change that impacts expected future orders or that shortens the period over which such net future benefits are estimated to be realized could result in accelerated charges against our earnings. In addition, new or different marketing initiatives that may not qualify for direct-response advertising could result in accelerated charges against our earnings. Whether there is an impairment loss or not is determined by comparing the net carrying value of direct-response advertising costs capitalized as assets at each balance sheet date to the probable remaining future orders expected to result directly from such advertising. If the net carrying value of the assets exceeds the probable remaining future orders expected to result directly from such assets, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. Future benefits are determined by calculating the net present value of estimated future orders per cost pool. Net present value is calculated based upon the value of an order multiplied by the estimated future orders. Estimate of future orders is determined based on historical customer reorder rates. We perform the impairment test of our direct-response advertising asset in the quarter following the advertising broadcast quarter.

Benefit_for_Income_Taxes

Benefit for Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Benefit for Income Taxes	(21) Benefit for Income Taxes
	The benefit for income taxes increased by $7.1 million to a $8.8 million benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2015, from a $1.7 million benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was 43% and 17.0%, respectively. Our effective tax rate is based on our year-to-date results and projected income (loss) and is primarily impacted by changes in the geographical mix of consolidated pre-tax income (loss) as well as items that are accounted for discretely in the quarter. The increase in the effective tax rate from the three months ended March 31, 2014 to the three months ended March 31, 2015 is primarily a result of our year-to-date results and the impact of discrete items on our year-to-date results.

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio

Guarantor Financial Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Text Block [Abstract]
Guarantor Financial Information	(22) 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 100% 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 March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the related statements of operations, statements of comprehensive loss and cash flows for each of the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, 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. Prior periods have been presented on a basis that is consistent with the current period, giving retrospective effect to the impact of discontinued operations.
	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Net product sales	$	—		$	217,208		$	323,197		$	(60,806	)	$	479,599
	Services revenue		—			108,057			15,799			—			123,856
	Net product sales and services revenue		—			325,265			338,996			(60,806	)		603,455
	License and royalty revenue		—			3,197			4,363			(2,862	)		4,698
	Net revenue		—			328,462			343,359			(63,668	)		608,153
	Cost of net product sales		416			113,191			180,046			(55,016	)		238,637
	Cost of services revenue		50			74,037			8,395			(6,901	)		75,581
	Cost of net product sales and services revenue		466			187,228			188,441			(61,917	)		314,218
	Cost of license and royalty revenue		(40	)		808			4,044			(2,862	)		1,950
	Cost of net revenue		426			188,036			192,485			(64,779	)		316,168
	Gross profit (loss)		(426	)		140,426			150,874			1,111			291,985
	Operating expenses:
	Research and development		2,302			14,919			10,795			—			28,016
	Sales and marketing		1,260			53,227			54,592			—			109,079
	General and administrative		20,523			37,770			34,398			—			92,691
	Impairment and (gain) loss on dispositions, net		36,523			30,608			(32,339	)		—			34,792
	Operating income (loss)		(61,034	)		3,902			83,428			1,111			27,407
	Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs		(46,098	)		(3,285	)		(4,043	)		6,995			(46,431	)
	Other income (expense), net		3,647			4,299			(2,221	)		(6,995	)		(1,270	)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes		(103,485	)		4,916			77,164			1,111			(20,294	)
	Provision (benefit) for income taxes		(20,667	)		1,820			9,715			346			(8,786	)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before equity in earnings of subsidiaries and unconsolidated entities, net of tax		(82,818	)		3,096			67,449			765			(11,508	)
	Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax		72,933			—			—			(72,933	)		—
	Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax		424			—			3,568			(33	)		3,959
	Income (loss) from continuing operations		(9,461	)		3,096			71,017			(72,201	)		(7,549	)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		218,689			(1,912	)		—			—			216,777
	Net income		209,228			1,184			71,017			(72,201	)		209,228
	Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests		—			—			88			—			88
	Net income attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries		209,228			1,184			70,929			(72,201	)		209,140
	Preferred stock dividends		(5,250	)		—			—			—			(5,250	)
	Net income available to common stockholders	$	203,978		$	1,184		$	70,929		$	(72,201	)	$	203,890
	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Net product sales	$	—		$	209,284		$	335,738		$	(53,703	)	$	491,319
	Services revenue		—			110,651			18,057			—			128,708
	Net product sales and services revenue		—			319,935			353,795			(53,703	)		620,027
	License and royalty revenue		—			3,484			5,019			(3,291	)		5,212
	Net revenue		—			323,419			358,814			(56,994	)		625,239
	Cost of net product sales		688			111,018			183,760			(52,485	)		242,981
	Cost of services revenue		73			67,708			8,001			(5,421	)		70,361
	Cost of net product sales and services revenue		761			178,726			191,761			(57,906	)		313,342
	Cost of license and royalty revenue		—			92			4,738			(3,291	)		1,539
	Cost of net revenue		761			178,818			196,499			(61,197	)		314,881
	Gross profit (loss)		(761	)		144,601			162,315			4,203			310,358
	Operating expenses:
	Research and development		5,615			14,845			18,239			—			38,699
	Sales and marketing		1,868			60,939			70,237			—			133,044
	General and administrative		18,756			36,069			48,794			—			103,619
	Operating income (loss)		(27,000	)		32,748			25,045			4,203			34,996
	Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs		(51,258	)		(5,494	)		(4,544	)		9,386			(51,910	)
	Other income (expense), net		4,694			5,959			5,823			(9,444	)		7,032
	Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes		(73,564	)		33,213			26,324			4,145			(9,882	)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		(32,316	)		20,619			8,559			1,458			(1,680	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before equity in earnings of subsidiaries and unconsolidated entities, net of tax		(41,248	)		12,594			17,765			2,687			(8,202	)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax		35,069			68			—			(35,137	)		—
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax		405			—			5,064			(117	)		5,352
Income (loss) on continuing operations		(5,774	)		12,662			22,829			(32,567	)		(2,850	)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		328			(3,759	)		835			—			(2,596	)
Net income (loss)		(5,446	)		8,903			23,664			(32,567	)		(5,446	)
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests		—			—			108			—			108
Net income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries		(5,446	)		8,903			23,556			(32,567	)		(5,554	)
Preferred stock dividends		(5,250	)		—			—			—			(5,250	)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$	(10,696	)	$	8,903		$	23,556		$	(32,567	)	$	(10,804	)
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
(in thousands)
	Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
Net income	$	209,228		$	1,184		$	71,017		$	(72,201	)	$	209,228
Other comprehensive loss, before tax:
Changes in cumulative translation adjustment		(657	)		(572	)		(79,113	)		—			(80,342	)
Minimum pension liability adjustment		—			—			(1,382	)		—			(1,382	)
Other comprehensive loss, before tax		(657	)		(572	)		(80,495	)		—			(81,724	)
Income tax benefit related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)		—			—			—			—			—
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax		(657	)		(572	)		(80,495	)		—			(81,724	)
Comprehensive income (loss)		208,571			612			(9,478	)		(72,201	)		127,504
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests		—			—			88			—			88
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	$	208,571		$	612		$	(9,566	)	$	(72,201	)	$	127,416
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
(in thousands)
	Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
Net income (loss)	$	(5,446	)	$	8,903		$	23,664		$	(32,567	)	$	(5,446	)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Changes in cumulative translation adjustment		157			(129	)		(11,368	)		—			(11,340	)
Unrealized losses on available for sale securities		—			(17	)		—			—			(17	)
Unrealized gains on hedging instruments		—			—			8			—			8
Minimum pension liability adjustment		—			—			74			—			74
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax		157			(146	)		(11,286	)		—			(11,275	)
Income tax benefit related to items of other comprehensive loss		—			—			—			—			—
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		157			(146	)		(11,286	)		—			(11,275	)
Comprehensive income (loss)		(5,289	)		8,757			12,378			(32,567	)		(16,721	)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests		—			—			108			—			108
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	$	(5,289	)	$	8,757		$	12,270		$	(32,567	)	$	(16,829	)
CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
March 31, 2015
(in thousands)
	Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	13,827		$	87,557		$	313,111		$	—		$	414,495
Restricted cash		3,094			—			34,312			—			37,406
Marketable securities		—			173			—			—			173
Accounts receivable, net of allowances		—			190,217			281,446			—			471,663
Inventories, net		—			194,768			200,614			(20,409	)		374,973
Deferred tax assets		(37,763	)		29,263			31,114			—			22,614
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		24,096			18,365			70,838			4,625			117,924
Assets held for sale		—			—			—			—			—
Intercompany receivables		614,397			629,354			44,793			(1,288,544	)		—
Total current assets		617,651			1,149,697			976,228			(1,304,328	)		1,439,248
Property, plant and equipment, net		27,988			222,584			196,114			19			446,705
Goodwill		—			1,790,956			1,089,208			—			2,880,164
Other intangible assets with indefinite lives		—			8,139			32,123			(59	)		40,203
Finite-lived intangible assets, net		5,649			688,605			479,612			—			1,173,866
Deferred financing costs, net and other non-current assets		36,867			4,870			19,825			(85	)		61,477
Investments in subsidiaries		3,235,062			179,176			58,132			(3,472,370	)		—
Investments in unconsolidated entities		14,677			14,765			52,853			13,256			95,551
Deferred tax assets		—			—			8,612			—			8,612
Non-current income tax receivable		2,545			—			—			—			2,545
Intercompany notes receivables		2,040,842			713,417			46,976			(2,801,235	)		—
Total assets	$	5,981,281		$	4,772,209		$	2,959,683		$	(7,564,802	)	$	6,148,371
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt	$	68,711		$	—		$	26,588		$	—		$	95,299
Current portion of capital lease obligations		—			2,185			2,887			—			5,072
Accounts payable		13,811			81,095			101,074			—			195,980
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		(481,993	)		615,859			228,532			2,494			364,892
Intercompany payables		794,586			255,402			238,558			(1,288,546	)		—
Total current liabilities		395,115			954,541			597,639			(1,286,052	)		661,243
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt, net of current portion		3,018,829			—			5,018			—			3,023,847
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion		—			2,330			5,417			—			7,747
Deferred tax liabilities		(37,773	)		217,479			66,150			7			245,863
Other long-term liabilities		41,796			46,019			50,360			(85	)		138,090
Intercompany notes payables		495,967			1,258,851			1,046,416			(2,801,234	)		—
Total long-term liabilities		3,518,819			1,524,679			1,173,361			(2,801,312	)		3,415,547
Stockholders’ equity		2,067,347			2,292,989			1,184,449			(3,477,438	)		2,067,347
Non-controlling interests		—			—			4,234			—			4,234
Total equity		2,067,347			2,292,989			1,188,683			(3,477,438	)		2,071,581
Total liabilities and equity	$	5,981,281		$	4,772,209		$	2,959,683		$	(7,564,802	)	$	6,148,371
CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
December 31, 2014
(in thousands)
	Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,149		$	69,154		$	307,158		$	—		$	378,461
Restricted cash		5,012			—			32,559			—			37,571
Marketable securities		—			259			—			—			259
Accounts receivable, net of allowances		—			192,775			273,331			—			466,106
Inventories, net		—			191,323			195,606			(21,764	)		365,165
Deferred tax assets		36,347			44,961			31,265			—			112,573
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		9,800			31,410			88,695			2,508			132,413
Assets held for sale		1,361			284,369			29,785			—			315,515
Intercompany receivables		404,990			888,688			55,923			(1,349,601	)		—
Total current assets		459,659			1,702,939			1,014,322			(1,368,857	)		1,808,063
Property, plant and equipment, net		30,547			218,613			204,188			222			453,570
Goodwill		—			1,795,663			1,131,003			—			2,926,666
Other intangible assets with indefinite lives		—			9,287			34,422			(58	)		43,651
Finite-lived intangible assets, net		6,104			742,760			527,580			—			1,276,444
Deferred financing costs, net and other non-current assets		40,992			5,334			21,541			(35	)		67,832
Investments in subsidiaries		3,740,004			179,315			58,067			(3,977,386	)		—
Investments in unconsolidated entities		13,987			14,765			49,608			13,333			91,693
Deferred tax assets		—			—			8,569			—			8,569
Non-current income tax receivable		2,468			—			—			—			2,468
Intercompany notes receivables		2,028,701			649,444			46,676			(2,724,821	)		—
Total assets	$	6,322,462		$	5,318,120		$	3,095,976		$	(8,057,602	)	$	6,678,956
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt	$	61,700		$	2		$	27,173		$	—		$	88,875
Current portion of capital lease obligations		—			1,045			3,196			—			4,241
Accounts payable		21,402			81,741			110,449			—			213,592
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		(536,286	)		663,221			248,604			(45	)		375,494
Liabilities related to assets held for sale		1,094			77,749			—			—			78,843
Intercompany payables		902,576			198,788			248,237			(1,349,601	)		—
Total current liabilities		450,486			1,022,546			637,659			(1,349,646	)		761,045
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt, net of current portion		3,615,759			—			5,626			—			3,621,385
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion		—			4,097			6,463			—			10,560
Deferred tax liabilities		(107,844	)		252,944			69,457			82			214,639
Other long-term liabilities		42,762			46,865			71,988			(33	)		161,582
Intercompany notes payables		415,700			1,276,245			1,032,876			(2,724,821	)		—
Total long-term liabilities		3,966,377			1,580,151			1,186,410			(2,724,772	)		4,008,166
Stockholders’ equity		1,905,599			2,715,423			1,267,761			(3,983,184	)		1,905,599
Non-controlling interests		—			—			4,146			—			4,146
Total equity		1,905,599			2,715,423			1,271,907			(3,983,184	)		1,909,745
Total liabilities and equity	$	6,322,462		$	5,318,120		$	3,095,976		$	(8,057,602	)	$	6,678,956
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
(in thousands)
	Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$	209,228		$	1,184		$	71,017		$	(72,201	)	$	209,228
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		218,689			(1,912	)		—			—			216,777
Income (loss) from continuing operations		(9,461	)		3,096			71,017			(72,201	)		(7,549	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax		(72,933	)		—			—			72,933			—
Non-cash interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs		3,917			7			22			—			3,946
Depreciation and amortization		1,650			42,097			30,608			13			74,368
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense		2,435			1,239			1,475			—			5,149
Impairment of inventory		—			133			(55	)		—			78
Impairment of long-lived assets		—			28			(97	)		—			(69	)
Loss on disposition of fixed assets		—			1,346			45			—			1,391
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax		(424	)		—			(3,568	)		33			(3,959	)
Deferred income taxes		9			(21,021	)		318			345			(20,349	)
Loss related to impairment and net (gain) on dispositions		36,523			30,608			(32,339	)		—			34,792
Other non-cash items		1,686			(749	)		4,987			(1	)		5,923
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable, net		—			2,558			(19,439	)		—			(16,881	)
Inventories, net		—			(13,803	)		(16,052	)		(1,313	)		(31,168	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(4,680	)		13,671			15,179			(5,190	)		18,980
Accounts payable		(7,637	)		(470	)		(10,541	)		—			(18,648	)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		(1,531	)		12,716			(9,970	)		5,612			6,827
Other non-current liabilities		(5,980	)		(197	)		(14,467	)		(473	)		(21,117	)
Cash paid for contingent consideration		(3,641	)		—			(13	)		—			(3,654	)
Intercompany payable (receivable)		49,312			(57,097	)		7,784			1			—
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations		(10,755	)		14,162			24,894			(241	)		28,060
Net cash provided by discontinued operations		—			318			—			—			318
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		(10,755	)		14,480			24,894			(241	)		28,378
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash		1,919			—			(1,848	)		—			71
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(3,274	)		(10,154	)		(12,409	)		190			(25,647	)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment		—			—			808			—			808
Cash received from (used in) disposition, net of cash divested		587,637			(8,584	)		2,132			—			581,185
Cash received from sales of marketable securities		—			86			—			—			86
Decrease in other assets		348			362			152			51			913
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations		586,630			(18,290	)		(11,165	)		241			557,416
Net cash used in discontinued operations		—			(209	)		—			—			(209	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		586,630			(18,499	)		(11,165	)		241			557,207
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Cash paid for financing costs		(59	)		—			—			—			(59	)
Cash paid for contingent purchase price consideration		(3,953	)		—			(743	)		—			(4,696	)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs		34,632			—			—			—			34,632
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		—			—			15			—			15
Payments on short-term debt		—			—			(321	)		—			(321	)
Payments on long-term debt		(463,000	)		—			(11	)		—			(463,011	)
Net payments under revolving credit facilities		(127,000	)		—			(50	)		—			(127,050	)
Cash paid for dividends		(5,323	)		—			—			—			(5,323	)
Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options		506			32			111			—			649
Principal payments on capital lease obligations		—			(627	)		(857	)		—			(1,484	)
Net cash used in continuing operations		(564,197	)		(595	)		(1,856	)		—			(566,648	)
Net cash used in discontinued operations		—			(76	)		—			—			(76	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(564,197	)		(671	)		(1,856	)		—			(566,724	)
Foreign exchange effect on cash and cash equivalents		—			(207	)		(5,920	)		—			(6,127	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		11,678			(4,897	)		5,953			—			12,734
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period – continuing operations		2,149			69,154			307,158			—			378,461
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period – discontinued operations		—			23,300			—			—			23,300
Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations, end of period	$	13,827		$	87,557		$	313,111		$	—		$	414,495
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
(in thousands)
	Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$	(5,446	)	$	8,903		$	23,664		$	(32,567	)	$	(5,446	)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		328			(3,759	)		835			—			(2,596	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations		(5,774	)		12,662			22,829			(32,567	)		(2,850	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Tax benefit related to discontinued operations		—			1,737			(526	)		—			1,211
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax		(35,069	)		(68	)		—			35,137			—
Non-cash interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs		3,857			12			159			—			4,028
Depreciation and amortization		1,399			44,180			38,165			76			83,820
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense		2,407			1,093			2,204			—			5,704
Impairment of inventory		—			—			589			—			589
Impairment of long-lived assets		—			—			161			—			161
Loss on disposition of fixed assets		—			1,465			62			—			1,527
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax		(405	)		—			(5,064	)		117			(5,352	)
Deferred income taxes		(19,028	)		1,508			(3,037	)		1,458			(19,099	)
Other non-cash items		—			2,052			(4,856	)		—			(2,804	)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable, net		—			(6,573	)		31,719			—			25,146
Inventories, net		—			(8,536	)		(105	)		(4,064	)		(12,705	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(26,287	)		22,016			11,252			(4,303	)		2,678
Accounts payable		(4,305	)		10,394			(2,538	)		—			3,551
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		22,109			(6,440	)		(9,198	)		355			6,826
Other non-current liabilities		9,099			1,158			(3,820	)		3,954			10,391
Cash paid for contingent consideration		(3,417	)		—			(58	)		—			(3,475	)
Intercompany payable (receivable)		67,749			(70,945	)		3,196			—			—
Net cash provided by continuing operations		12,335			5,715			81,134			163			99,347
Net cash provided by discontinued operations		—			5,902			648			—			6,550
Net cash provided by operating activities		12,335			11,617			81,782			163			105,897
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Decrease in restricted cash		2,125			—			26			—			2,151
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(6,055	)		(10,500	)		(9,093	)		817			(24,831	)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment		269			663			112			(916	)		128
Cash received from disposition, net of cash divested		—			—			4,373			—			4,373
Cash received from sales of marketable securities		—			60			—			—			60
Cash paid for equity method investments		(504	)		—			(3	)		—			(507	)
Increase in other assets		(311	)		(877	)		(482	)		53			(1,617	)
Net cash used in continuing operations		(4,476	)		(10,654	)		(5,067	)		(46	)		(20,243	)
Net cash used in discontinued operations		—			(4,005	)		—			—			(4,005	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(4,476	)		(14,659	)		(5,067	)		(46	)		(24,248	)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Cash paid for financing costs		(7	)		—			—			—			(7	)
Cash paid for contingent purchase price consideration		(3,922	)		—			(123	)		—			(4,045	)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs		14,698			—			—			—			14,698
Payments on long-term debt		(15,000	)		(40	)		(522	)		—			(15,562	)
Net proceeds under revolving credit facilities		—			—			233			—			233
Cash paid for dividends		(5,323	)		—			—			—			(5,323	)
Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options		53			207			32			—			292
Principal payments on capital lease obligations		—			(860	)		(760	)		—			(1,620	)
Net cash used in continuing operations		(9,501	)		(693	)		(1,140	)		—			(11,334	)
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations		(150	)		458			—			—			308
Net cash used in financing activities		(9,651	)		(235	)		(1,140	)		—			(11,026	)
Foreign exchange effect on cash and cash equivalents		11			(128	)		729			(117	)		495
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(1,781	)		(3,405	)		76,304			—			71,118
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period—continuing operations		14,801			78,976			261,654			—			355,431
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period—discontinued operations		—			6,476			—			—			6,476
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		13,020			82,047			337,958			—			433,025
Less: Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations, end of period		—			7,959			—			—			7,959
Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations, end of period	$	13,020		$	74,088		$	337,958		$	—		$	425,066

Basis_of_Presentation_of_Finan1

Basis of Presentation of Financial Information (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
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, 2014 included information and footnotes necessary for such presentation and were included in our Annual Report onForm 10-K/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, on May 28, 2015. 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, 2014.
	Certain reclassifications of prior period amounts have been made in order to apply the presentation requirements to retrospectively present 2015 discontinued operations. These reclassifications of financial information related to discontinued operations have no effect on net income or equity.
	As a result of the sale of our health management business in January 2015, which was the largest component of our patient self-testing reporting segment, we no longer report our financial information in four operating segments. Our current reportable operating segments are professional diagnostics, consumer diagnostics and corporate and other. Financial information by segment for the three months ended March 31, 2014 has been retroactively adjusted to reflect this change in reporting segments.
	Certain amounts presented may not recalculate directly, due to rounding.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	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 March 31, 2015, our cash equivalents consisted of money market funds.

Revision_of_Previously_Reporte1

Revision of Previously Reported Amounts (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Revised Consolidated Statement of Operations
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Revised Consolidated Statement of Operations (in thousands)	As Previously Reported,			Adjustment			As Revised
		Giving Effect to the
		Impact of Discontinued
		Operations
	Cost of net product sales	$	243,526		$	(545	)	$	242,981
	Cost of service revenue	$	68,897		$	1,464		$	70,361
	Cost of net product sales and services revenue	$	312,423		$	919		$	313,342
	Cost of net revenue	$	313,962		$	919		$	314,881
	Gross profit	$	311,277		$	(919	)	$	310,358
	General and administrative	$	109,415		$	(5,796	)	$	103,619
	Operating income	$	30,119		$	4,877		$	34,996
	Other income (expense), net	$	5,282		$	1,750		$	7,032
	Loss from continuing operations before benefit for income taxes	$	(16,509	)	$	6,627		$	(9,882	)
	Benefit for income taxes	$	(5,158	)	$	3,478		$	(1,680	)
	Loss from continuing operations before equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	$	(11,351	)	$	3,149		$	(8,202	)
	Loss from continuing operations	$	(5,999	)	$	3,149		$	(2,850	)
	Net loss	$	(8,595	)	$	3,149		$	(5,446	)
	Net loss attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	$	(8,703	)	$	3,149		$	(5,554	)
	Net loss available to common stockholders	$	(13,953	)	$	3,149		$	(10,804	)
	Basic and diluted loss per common share: Loss from continuing operations	$	(0.14	)	$	0.04		$	(0.10	)
	Basic and diluted net loss per common share: Net loss per common share	$	(0.17	)	$	0.04		$	(0.13	)
Revised Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Revised Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	As Previously Reported,			Adjustment			As Revised
	(in thousands)	Giving Effect to the
		Impact of Discontinued
		Operations
	Net loss	$	(8,595	)	$	3,149		$	(5,446	)
	Comprehensive loss	$	(19,870	)	$	3,149		$	(16,721	)
	Comprehensive loss attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	$	(19,978	)	$	3,149		$	(16,829	)
Revised Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Revised Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (in thousands)	As Previously Reported,			Adjustment			As Revised
		Giving Effect to the
		Impact of Discontinued
		Operations
	Net loss	$	(8,595	)	$	3,149		$	(5,446	)
	Loss from continuing operations	$	(5,999	)	$	3,149		$	(2,850	)
	Deferred income taxes	$	(21,729	)	$	2,630		$	(19,099	)
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	4,428		$	(1,750	)	$	2,678
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	7,035		$	(209	)	$	6,826
	Other non-current liabilities	$	14,221		$	(3,830	)	$	10,391
	Net cash provided by continuing operations	$	99,358		$	(11	)	$	99,347
	Net cash provided by operating activities	$	105,908		$	(11	)	$	105,897
	Purchases of property, plant and equipment	$	(24,842	)	$	11		$	(24,831	)
	Net cash used in continuing operations	$	(20,254	)	$	11		$	(20,243	)
	Net cash used in investing activities	$	(24,259	)	$	11		$	(24,248	)

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Associated with Health Management Business Segregated and Classified as Assets Held for Sale and Liabilities	We accounted for our divestiture of the health management business in accordance with Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, No. 2014-08. The following assets and liabilities associated with the health management business have been segregated and classified as assets held for sale and liabilities related to assets held for sale, as appropriate, in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		December 31, 2014
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	23,300
	Restricted cash		361
	Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $5,882 at December 31, 2014		50,902
	Inventories, net		1,656
	Deferred tax assets – current		6,939
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		3,857
	Property, plant and equipment, net		57,595
	Goodwill		82,665
	Finite-lived intangible assets, net		82,428
	Deferred tax assets – non-current		3,347
	Other non-current assets		2,465
	Total assets held for sale	$	315,515
	Liabilities
	Current portion of capital lease obligations	$	799
	Accounts payable		5,654
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		32,822
	Capital lease obligations, net of current portion		365
	Deferred tax liabilities – non-current		27,453
	Other long-term liabilities		11,750
	Total liabilities related to assets held for sale	$	78,843
Summarized Financial Information Related to ACS Companies and Health Management Business	The following summarized financial information related to the businesses of the ACS Companies and the health management business, has been segregated from continuing operations and has been reported as discontinued operations in our consolidated statements of operations. The results of the health management business are included in both periods presented, given our January 9, 2015 divestiture of this business. The results of the ACS Companies are included in the three months ended March 31, 2014, given our October 31, 2014 divestiture of this business. The results are as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Net revenue	$	7,373		$	91,383
	Cost of net revenue		(4,413	)		(51,420	)
	Sales and marketing		(996	)		(14,020	)
	General and administrative		(5,001	)		(30,120	)
	Interest expense		(9	)		(136	)
	Other income (expense), net		160			(559	)
	Gain on disposal		366,191			—
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes		363,305			(4,872	)
	Provision (benefit) for income taxes		146,528			(2,276	)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	216,777		$	(2,596	)

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories are Stated at 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):
		March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Raw materials	$	128,731	$	122,886
	Work-in-process		73,397		82,724
	Finished goods		172,845		159,555
		$	374,973	$	365,165

Stockbased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-based Compensation Expense	We recorded stock-based compensation expense in our consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Cost of net revenue	$	253		$	287
	Research and development		324			1,191
	Sales and marketing		1,094			891
	General and administrative		3,478			3,335
			5,149			5,704
	Benefit for income taxes		(2,373	)		(1,778	)
	Stock-based compensation, net of tax	$	2,776		$	3,926

Net_Income_Loss_per_Common_Sha1

Net Income (Loss) per Common Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share:
	Numerator:
	Loss from continuing operations	$	(7,549	)	$	(2,850	)
	Preferred stock dividends		(5,250	)		(5,250	)
	Loss from continuing operations attributable to common shares		(12,799	)		(8,100	)
	Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interest		88			108
	Loss from continuing operations attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries		(12,887	)		(8,208	)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations		216,777			(2,596	)
	Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$	203,890		$	(10,804	)
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding – basic and diluted		84,338			82,387
	Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share:
	Loss from continuing operations attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	$	(0.15	)	$	(0.10	)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations		2.57			(0.03	)
	Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share	$	2.42		$	(0.13	)
Potential Dilutive Securities Not Included in Calculation of Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share	The following potential dilutive securities were not included in the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per common share because the inclusion thereof would be antidilutive (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Denominator:
	Options to purchase shares of common stock		7,882			11,143
	Warrants		4			4
	Conversion shares related to 3% convertible senior subordinated notes		3,411			3,411
	Conversion shares related to subordinated convertible promissory notes		27			27
	Conversion shares related to Series B convertible preferred stock		10,239			10,239
	Common stock equivalents related to the settlement of a contingent consideration obligation		—			358
	Total number of antidilutive potentially issuable shares of common stock excluded from diluted common shares outstanding		21,563			25,182

Stockholders_Equity_and_Noncon1

Stockholders' Equity and Non-controlling Interests (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 is provided below (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015								2014
		Total			Non-		Total			Total			Non-		Total
		Stockholders’			controlling		Equity			Stockholders’			controlling		Equity
		Equity			Interests					Equity			Interests
	Equity, beginning of period	$	1,905,599		$	4,146	$	1,909,745		$	2,073,256		$	4,882	$	2,078,138
	Issuance of common stock under employee compensation plans		34,632			—		34,632			14,698			—		14,698
	Preferred stock dividends		(5,323	)		—		(5,323	)		(5,323	)		—		(5,323	)
	Stock-based compensation expense		5,149			—		5,149			5,704			—		5,704
	Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options		(126	)		—		(126	)		17			—		17
	Net income (loss)		209,140			88		209,228			(5,554	)		108		(5,446	)
	Total other comprehensive loss		(81,724	)		—		(81,724	)		(11,275	)		—		(11,275	)
	Equity, end of period	$	2,067,347		$	4,234	$	2,071,581		$	2,071,523		$	4,990	$	2,076,513

Restructuring_Tables

Restructuring (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
	Statement of Operations Caption	2015			2014
	Cost of net revenue	$	1,502		$	833
	Research and development		493			—
	Sales and marketing		1,383			1,550
	General and administrative		892			2,015
	Total operating expenses		4,270			4,398
	Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs		7			12
	Total charges	$	4,277		$	4,410
Restructuring Activities Related to Restructuring Plans	The following table summarizes the restructuring activities related to our 2014 restructuring plans for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 and since inception of these restructuring plans (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,						Since
	Professional Diagnostics	2015			2014			Inception
	Severance-related costs	$	2,800		$	2,364		$	30,606
	Facility and transition costs		1,426			34			4,886
	Cash charges		4,226			2,398			35,492
	Fixed asset and inventory impairments		9			750			10,961
	Total charges	$	4,235		$	3,148		$	46,453
		Three Months Ended March 31,						Since
	Corporate and Other	2015			2014			Inception
	Severance-related costs	$	42		$	87		$	2,943
	Facility and transition costs		(7	)		8			11,328
	Total cash charges	$	35		$	95		$	14,271
	The following table summarizes the restructuring activities within our professional diagnostics business segment related to our active 2013, 2011 and 2008 restructuring plans for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 and since inception of these plans (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,						Since
	Professional Diagnostics	2015			2014			Inception
	Severance-related costs	$	—		$	897		$	26,926
	Facility and transition costs		—			258			10,480
	Other exit costs		7			12			805
	Cash charges		7			1,167			38,211
	Fixed asset and inventory impairments		—			—			6,776
	Intangible asset impairments		—			—			686
	Other non-cash charges		—			—			64
	Total charges	$	7		$	1,167		$	45,737
Cash Activity for Restructuring Reserves	The following table summarizes our restructuring reserves related to the plans described above, of which $3.6 million is included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities and $0.4 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, 2014	$	4,590		$	9,868		$	290		$	14,748
	Cash charges		2,842			1,419			7			4,268
	Payments		(5,330	)		(9,230	)		(31	)		(14,591	)
	Currency adjustments		(276	)		(145	)		—			(421	)
	Balance, March 31, 2015	$	1,826		$	1,912		$	266		$	4,004

Longterm_Debt_Tables

Long-term Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt Balances Outstanding	We had the following long-term debt balances outstanding (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2015			2014
	A term loans(1) (2) (4)		$	608,123		$	785,938
	B term loans(1) (3) (4)			1,045,705			1,330,810
	Revolving line of credit(1) (4)			—			127,000
	7.25% Senior notes			450,000			450,000
	6.5% Senior subordinated notes			425,000			425,000
	8.625% Senior subordinated notes			400,000			400,000
	3% Convertible senior subordinated notes			150,000			150,000
	Other lines of credit			603			684
	Other			39,715			40,828
				3,119,146			3,710,260
	Less: Short-term debt and current portion			(95,299	)		(88,875	)
			$	3,023,847		$	3,621,385
	(1)	Incurred under our secured credit facility.
	(2)	Includes “A” term loans and “Delayed Draw” term loans under our secured credit facility.
	(3)	Includes term loans previously referred to as “Incremental B-1” term loans and “Incremental B-2” term loans under our secured credit facility, which term loans have been converted into and consolidated with the “B” term loans under our secured credit facility.
	(4)	On May 15, 2015, we incurred an event of default under our secured credit facility when we failed to timely deliver these financial statements to our lenders. The default, which has since been cured, was not in existence on March 31, 2015.
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 months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 as follows (in thousands):
			Three Months Ended March 31,
			2015			2014
	Secured credit facility (1)		$	19,462		$	24,762
	7.25% Senior notes			8,524			8,525
	6.5% Senior subordinated notes			7,233			7,178
	8.625% Senior subordinated notes			9,273			9,273
	3% Convertible senior subordinated notes			1,246			1,246
			$	45,738		$	50,984
	(1)	Includes “A” term loans, including the “Delayed-Draw” term loans; “B” term loans, including the term loans previously referred to as “Incremental B-1” term loans and “Incremental B-2” term loans, which term loans have been converted into and consolidated with the “B” term loans; and revolving line of credit loans. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the amounts include $0.4 million and $0.4 million, respectively, related to the amortization of fees paid for certain debt modifications.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques we utilized to determine such fair value (in thousands):
	Description		March 31,			Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Unobservable Inputs
			2015			Active Markets		Observable Inputs		(Level 3)
						(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Marketable securities		$	173		$	173	$	—	$	—
	Total assets		$	173		$	173	$	—	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Contingent consideration obligations (1)		$	114,297		$	—	$	—	$	114,297
	Total liabilities		$	114,297		$	—	$	—	$	114,297
	Description		December 31,			Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Unobservable Inputs
			2014			Active Markets		Observable Inputs		(Level 3)
						(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Marketable securities		$	259		$	259	$	—	$	—
	Total assets		$	259		$	259	$	—	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Contingent consideration obligations (1)		$	139,671		$	—	$	—	$	139,671
	Total liabilities		$	139,671		$	—	$	—	$	139,671
	(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. See Note 16 for additional information on the valuation of our contingent consideration obligations.
Changes in Fair Value of Contingent Consideration Obligations	Changes in the fair value of our Level 3 contingent consideration obligations during the three months ended March 31, 2015 were as follows (in thousands):
	Fair value of contingent consideration obligations, December 31, 2014		$	139,671
	Payments			(9,798	)
	Present value accretion and adjustments			(14,035	)
	Reclassification to other liability account			(1,550	)
	Foreign currency adjustments			9
	Fair value of contingent consideration obligations, March 31, 2015		$	114,297

Defined_Benefit_Pension_Plan_T

Defined Benefit Pension Plan (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Net Periodic Benefit Costs	The net periodic benefit costs are as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Service cost	$	—		$	—
	Interest cost		229			199
	Expected return on plan assets		(235	)		(188	)
	Amortization of prior service cost		336			110
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	330		$	121

Financial_Information_by_Segme1

Financial Information by Segment (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Performance of Our Operating Segments Based on Revenue and Operating Income (Loss)	Segment information for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 is as follows (in thousands):
		Professional		Consumer		Corporate			Total
		Diagnostics		Diagnostics		and
						Other
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015:
	Net revenue	$	586,185	$	21,968	$	—		$	608,153
	Operating income (loss)	$	49,790	$	2,204	$	(24,587	)	$	27,407
	Impairment and (gain) loss on dispositions, net	$	34,792	$	—	$	—		$	34,792
	Depreciation and amortization	$	72,423	$	711	$	1,234		$	74,368
	Restructuring charges	$	4,235	$	—	$	35		$	4,270
	Stock-based compensation	$	—	$	—	$	5,149		$	5,149
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014:
	Net revenue	$	602,937	$	22,302	$	—		$	625,239
	Operating income (loss)	$	55,478	$	699	$	(21,181	)	$	34,996
	Depreciation and amortization	$	82,406	$	780	$	634		$	83,820
	Restructuring charges	$	4,303	$	—	$	95		$	4,398
	Stock-based compensation	$	—	$	—	$	5,704		$	5,704
	Assets:
	As of March 31, 2015	$	5,842,150	$	225,696	$	80,525		$	6,148,371
	As of December 31, 2014	$	6,323,944	$	216,451	$	138,561		$	6,678,956
Summary of Company's Net Revenue from Professional Diagnostics and Consumer Diagnostics Reporting Segments by Groups of Similar Products and Services	The following tables summarize our net revenue from the professional diagnostics reporting segment by groups of similar products and services for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015		2014
	Cardiometabolic	$	202,843	$	213,963
	Infectious disease		178,756		167,613
	Toxicology		148,756		155,533
	Other		51,132		60,616
	Total professional diagnostics net product sales and services revenue		581,487		597,725
	License and royalty revenue		4,698		5,212
	Total professional diagnostics net revenue	$	586,185	$	602,937

Related_Party_Transactions_Tab

Related Party Transactions (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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	March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Accounts receivable, net of allowances	$	6,139	$	10,465
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	7,659	$	9,635
	Deferred financing costs, net, and other non-current assets	$	10,385	$	10,875
	Accounts payable	$	34,671	$	34,816

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Contractual Contingent Purchase Price Consideration Obligations Related to Certain Acquisitions	The following table summarizes our contractual contingent purchase price consideration obligations related to certain of our acquisitions, as follows (in thousands):
	Acquisition		Acquisition Date		Acquisition		Maximum			Remaining			Estimated		Estimated		Payments
					Date Fair		Remaining			Earn-out			Fair Value as		Fair Value as		Made
					Value		Earn-out			Period as			of		of		During
							Potential			of			March 31,		December 31,		2015
							as of			March 31,			2015		2014
							March 31,			2015
							2015
	TwistDx, Inc.(1)			March 11, 2010	$	35,600	$	103,552			2015 – 2025	-5	$	36,200	$	41,100	$	5,072
	Ionian Technologies, Inc. (2)			12-Jul-10	$	24,500	$	50,000			2015			25,200		24,500		—
	DiagnosisOne, Inc. (3)			31-Jul-12	$	22,300	$	—			—			—		21,000		4,450
	Epocal(4)			February 1, 2013	$	75,000	$	65,500			2015 – 2018			47,500		47,200		—
	Other			Various	$	43,854	$	—	(6)		2015 – 2016			5,397		5,871		276
													$	114,297	$	139,671	$	9,798
	(1)	The terms of the acquisition agreement require us to pay an earn-out upon successfully meeting certain revenue and product development targets through 2025.
	(2)	The terms of the acquisition agreement require us to pay earn-outs upon successfully meeting multiple product development milestones during the five years following the acquisition.
	(3)	On March 25, 2015, the remaining earn-out was settled for $6.0 million, of which $4.5 million was paid on March 27, 2015. The outstanding balance of $1.5 million is accrued as of March 31, 2015 and is reflected in other current liabilities on our accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of that date. The remaining $15 million was reversed and recorded as a credit to general and administrative expenses.
	(4)	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.
	(5)	The maximum earn-out period ends on the fifteenth anniversary of the acquisition date.
	(6)	The maximum remaining earn-out potential for the other acquisitions is not determinable due to the nature of one of the earn-outs, which is tied to an unlimited revenue metric.

Equity_Investments_Tables

Equity Investments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Financial Information Combined Condensed Results of Operations	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Net product sales	$	—		$	217,208		$	323,197		$	(60,806	)	$	479,599
	Services revenue		—			108,057			15,799			—			123,856
	Net product sales and services revenue		—			325,265			338,996			(60,806	)		603,455
	License and royalty revenue		—			3,197			4,363			(2,862	)		4,698
	Net revenue		—			328,462			343,359			(63,668	)		608,153
	Cost of net product sales		416			113,191			180,046			(55,016	)		238,637
	Cost of services revenue		50			74,037			8,395			(6,901	)		75,581
	Cost of net product sales and services revenue		466			187,228			188,441			(61,917	)		314,218
	Cost of license and royalty revenue		(40	)		808			4,044			(2,862	)		1,950
	Cost of net revenue		426			188,036			192,485			(64,779	)		316,168
	Gross profit (loss)		(426	)		140,426			150,874			1,111			291,985
	Operating expenses:
	Research and development		2,302			14,919			10,795			—			28,016
	Sales and marketing		1,260			53,227			54,592			—			109,079
	General and administrative		20,523			37,770			34,398			—			92,691
	Impairment and (gain) loss on dispositions, net		36,523			30,608			(32,339	)		—			34,792
	Operating income (loss)		(61,034	)		3,902			83,428			1,111			27,407
	Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs		(46,098	)		(3,285	)		(4,043	)		6,995			(46,431	)
	Other income (expense), net		3,647			4,299			(2,221	)		(6,995	)		(1,270	)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes		(103,485	)		4,916			77,164			1,111			(20,294	)
	Provision (benefit) for income taxes		(20,667	)		1,820			9,715			346			(8,786	)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before equity in earnings of subsidiaries and unconsolidated entities, net of tax		(82,818	)		3,096			67,449			765			(11,508	)
	Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax		72,933			—			—			(72,933	)		—
	Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax		424			—			3,568			(33	)		3,959
	Income (loss) from continuing operations		(9,461	)		3,096			71,017			(72,201	)		(7,549	)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		218,689			(1,912	)		—			—			216,777
	Net income		209,228			1,184			71,017			(72,201	)		209,228
	Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests		—			—			88			—			88
	Net income attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries		209,228			1,184			70,929			(72,201	)		209,140
	Preferred stock dividends		(5,250	)		—			—			—			(5,250	)
	Net income available to common stockholders	$	203,978		$	1,184		$	70,929		$	(72,201	)	$	203,890
	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Net product sales	$	—		$	209,284		$	335,738		$	(53,703	)	$	491,319
	Services revenue		—			110,651			18,057			—			128,708
	Net product sales and services revenue		—			319,935			353,795			(53,703	)		620,027
	License and royalty revenue		—			3,484			5,019			(3,291	)		5,212
	Net revenue		—			323,419			358,814			(56,994	)		625,239
	Cost of net product sales		688			111,018			183,760			(52,485	)		242,981
	Cost of services revenue		73			67,708			8,001			(5,421	)		70,361
	Cost of net product sales and services revenue		761			178,726			191,761			(57,906	)		313,342
	Cost of license and royalty revenue		—			92			4,738			(3,291	)		1,539
	Cost of net revenue		761			178,818			196,499			(61,197	)		314,881
	Gross profit (loss)		(761	)		144,601			162,315			4,203			310,358
	Operating expenses:
	Research and development		5,615			14,845			18,239			—			38,699
	Sales and marketing		1,868			60,939			70,237			—			133,044
	General and administrative		18,756			36,069			48,794			—			103,619
	Operating income (loss)		(27,000	)		32,748			25,045			4,203			34,996
	Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs		(51,258	)		(5,494	)		(4,544	)		9,386			(51,910	)
	Other income (expense), net		4,694			5,959			5,823			(9,444	)		7,032
	Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes		(73,564	)		33,213			26,324			4,145			(9,882	)
	Provision (benefit) for income taxes		(32,316	)		20,619			8,559			1,458			(1,680	)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before equity in earnings of subsidiaries and unconsolidated entities, net of tax		(41,248	)		12,594			17,765			2,687			(8,202	)
	Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax		35,069			68			—			(35,137	)		—
	Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax		405			—			5,064			(117	)		5,352
Income (loss) on continuing operations		(5,774	)		12,662			22,829			(32,567	)		(2,850	)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		328			(3,759	)		835			—			(2,596	)
Net income (loss)		(5,446	)		8,903			23,664			(32,567	)		(5,446	)
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests		—			—			108			—			108
Net income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries		(5,446	)		8,903			23,556			(32,567	)		(5,554	)
Preferred stock dividends		(5,250	)		—			—			—			(5,250	)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$	(10,696	)	$	8,903		$	23,556		$	(32,567	)	$	(10,804	)
Financial Information Combined Condensed Balance Sheet	CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	March 31, 2015
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	13,827		$	87,557		$	313,111		$	—		$	414,495
	Restricted cash		3,094			—			34,312			—			37,406
	Marketable securities		—			173			—			—			173
	Accounts receivable, net of allowances		—			190,217			281,446			—			471,663
	Inventories, net		—			194,768			200,614			(20,409	)		374,973
	Deferred tax assets		(37,763	)		29,263			31,114			—			22,614
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		24,096			18,365			70,838			4,625			117,924
	Assets held for sale		—			—			—			—			—
	Intercompany receivables		614,397			629,354			44,793			(1,288,544	)		—
	Total current assets		617,651			1,149,697			976,228			(1,304,328	)		1,439,248
	Property, plant and equipment, net		27,988			222,584			196,114			19			446,705
	Goodwill		—			1,790,956			1,089,208			—			2,880,164
	Other intangible assets with indefinite lives		—			8,139			32,123			(59	)		40,203
	Finite-lived intangible assets, net		5,649			688,605			479,612			—			1,173,866
	Deferred financing costs, net and other non-current assets		36,867			4,870			19,825			(85	)		61,477
	Investments in subsidiaries		3,235,062			179,176			58,132			(3,472,370	)		—
	Investments in unconsolidated entities		14,677			14,765			52,853			13,256			95,551
	Deferred tax assets		—			—			8,612			—			8,612
	Non-current income tax receivable		2,545			—			—			—			2,545
	Intercompany notes receivables		2,040,842			713,417			46,976			(2,801,235	)		—
	Total assets	$	5,981,281		$	4,772,209		$	2,959,683		$	(7,564,802	)	$	6,148,371
	LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
	Current liabilities:
	Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt	$	68,711		$	—		$	26,588		$	—		$	95,299
	Current portion of capital lease obligations		—			2,185			2,887			—			5,072
	Accounts payable		13,811			81,095			101,074			—			195,980
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		(481,993	)		615,859			228,532			2,494			364,892
	Intercompany payables		794,586			255,402			238,558			(1,288,546	)		—
	Total current liabilities		395,115			954,541			597,639			(1,286,052	)		661,243
	Long-term liabilities:
	Long-term debt, net of current portion		3,018,829			—			5,018			—			3,023,847
	Capital lease obligations, net of current portion		—			2,330			5,417			—			7,747
	Deferred tax liabilities		(37,773	)		217,479			66,150			7			245,863
	Other long-term liabilities		41,796			46,019			50,360			(85	)		138,090
	Intercompany notes payables		495,967			1,258,851			1,046,416			(2,801,234	)		—
	Total long-term liabilities		3,518,819			1,524,679			1,173,361			(2,801,312	)		3,415,547
	Stockholders’ equity		2,067,347			2,292,989			1,184,449			(3,477,438	)		2,067,347
	Non-controlling interests		—			—			4,234			—			4,234
	Total equity		2,067,347			2,292,989			1,188,683			(3,477,438	)		2,071,581
	Total liabilities and equity	$	5,981,281		$	4,772,209		$	2,959,683		$	(7,564,802	)	$	6,148,371
	CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	December 31, 2014
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,149		$	69,154		$	307,158		$	—		$	378,461
	Restricted cash		5,012			—			32,559			—			37,571
	Marketable securities		—			259			—			—			259
	Accounts receivable, net of allowances		—			192,775			273,331			—			466,106
	Inventories, net		—			191,323			195,606			(21,764	)		365,165
	Deferred tax assets		36,347			44,961			31,265			—			112,573
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		9,800			31,410			88,695			2,508			132,413
	Assets held for sale		1,361			284,369			29,785			—			315,515
	Intercompany receivables		404,990			888,688			55,923			(1,349,601	)		—
	Total current assets		459,659			1,702,939			1,014,322			(1,368,857	)		1,808,063
Property, plant and equipment, net		30,547			218,613			204,188			222			453,570
Goodwill		—			1,795,663			1,131,003			—			2,926,666
Other intangible assets with indefinite lives		—			9,287			34,422			(58	)		43,651
Finite-lived intangible assets, net		6,104			742,760			527,580			—			1,276,444
Deferred financing costs, net and other non-current assets		40,992			5,334			21,541			(35	)		67,832
Investments in subsidiaries		3,740,004			179,315			58,067			(3,977,386	)		—
Investments in unconsolidated entities		13,987			14,765			49,608			13,333			91,693
Deferred tax assets		—			—			8,569			—			8,569
Non-current income tax receivable		2,468			—			—			—			2,468
Intercompany notes receivables		2,028,701			649,444			46,676			(2,724,821	)		—
Total assets	$	6,322,462		$	5,318,120		$	3,095,976		$	(8,057,602	)	$	6,678,956
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt	$	61,700		$	2		$	27,173		$	—		$	88,875
Current portion of capital lease obligations		—			1,045			3,196			—			4,241
Accounts payable		21,402			81,741			110,449			—			213,592
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		(536,286	)		663,221			248,604			(45	)		375,494
Liabilities related to assets held for sale		1,094			77,749			—			—			78,843
Intercompany payables		902,576			198,788			248,237			(1,349,601	)		—
Total current liabilities		450,486			1,022,546			637,659			(1,349,646	)		761,045
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt, net of current portion		3,615,759			—			5,626			—			3,621,385
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion		—			4,097			6,463			—			10,560
Deferred tax liabilities		(107,844	)		252,944			69,457			82			214,639
Other long-term liabilities		42,762			46,865			71,988			(33	)		161,582
Intercompany notes payables		415,700			1,276,245			1,032,876			(2,724,821	)		—
Total long-term liabilities		3,966,377			1,580,151			1,186,410			(2,724,772	)		4,008,166
Stockholders’ equity		1,905,599			2,715,423			1,267,761			(3,983,184	)		1,905,599
Non-controlling interests		—			—			4,146			—			4,146
Total equity		1,905,599			2,715,423			1,271,907			(3,983,184	)		1,909,745
Total liabilities and equity	$	6,322,462		$	5,318,120		$	3,095,976		$	(8,057,602	)	$	6,678,956
Swiss Precision Diagnostics And Techlab [Member]
Financial Information Combined Condensed Results of Operations	Summarized financial information for SPD and TechLab on a combined basis is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
	Combined Condensed Results of Operations:	2015			2014
	Net revenue	$	47,857		$	48,933
	Gross profit	$	33,271		$	42,980
	Net income after taxes	$	8,057		$	10,830
Financial Information Combined Condensed Balance Sheet
	Combined Condensed Balance Sheet:	March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Current assets	$	90,482		$	90,546
	Non-current assets		32,774			33,697
	Total assets	$	123,256		$	124,243
	Current liabilities	$	31,455		$	35,954
	Non-current liabilities		6,145			5,884
	Total liabilities	$	37,600		$	41,838

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio1

Guarantor Financial Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Text Block [Abstract]
Guarantor Financial Information Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Net income	$	209,228		$	1,184		$	71,017		$	(72,201	)	$	209,228
	Other comprehensive loss, before tax:
	Changes in cumulative translation adjustment		(657	)		(572	)		(79,113	)		—			(80,342	)
	Minimum pension liability adjustment		—			—			(1,382	)		—			(1,382	)
	Other comprehensive loss, before tax		(657	)		(572	)		(80,495	)		—			(81,724	)
	Income tax benefit related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)		—			—			—			—			—
	Other comprehensive loss, net of tax		(657	)		(572	)		(80,495	)		—			(81,724	)
	Comprehensive income (loss)		208,571			612			(9,478	)		(72,201	)		127,504
	Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests		—			—			88			—			88
	Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	$	208,571		$	612		$	(9,566	)	$	(72,201	)	$	127,416
	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Net income (loss)	$	(5,446	)	$	8,903		$	23,664		$	(32,567	)	$	(5,446	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
	Changes in cumulative translation adjustment		157			(129	)		(11,368	)		—			(11,340	)
	Unrealized losses on available for sale securities		—			(17	)		—			—			(17	)
	Unrealized gains on hedging instruments		—			—			8			—			8
	Minimum pension liability adjustment		—			—			74			—			74
	Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax		157			(146	)		(11,286	)		—			(11,275	)
	Income tax benefit related to items of other comprehensive loss		—			—			—			—			—
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		157			(146	)		(11,286	)		—			(11,275	)
	Comprehensive income (loss)		(5,289	)		8,757			12,378			(32,567	)		(16,721	)
	Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests		—			—			108			—			108
	Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	$	(5,289	)	$	8,757		$	12,270		$	(32,567	)	$	(16,829	)
Guarantor Financial Information Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
	Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
	Net income	$	209,228		$	1,184		$	71,017		$	(72,201	)	$	209,228
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		218,689			(1,912	)		—			—			216,777
	Income (loss) from continuing operations		(9,461	)		3,096			71,017			(72,201	)		(7,549	)
	Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
	Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax		(72,933	)		—			—			72,933			—
	Non-cash interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs		3,917			7			22			—			3,946
	Depreciation and amortization		1,650			42,097			30,608			13			74,368
	Non-cash stock-based compensation expense		2,435			1,239			1,475			—			5,149
	Impairment of inventory		—			133			(55	)		—			78
	Impairment of long-lived assets		—			28			(97	)		—			(69	)
	Loss on disposition of fixed assets		—			1,346			45			—			1,391
	Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax		(424	)		—			(3,568	)		33			(3,959	)
	Deferred income taxes		9			(21,021	)		318			345			(20,349	)
	Loss related to impairment and net (gain) on dispositions		36,523			30,608			(32,339	)		—			34,792
	Other non-cash items		1,686			(749	)		4,987			(1	)		5,923
	Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
	Accounts receivable, net		—			2,558			(19,439	)		—			(16,881	)
	Inventories, net		—			(13,803	)		(16,052	)		(1,313	)		(31,168	)
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(4,680	)		13,671			15,179			(5,190	)		18,980
	Accounts payable		(7,637	)		(470	)		(10,541	)		—			(18,648	)
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		(1,531	)		12,716			(9,970	)		5,612			6,827
	Other non-current liabilities		(5,980	)		(197	)		(14,467	)		(473	)		(21,117	)
	Cash paid for contingent consideration		(3,641	)		—			(13	)		—			(3,654	)
	Intercompany payable (receivable)		49,312			(57,097	)		7,784			1			—
	Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations		(10,755	)		14,162			24,894			(241	)		28,060
	Net cash provided by discontinued operations		—			318			—			—			318
	Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		(10,755	)		14,480			24,894			(241	)		28,378
	Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
	(Increase) decrease in restricted cash		1,919			—			(1,848	)		—			71
	Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(3,274	)		(10,154	)		(12,409	)		190			(25,647	)
	Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment		—			—			808			—			808
	Cash received from (used in) disposition, net of cash divested		587,637			(8,584	)		2,132			—			581,185
	Cash received from sales of marketable securities		—			86			—			—			86
	Decrease in other assets		348			362			152			51			913
	Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations		586,630			(18,290	)		(11,165	)		241			557,416
	Net cash used in discontinued operations		—			(209	)		—			—			(209	)
	Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		586,630			(18,499	)		(11,165	)		241			557,207
	Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
	Cash paid for financing costs		(59	)		—			—			—			(59	)
	Cash paid for contingent purchase price consideration		(3,953	)		—			(743	)		—			(4,696	)
	Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs		34,632			—			—			—			34,632
	Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		—			—			15			—			15
	Payments on short-term debt		—			—			(321	)		—			(321	)
	Payments on long-term debt		(463,000	)		—			(11	)		—			(463,011	)
	Net payments under revolving credit facilities		(127,000	)		—			(50	)		—			(127,050	)
	Cash paid for dividends		(5,323	)		—			—			—			(5,323	)
	Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options		506			32			111			—			649
	Principal payments on capital lease obligations		—			(627	)		(857	)		—			(1,484	)
	Net cash used in continuing operations		(564,197	)		(595	)		(1,856	)		—			(566,648	)
	Net cash used in discontinued operations		—			(76	)		—			—			(76	)
	Net cash used in financing activities		(564,197	)		(671	)		(1,856	)		—			(566,724	)
	Foreign exchange effect on cash and cash equivalents		—			(207	)		(5,920	)		—			(6,127	)
	Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		11,678			(4,897	)		5,953			—			12,734
	Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period – continuing operations		2,149			69,154			307,158			—			378,461
	Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period – discontinued operations		—			23,300			—			—			23,300
	Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations, end of period	$	13,827		$	87,557		$	313,111		$	—		$	414,495
	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
(in thousands)
	Issuer			Guarantor			Non-Guarantor			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Subsidiaries			Subsidiaries
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$	(5,446	)	$	8,903		$	23,664		$	(32,567	)	$	(5,446	)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		328			(3,759	)		835			—			(2,596	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations		(5,774	)		12,662			22,829			(32,567	)		(2,850	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Tax benefit related to discontinued operations		—			1,737			(526	)		—			1,211
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax		(35,069	)		(68	)		—			35,137			—
Non-cash interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs		3,857			12			159			—			4,028
Depreciation and amortization		1,399			44,180			38,165			76			83,820
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense		2,407			1,093			2,204			—			5,704
Impairment of inventory		—			—			589			—			589
Impairment of long-lived assets		—			—			161			—			161
Loss on disposition of fixed assets		—			1,465			62			—			1,527
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax		(405	)		—			(5,064	)		117			(5,352	)
Deferred income taxes		(19,028	)		1,508			(3,037	)		1,458			(19,099	)
Other non-cash items		—			2,052			(4,856	)		—			(2,804	)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable, net		—			(6,573	)		31,719			—			25,146
Inventories, net		—			(8,536	)		(105	)		(4,064	)		(12,705	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(26,287	)		22,016			11,252			(4,303	)		2,678
Accounts payable		(4,305	)		10,394			(2,538	)		—			3,551
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		22,109			(6,440	)		(9,198	)		355			6,826
Other non-current liabilities		9,099			1,158			(3,820	)		3,954			10,391
Cash paid for contingent consideration		(3,417	)		—			(58	)		—			(3,475	)
Intercompany payable (receivable)		67,749			(70,945	)		3,196			—			—
Net cash provided by continuing operations		12,335			5,715			81,134			163			99,347
Net cash provided by discontinued operations		—			5,902			648			—			6,550
Net cash provided by operating activities		12,335			11,617			81,782			163			105,897
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Decrease in restricted cash		2,125			—			26			—			2,151
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(6,055	)		(10,500	)		(9,093	)		817			(24,831	)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment		269			663			112			(916	)		128
Cash received from disposition, net of cash divested		—			—			4,373			—			4,373
Cash received from sales of marketable securities		—			60			—			—			60
Cash paid for equity method investments		(504	)		—			(3	)		—			(507	)
Increase in other assets		(311	)		(877	)		(482	)		53			(1,617	)
Net cash used in continuing operations		(4,476	)		(10,654	)		(5,067	)		(46	)		(20,243	)
Net cash used in discontinued operations		—			(4,005	)		—			—			(4,005	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(4,476	)		(14,659	)		(5,067	)		(46	)		(24,248	)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Cash paid for financing costs		(7	)		—			—			—			(7	)
Cash paid for contingent purchase price consideration		(3,922	)		—			(123	)		—			(4,045	)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs		14,698			—			—			—			14,698
Payments on long-term debt		(15,000	)		(40	)		(522	)		—			(15,562	)
Net proceeds under revolving credit facilities		—			—			233			—			233
Cash paid for dividends		(5,323	)		—			—			—			(5,323	)
Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options		53			207			32			—			292
Principal payments on capital lease obligations		—			(860	)		(760	)		—			(1,620	)
Net cash used in continuing operations		(9,501	)		(693	)		(1,140	)		—			(11,334	)
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations		(150	)		458			—			—			308
Net cash used in financing activities		(9,651	)		(235	)		(1,140	)		—			(11,026	)
Foreign exchange effect on cash and cash equivalents		11			(128	)		729			(117	)		495
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(1,781	)		(3,405	)		76,304			—			71,118
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period—continuing operations		14,801			78,976			261,654			—			355,431
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period—discontinued operations		—			6,476			—			—			6,476
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		13,020			82,047			337,958			—			433,025
Less: Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations, end of period		—			7,959			—			—			7,959
Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations, end of period	$	13,020		$	74,088		$	337,958		$	—		$	425,066

Revision_of_Previously_Reporte2

Revision of Previously Reported Amounts - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Adjustment to contingent consideration obligation	$4.60
Adjustment to tax provision	$4.20

Revision_of_Previously_Reporte3

Revision of Previously Reported Amounts - Revised Consolidated Statements of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Quantifying Misstatement in Current Year Financial Statements [Line Items]
Cost of net product sales	$238,637	$242,981
Cost of service revenue	75,581	70,361
Cost of net product sales and services revenue	314,218	313,342
Cost of net revenue	316,168	314,881
Gross profit	291,985	310,358
General and administrative	92,691	103,619
Operating income	27,407	34,996
Other income (expense), net	-1,270	7,032
Loss from continuing operations before benefit for income taxes	-20,294	-9,882
Benefit for income taxes	-8,786	-1,680
Loss from continuing operations before equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	-11,508	-8,202
Loss from continuing operations	-7,549	-2,850
Net loss	209,228	-5,446
Net loss attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	209,140	-5,554
Net loss available to common stockholders	203,890	-10,804
Basic and diluted loss per common share: Loss from continuing operations	($0.15)	($0.10)
Basic and diluted net loss per common share: Net loss per common share	$2.42	($0.13)
As Previously Reported, Giving Effect to the Impact of Discontinued Operations [Member]
Quantifying Misstatement in Current Year Financial Statements [Line Items]
Cost of net product sales		243,526
Cost of service revenue		68,897
Cost of net product sales and services revenue		312,423
Cost of net revenue		313,962
Gross profit		311,277
General and administrative		109,415
Operating income		30,119
Other income (expense), net		5,282
Loss from continuing operations before benefit for income taxes		-16,509
Benefit for income taxes		-5,158
Loss from continuing operations before equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax		-11,351
Loss from continuing operations		-5,999
Net loss		-8,595
Net loss attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries		-8,703
Net loss available to common stockholders		-13,953
Basic and diluted loss per common share: Loss from continuing operations		($0.14)
Basic and diluted net loss per common share: Net loss per common share		($0.17)
Adjustment [Member]
Quantifying Misstatement in Current Year Financial Statements [Line Items]
Cost of net product sales		-545
Cost of service revenue		1,464
Cost of net product sales and services revenue		919
Cost of net revenue		919
Gross profit		-919
General and administrative		-5,796
Operating income		4,877
Other income (expense), net		1,750
Loss from continuing operations before benefit for income taxes		6,627
Benefit for income taxes		3,478
Loss from continuing operations before equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax		3,149
Loss from continuing operations		3,149
Net loss		3,149
Net loss attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries		3,149
Net loss available to common stockholders		$3,149
Basic and diluted loss per common share: Loss from continuing operations		$0.04
Basic and diluted net loss per common share: Net loss per common share		$0.04

Revision_of_Previously_Reporte4

Revision of Previously Reported Amounts - Revised Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Net loss	$209,228	($5,446)
Comprehensive loss	127,504	-16,721
Comprehensive loss attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	127,416	-16,829
As Previously Reported, Giving Effect to the Impact of Discontinued Operations [Member]
Net loss		-8,595
Comprehensive loss		-19,870
Comprehensive loss attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries		-19,978
Adjustment [Member]
Net loss		3,149
Comprehensive loss		3,149
Comprehensive loss attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries		$3,149

Revision_of_Previously_Reporte5

Revision of Previously Reported Amounts - Revised Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Net loss	$209,228	($5,446)
Loss from continuing operations	-7,549	-2,850
Deferred income taxes	-20,349	-19,099
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	117,924	2,678
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	6,827	6,826
Other non-current liabilities	-21,117	10,391
Net cash provided by continuing operations	28,060	99,347
Net cash provided by operating activities	28,378	105,897
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-25,647	-24,831
Net cash used in continuing operations	557,416	-20,243
Net cash used in investing activities	557,207	-24,248
As Previously Reported, Giving Effect to the Impact of Discontinued Operations [Member]
Net loss		-8,595
Loss from continuing operations		-5,999
Deferred income taxes		-21,729
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		4,428
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		7,035
Other non-current liabilities		14,221
Net cash provided by continuing operations		99,358
Net cash provided by operating activities		105,908
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		-24,842
Net cash used in continuing operations		-20,254
Net cash used in investing activities		-24,259
Adjustment [Member]
Net loss		3,149
Loss from continuing operations		3,149
Deferred income taxes		2,630
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		-1,750
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		-209
Other non-current liabilities		-3,830
Net cash provided by continuing operations		-11
Net cash provided by operating activities		-11
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		11
Net cash used in continuing operations		11
Net cash used in investing activities		$11

Discontinued_Operations_Additi

Discontinued Operations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
	Oct. 10, 2014	Jan. 09, 2015
Alere Accountable Care Solutions, LLC ("ACS") [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Cash proceeds on sale of discontinued operations	$2
Contingent consideration receivable on sale of discontinued operations	7,000,000
Alere Accountable Care Solutions, LLC ("ACS") [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Reimbursable expenses payable to purchaser	750,000
Health Management Business [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Cash proceeds on sale of discontinued operations		600,100,000
Health Management Business [Member] | Secured Credit Facility [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Repayment of senior secured credit facility		$575,000,000

Discontinued_Operations_Schedu

Discontinued Operations - Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Associated with Health Management Business Segregated and Classified as Assets Held for Sale and Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$0	$23,300	$7,959	$6,476
Restricted cash	37,406	37,571
Goodwill	2,880,164	2,926,666
Total assets held for sale	0	315,515
Liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities - non-current	245,863	214,639
Total liabilities related to assets held for sale	0	78,843
Health Management Business [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		23,300
Restricted cash		361
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $5,882 at December 31, 2014		50,902
Inventories, net		1,656
Deferred tax assets - current		6,939
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		3,857
Property, plant and equipment, net		57,595
Goodwill		82,665
Finite-lived intangible assets, net		82,428
Deferred tax assets - non-current		3,347
Other non-current assets		2,465
Total assets held for sale		315,515
Liabilities
Current portion of capital lease obligations		799
Accounts payable		5,654
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		32,822
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion		365
Deferred tax liabilities - non-current		27,453
Other long-term liabilities		11,750
Total liabilities related to assets held for sale		$78,843

Discontinued_Operations_Schedu1

Discontinued Operations - Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Associated with Health Management Business Segregated and Classified as Assets Held for Sale and Liabilities (Parenthetical) (Detail) (Health Management Business [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Health Management Business [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, allowances	$5,882

Discontinued_Operations_Summar

Discontinued Operations - Summarized Financial Information Related to ACS Companies and Health Management Business (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$216,777	($2,596)
Alere Accountable Care Solutions, LLC ("ACS") and Health Management Business Segment [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net revenue	7,373	91,383
Cost of net revenue	-4,413	-51,420
Sales and marketing	-996	-14,020
General and administrative	-5,001	-30,120
Interest expense	-9	-136
Other income (expense), net	160	-559
Gain on disposal	366,191	0
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes	363,305	-4,872
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	146,528	-2,276
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$216,777	($2,596)

Cash_and_Cash_Equivalents_Addi

Cash and Cash Equivalents - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash investments maturity period	Three months or less

Inventories_Inventories_are_St

Inventories - Inventories are Stated at Lower of Cost (First In, First Out) or Market (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw materials	$128,731	$122,886
Work-in-process	73,397	82,724
Finished goods	172,845	159,555
Inventories, net	$374,973	$365,165

Stockbased_Compensation_Stockb

Stock-based Compensation - Stock-based Compensation Expense (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	$5,149	$5,704
Benefit for income taxes	-2,373	-1,778
Stock-based compensation, net of tax	2,776	3,926
Cost of Net Revenue [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	253	287
Research and Development [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	324	1,191
Sales and Marketing [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	1,094	891
General and Administrative [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	$3,478	$3,335

Recovered_Sheet1

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Numerator:
Loss from continuing operations	($7,549)	($2,850)
Preferred stock dividends	-5,250	-5,250
Loss from continuing operations attributable to common shares	-12,799	-8,100
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	88	108
Loss from continuing operations attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	-12,887	-8,208
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	216,777	-2,596
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$203,890	($10,804)
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	84,338	82,387
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share:
Loss from continuing operations attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	($0.15)	($0.10)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$2.57	($0.03)
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share	$2.42	($0.13)

Recovered_Sheet2

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share - Potential Dilutive Securities Not Included in Calculation of Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share (Detail)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Denominator:
Total number of antidilutive potentially issuable shares of common stock excluded from diluted common shares outstanding	21,563	25,182
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	7,882	11,143
Warrants [Member]
Denominator:
Total number of antidilutive potentially issuable shares of common stock excluded from diluted common shares outstanding	4	4
Conversion 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
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
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
Common Stock Equivalents Related to the Settlement of a Contingent Consideration Obligation [Member]
Denominator:
Total number of antidilutive potentially issuable shares of common stock excluded from diluted common shares outstanding	0	358

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Common_Sha2

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share - Potential Dilutive Securities Not Included in Calculation of Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share (Parenthetical) (Detail) (Conversion Shares Related to 3% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes [Member])	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Conversion Shares Related to 3% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
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
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividends	$5,250,000	$5,250,000
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividends	5,300,000	5,300,000
Preferred stock dividends accrued	5,300,000
Preferred stock dividends cash paid	$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
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity And Noncontrolling Interests [Line Items]
Equity, beginning of period	$1,909,745	$2,078,138
Issuance of common stock under employee compensation plans	34,632	14,698
Preferred stock dividends	-5,323	-5,323
Stock-based compensation expense	5,149	5,704
Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options	-126	17
Net income (loss)	209,228	-5,446
Total other comprehensive loss	-81,724	-11,275
Equity, end of period	2,071,581	2,076,513
Total Stockholders' Equity [Member]
Equity And Noncontrolling Interests [Line Items]
Equity, beginning of period	1,905,599	2,073,256
Issuance of common stock under employee compensation plans	34,632	14,698
Preferred stock dividends	-5,323	-5,323
Stock-based compensation expense	5,149	5,704
Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options	-126	17
Net income (loss)	209,140	-5,554
Total other comprehensive loss	-81,724	-11,275
Equity, end of period	2,067,347	2,071,523
Non-controlling Interests [Member]
Equity And Noncontrolling Interests [Line Items]
Equity, beginning of period	4,146	4,882
Issuance of common stock under employee compensation plans	0	0
Preferred stock dividends	0	0
Stock-based compensation expense	0	0
Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options	0	0
Net income (loss)	88	108
Total other comprehensive loss	0	0
Equity, end of period	$4,234	$4,990

Restructuring_Aggregate_Charge

Restructuring - Aggregate Charges Associated with Restructuring Plans Recorded in Operating Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$4,270	$4,398
Restructuring charges	4,277	4,410
Interest Expense, Including Amortization of Original Issue Discounts and Deferred Financing Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	7	12
Cost of Net Revenue [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	1,502	833
Research and Development [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	493	0
Sales and Marketing [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	1,383	1,550
General and Administrative [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	892	2,015
Total Operating Expenses [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$4,270	$4,398

Restructuring_Restructuring_Ac

Restructuring - Restructuring Activities Related to Restructuring Plans (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		87 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$4,270	$4,398
Professional Diagnostics [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	4,235	4,303
Corporate and Other [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	35	95
2014 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	4,235	3,148	46,453
2014 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member] | Severance-Related Costs (Recoveries) [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	2,800	2,364	30,606
2014 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member] | Facility and Transition Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	1,426	34	4,886
2014 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member] | Cash Charges (Recoveries) [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	4,226	2,398	35,492
2014 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member] | Fixed Asset and Inventory Impairments [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	9	750	10,961
2014 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	35	95	14,271
2014 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member] | Severance-Related Costs (Recoveries) [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	42	87	2,943
2014 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member] | Facility and Transition Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	-7	8	11,328
2013, 2011 and 2008 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Other non-cash charges	0	0	64
Restructuring charges	7	1,167	45,737
2013, 2011 and 2008 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member] | Severance-Related Costs (Recoveries) [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	0	897	26,926
2013, 2011 and 2008 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member] | Facility and Transition Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	0	258	10,480
2013, 2011 and 2008 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member] | Cash Charges (Recoveries) [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	7	1,167	38,211
2013, 2011 and 2008 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member] | Other Exit Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	7	12	805
2013, 2011 and 2008 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member] | Fixed Asset and Inventory Impairments [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	0	0	6,776
2013, 2011 and 2008 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member] | Intangible Asset Impairments [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$0	$0	$686

Restructuring_Additional_Infor

Restructuring - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Cash charges remain unpaid	$4,004,000	$14,748,000
Restructuring reserves included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities	3,600,000
Restructuring reserves included in other long-term liabilities	400,000
2014 Restructuring Plans [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Cash charges remain unpaid	3,400,000
2013, 2011 and 2008 Restructuring Plans [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Cash charges remain unpaid	600,000
Professional Diagnostics [Member] | 2014 Restructuring Plans [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Additional costs	5,600,000
Professional Diagnostics [Member] | 2013, 2011 and 2008 Restructuring Plans [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Additional costs	0
Corporate and Other [Member] | 2014 Restructuring Plans [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Additional costs	$0

Restructuring_Cash_Activity_fo

Restructuring - Cash Activity for Restructuring Reserves (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	$14,748
Cash charges	4,268
Payments	-14,591
Currency adjustments	-421
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	4,004
Severance-Related Costs (Recoveries) [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	4,590
Cash charges	2,842
Payments	-5,330
Currency adjustments	-276
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	1,826
Facility and Transition Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	9,868
Cash charges	1,419
Payments	-9,230
Currency adjustments	-145
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	1,912
Other Exit Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	290
Cash charges	7
Payments	-31
Currency adjustments	0
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	$266

LongTerm_Debt_LongTerm_Debt_Ba

Long-Term Debt - Long-Term Debt Balances Outstanding (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Total	$3,119,146	$3,710,260
Long-term debt, Total	3,119,146	3,710,260
Less: Short-term debt and current portion	-95,299	-88,875
Long-term debt, after discount, Total	3,023,847	3,621,385
A Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Total	608,123	785,938
Long-term debt, Total	608,123	785,938
B Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Total	1,045,705	1,330,810
Long-term debt, Total	1,045,705	1,330,810
Revolving Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Total	0	127,000
Long-term debt, Total	0	127,000
7.25% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Total	450,000	450,000
Long-term debt, Total	450,000	450,000
6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Total	425,000	425,000
Long-term debt, Total	425,000	425,000
8.625% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Total	400,000	400,000
Long-term debt, Total	400,000	400,000
3% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Total	150,000	150,000
Long-term debt, Total	150,000	150,000
Other Lines of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Total	603	684
Long-term debt, Total	603	684
Other [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Total	39,715	40,828
Long-term debt, Total	$39,715	$40,828

LongTerm_Debt_LongTerm_Debt_Ba1

Long-Term Debt - Long-Term Debt Balances Outstanding (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
7.25% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Interest rate	7.25%	7.25%	7.25%
6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Interest rate	6.50%	6.50%	6.50%
8.625% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Interest rate	8.63%	8.63%	8.63%
3% Convertible 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
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt issuance cost	$45,738	$50,984
Secured Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt issuance cost	19,462	24,762
7.25% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt issuance cost	8,524	8,525
6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt issuance cost	7,233	7,178
8.625% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt issuance cost	9,273	9,273
3% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt issuance cost	$1,246	$1,246

LongTerm_Debt_LongTerm_Debt_In1

Long-Term Debt - Long-Term Debt Interest Expense (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amortization fee	$0.40	$0.40
7.25% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Interest rate	7.25%	7.25%	7.25%
6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Interest rate	6.50%	6.50%	6.50%
8.625% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Interest rate	8.63%	8.63%	8.63%
3% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Interest rate	3.00%	3.00%	3.00%

Fair_Value_Measurements_Fair_V

Fair Value Measurements - Fair Value Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Valuation Techniques (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	$173	$259
Total assets	173	259
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration obligations	114,297	139,671
Total liabilities	114,297	139,671
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	173	259
Total assets	173	259
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration obligations	0	0
Total liabilities	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	0	0
Total assets	0	0
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration obligations	0	0
Total liabilities	0	0
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration obligations	114,297	139,671
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	0	0
Total assets	0	0
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration obligations	114,297	139,671
Total liabilities	$114,297	$139,671

Fair_Value_Measurements_Change

Fair Value Measurements - Changes in Fair Value of Contingent Consideration Obligations (Detail) (Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Fair value of contingent consideration obligations, December 31, 2014	$139,671
Payments	-9,798
Present value accretion and adjustments	-14,035
Reclassification to other liability account	-1,550
Foreign currency adjustments	9
Fair value of contingent consideration obligations, March 31, 2015	$114,297

Fair_Value_Measurements_Additi

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Billions, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Estimated fair value of our long-term debt	$3.20	$3.70
Long-term debt, Total	$3.10	$3.70

Defined_Benefit_Pension_Plan_N

Defined Benefit Pension Plan - Net Periodic Benefit Costs (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Service cost	$0	$0
Interest cost	229	199
Expected return on plan assets	-235	-188
Amortization of prior service cost	336	110
Net periodic benefit cost	$330	$121

Financial_Information_by_Segme2

Financial Information by Segment - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
	Segments
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	4

Financial_Information_by_Segme3

Financial Information by Segment - Performance of Our Operating Segments Based on Revenue and Operating Income (Loss) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	$608,153	$625,239
Operating income (loss)	27,407	34,996
Impairment and (gain) loss on dispositions, net	34,792	0
Depreciation and amortization	74,368	83,820
Restructuring charges	4,270	4,398
Stock-based compensation	5,149	5,704
Assets	6,148,371		6,678,956
Professional Diagnostics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	586,185	602,937
Operating income (loss)	49,790	55,478
Impairment and (gain) loss on dispositions, net	34,792
Depreciation and amortization	72,423	82,406
Restructuring charges	4,235	4,303
Stock-based compensation	0	0
Assets	5,842,150		6,323,944
Consumer Diagnostics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	21,968	22,302
Operating income (loss)	2,204	699
Impairment and (gain) loss on dispositions, net	0
Depreciation and amortization	711	780
Restructuring charges	0	0
Stock-based compensation	0	0
Assets	225,696		216,451
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	0	0
Operating income (loss)	-24,587	-21,181
Impairment and (gain) loss on dispositions, net	0
Depreciation and amortization	1,234	634
Restructuring charges	35	95
Stock-based compensation	5,149	5,704
Assets	$80,525		$138,561

Financial_Information_by_Segme4

Financial Information by Segment - Summary of Company's Net Revenue from Professional Diagnostics and Consumer Diagnostics Reporting Segments by Groups of Similar Products and Services (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue net	$603,455	$620,027
Total professional diagnostics net product sales and services revenue	123,856	128,708
License and royalty revenue	4,698	5,212
Net revenue	608,153	625,239
Professional Diagnostics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	586,185	602,937
Reportable Subsegments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total professional diagnostics net product sales and services revenue	581,487	597,725
License and royalty revenue	4,698	5,212
Net revenue	586,185	602,937
Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member] | Cardiometabolic [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue net	202,843	213,963
Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member] | Infectious Disease [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue net	178,756	167,613
Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member] | Toxicology [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue net	148,756	155,533
Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member] | Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue net	$51,132	$60,616

Related_Party_Transactions_Add

Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

31-May-07

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

USD ($)

USD ($)

SPD Joint Venture [Member]

SPD Joint Venture [Member]

SPD Joint Venture [Member]

SPD Joint Venture [Member]

SPD Joint Venture [Member]

SPD Joint Venture [Member]

SPD Joint Venture [Member]

SPD Shanghai [Member]

SPD Shanghai [Member]

SPD Shanghai [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

Sales Revenue Goods [Member]

Sales Revenue Goods [Member]

Sales Revenue Services [Member]

Sales Revenue Services [Member]

USD ($)

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

CNY

Related Party Transaction [Line Items]

Joint venture ownership percentage with Procter & Gamble

50.00%

Net payable to SPD

$3,500,000

$4,000,000

Restructuring charges

4,270,000

4,398,000

1,500,000

1,600,000

Long-term receivable cost related to restructuring plan

10,400,000

10,900,000

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

7,700,000

9,600,000

Revenue from joint venture

19,500,000

20,600,000

300,000

400,000

Trade receivables from SPD

6,100,000

10,500,000

Trade payable to SPD

31,200,000

30,800,000

Loan arrangement from related party

3,800,000

23,000,000

Restricted cash

$3,800,000

Related_Party_Transactions_Rel

Related Party Transactions - Related Party Balances with SPD within Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, net of allowances	$471,663	$466,106
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	117,924	132,413	2,678
Deferred financing costs, net and other non-current assets	61,477	67,832
Accounts payable	195,980	213,592
SPD Joint Venture [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, net of allowances	6,139	10,465
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	7,659	9,635
Deferred financing costs, net and other non-current assets	10,385	10,875
Accounts payable	$34,671	$34,816

Other_Arrangements_Additional_

Other Arrangements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Feb. 28, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014
Agreements [Line Items]
Period of contract	3 years 6 months
The amount provided for development of diagnostic device by BARDA as defined in the agreement	$12.90
Net expenditure incurred under the contract		0.5
The amount of cash reimbursement received from BARDA		0.3
Amount of accounts receivable		0.1
Gates Foundation [Member]
Agreements [Line Items]
Revenue from grant awarded			21.6
Cash received from grant-related funding		17.4
Qualified expenditures		2.1		2.1
Gates Loan Agreement [Member]
Agreements [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of subordinated term loan			$20.60
Loan bearing interest rate		3.00%
Maturity date		31-Dec-19

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies - Contractual Contingent Purchase Price Consideration Obligations Related to Certain Acquisitions (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 27, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	$114,297		$139,671
Payments made during 2015	9,798
Ionian Technologies, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Acquisition Date	12-Jul-10
Acquisition Date Fair Value	24,500
Maximum Remaining Earn-out Potential	50,000
Remaining Earn-out Period	2015
Estimated Fair Value	25,200		24,500
Payments made during 2015	0
TwistDx, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Acquisition Date	11-Mar-10
Acquisition Date Fair Value	35,600
Maximum Remaining Earn-out Potential	103,552
Estimated Fair Value	36,200		41,100
Payments made during 2015	5,072
TwistDx, Inc. [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Remaining Earn-out Period	2015
TwistDx, Inc. [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Remaining Earn-out Period	2025
DiagnosisOne, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Acquisition Date	31-Jul-12
Acquisition Date Fair Value	22,300
Maximum Remaining Earn-out Potential	0
Estimated Fair Value	0		21,000
Payments made during 2015	4,450	4,500
Epocal [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Acquisition Date	1-Feb-13
Acquisition Date Fair Value	75,000
Maximum Remaining Earn-out Potential	65,500
Estimated Fair Value	47,500		47,200
Payments made during 2015	0
Epocal [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Remaining Earn-out Period	2015
Epocal [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Remaining Earn-out Period	2018
Other [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Acquisition Date	Various
Acquisition Date Fair Value	43,854
Maximum Remaining Earn-out Potential	0
Estimated Fair Value	5,397		5,871
Payments made during 2015	$276
Other [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Remaining Earn-out Period	2015
Other [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Remaining Earn-out Period	2016

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies - Contractual Contingent Purchase Price Consideration Obligations Related to Certain Acquisitions (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 27, 2015
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Earn-out period	15 years
Payments made under acquisition related contingent obligations	$9,798,000
Ionian Technologies, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Earn-out period	5 years
Maximum Remaining Earn-out Potential	50,000,000
Payments made under acquisition related contingent obligations	0
DiagnosisOne, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Contingent consideration obligation, amount outstanding	1,500,000
Maximum Remaining Earn-out Potential	0
Contingent consideration remaining earn-out settlement		6,000,000
Payments made under acquisition related contingent obligations	4,450,000	4,500,000
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member] | DiagnosisOne, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Maximum Remaining Earn-out Potential	$15,000,000

Equity_Investments_Additional_

Equity Investments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	$3,959	$5,352
SPD [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	3,600	5,100
Ownership percentage	50.00%
TechLab [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	$400	$300
Ownership percentage	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
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Net revenue	$47,857	$48,933
Gross profit	33,271	42,980
Net income after taxes	$8,057	$10,830

Equity_Investments_Financial_I1

Equity Investments - Financial Information for SPD and TechLab on Combined Condensed Balance Sheet (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Current assets	$90,482	$90,546
Non-current assets	32,774	33,697
Total assets	123,256	124,243
Current liabilities	31,455	35,954
Non-current liabilities	6,145	5,884
Total liabilities	$37,600	$41,838

Impairment_and_Gain_Loss_on_Di

Impairment and (Gain) Loss on Dispositions, Net - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015
	USD ($)	USD ($)	Adna Gen Gmbh [Member]	Gesellschaft fur Patientenhilfe DGP mbH [Member]	Gesellschaft fur Patientenhilfe DGP mbH [Member]	Alere Analytics [Member]	Alere Connect Llc [Member]
			USD ($)	USD ($)	EUR (€)	USD ($)	USD ($)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of assets			$4,600,000
Gain from sale of assets			300,000
Cash proceeds from sale of business	581,185,000	4,373,000		8,200,000	7,600,000
Loss on sale of disposal of group				-7,600,000
Impairment charge						26,700,000	700,000
Write-off of intangible assets						26,200,000
Write-off of fixed assets						$500,000

Benefit_for_Income_Taxes_Addit

Benefit for Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Increase in income tax benefit	$7,100,000
Benefit for income taxes	($8,786,000)	($1,680,000)
Effective tax rate	43.00%	17.00%

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio2

Guarantor Financial Information - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	100.00%
7.25% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate of debt instrument	7.25%	7.25%	7.25%
Maturity year of debt instrument	2018
8.625% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate of debt instrument	8.63%	8.63%	8.63%
Maturity year of debt instrument	2018
6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate of debt instrument	6.50%	6.50%	6.50%
Maturity year of debt instrument	2020

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio3

Guarantor Financial Information - Guarantor Financial Information Consolidating Statement of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net product sales	$479,599	$491,319
Services revenue	123,856	128,708
Net product sales and services revenue	603,455	620,027
License and royalty revenue	4,698	5,212
Net revenue	608,153	625,239
Cost of net product sales	238,637	242,981
Cost of services revenue	75,581	70,361
Cost of net product sales and services revenue	314,218	313,342
Cost of license and royalty revenue	1,950	1,539
Cost of net revenue	316,168	314,881
Gross profit (loss)	291,985	310,358
Operating expenses:
Research and development	28,016	38,699
Sales and marketing	109,079	133,044
General and administrative	92,691	103,619
Impairment and (gain) loss on dispositions, net	34,792	0
Operating income (loss)	27,407	34,996
Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs	-46,431	-51,910
Other income (expense), net	-1,270	7,032
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes	-20,294	-9,882
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	-8,786	-1,680
Income (loss) from continuing operations before equity in earnings of subsidiaries and unconsolidated entities, net of tax	-11,508	-8,202
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax	0	0
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	3,959	5,352
Income (loss) from continuing operations	-7,549	-2,850
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	216,777	-2,596
Net income (loss)	209,228	-5,446
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	88	108
Net income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	209,140	-5,554
Preferred stock dividends	-5,250	-5,250
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	203,890	-10,804
Issuer [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net product sales	0	0
Services revenue	0	0
Net product sales and services revenue	0	0
License and royalty revenue	0	0
Net revenue	0	0
Cost of net product sales	416	688
Cost of services revenue	50	73
Cost of net product sales and services revenue	466	761
Cost of license and royalty revenue	-40	0
Cost of net revenue	426	761
Gross profit (loss)	-426	-761
Operating expenses:
Research and development	2,302	5,615
Sales and marketing	1,260	1,868
General and administrative	20,523	18,756
Impairment and (gain) loss on dispositions, net	36,523
Operating income (loss)	-61,034	-27,000
Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs	-46,098	-51,258
Other income (expense), net	3,647	4,694
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes	-103,485	-73,564
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	-20,667	-32,316
Income (loss) from continuing operations before equity in earnings of subsidiaries and unconsolidated entities, net of tax	-82,818	-41,248
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax	72,933	35,069
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	424	405
Income (loss) from continuing operations	-9,461	-5,774
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	218,689	328
Net income (loss)	209,228	-5,446
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	209,228	-5,446
Preferred stock dividends	-5,250	-5,250
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	203,978	-10,696
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net product sales	217,208	209,284
Services revenue	108,057	110,651
Net product sales and services revenue	325,265	319,935
License and royalty revenue	3,197	3,484
Net revenue	328,462	323,419
Cost of net product sales	113,191	111,018
Cost of services revenue	74,037	67,708
Cost of net product sales and services revenue	187,228	178,726
Cost of license and royalty revenue	808	92
Cost of net revenue	188,036	178,818
Gross profit (loss)	140,426	144,601
Operating expenses:
Research and development	14,919	14,845
Sales and marketing	53,227	60,939
General and administrative	37,770	36,069
Impairment and (gain) loss on dispositions, net	30,608
Operating income (loss)	3,902	32,748
Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs	-3,285	-5,494
Other income (expense), net	4,299	5,959
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes	4,916	33,213
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	1,820	20,619
Income (loss) from continuing operations before equity in earnings of subsidiaries and unconsolidated entities, net of tax	3,096	12,594
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax	0	68
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	0	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations	3,096	12,662
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	-1,912	-3,759
Net income (loss)	1,184	8,903
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	1,184	8,903
Preferred stock dividends	0	0
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	1,184	8,903
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net product sales	323,197	335,738
Services revenue	15,799	18,057
Net product sales and services revenue	338,996	353,795
License and royalty revenue	4,363	5,019
Net revenue	343,359	358,814
Cost of net product sales	180,046	183,760
Cost of services revenue	8,395	8,001
Cost of net product sales and services revenue	188,441	191,761
Cost of license and royalty revenue	4,044	4,738
Cost of net revenue	192,485	196,499
Gross profit (loss)	150,874	162,315
Operating expenses:
Research and development	10,795	18,239
Sales and marketing	54,592	70,237
General and administrative	34,398	48,794
Impairment and (gain) loss on dispositions, net	-32,339
Operating income (loss)	83,428	25,045
Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs	-4,043	-4,544
Other income (expense), net	-2,221	5,823
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes	77,164	26,324
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	9,715	8,559
Income (loss) from continuing operations before equity in earnings of subsidiaries and unconsolidated entities, net of tax	67,449	17,765
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax	0	0
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	3,568	5,064
Income (loss) from continuing operations	71,017	22,829
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	835
Net income (loss)	71,017	23,664
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	88	108
Net income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	70,929	23,556
Preferred stock dividends	0	0
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	70,929	23,556
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net product sales	-60,806	-53,703
Services revenue	0	0
Net product sales and services revenue	-60,806	-53,703
License and royalty revenue	-2,862	-3,291
Net revenue	-63,668	-56,994
Cost of net product sales	-55,016	-52,485
Cost of services revenue	-6,901	-5,421
Cost of net product sales and services revenue	-61,917	-57,906
Cost of license and royalty revenue	-2,862	-3,291
Cost of net revenue	-64,779	-61,197
Gross profit (loss)	1,111	4,203
Operating expenses:
Research and development	0	0
Sales and marketing	0	0
General and administrative	0	0
Impairment and (gain) loss on dispositions, net	0
Operating income (loss)	1,111	4,203
Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs	6,995	9,386
Other income (expense), net	-6,995	-9,444
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes	1,111	4,145
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	346	1,458
Income (loss) from continuing operations before equity in earnings of subsidiaries and unconsolidated entities, net of tax	765	2,687
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax	-72,933	-35,137
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	-33	-117
Income (loss) from continuing operations	-72,201	-32,567
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	0
Net income (loss)	-72,201	-32,567
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	-72,201	-32,567
Preferred stock dividends	0	0
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	($72,201)	($32,567)

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio4

Guarantor Financial Information - Guarantor Financial Information Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	$209,228	($5,446)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Changes in cumulative translation adjustment	-80,342	-11,340
Unrealized losses on available for sale securities	0	-17
Unrealized gains on hedging instruments	0	8
Minimum pension liability adjustment	-1,382	74
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	-81,724	-11,275
Income tax benefit related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-81,724	-11,275
Comprehensive income (loss)	127,504	-16,721
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	88	108
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	127,416	-16,829
Issuer [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	209,228	-5,446
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Changes in cumulative translation adjustment	-657	157
Unrealized losses on available for sale securities		0
Unrealized gains on hedging instruments		0
Minimum pension liability adjustment	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	-657	157
Income tax benefit related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-657	157
Comprehensive income (loss)	208,571	-5,289
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	208,571	-5,289
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	1,184	8,903
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Changes in cumulative translation adjustment	-572	-129
Unrealized losses on available for sale securities		-17
Unrealized gains on hedging instruments		0
Minimum pension liability adjustment	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	-572	-146
Income tax benefit related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-572	-146
Comprehensive income (loss)	612	8,757
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	612	8,757
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	71,017	23,664
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Changes in cumulative translation adjustment	-79,113	-11,368
Unrealized losses on available for sale securities		0
Unrealized gains on hedging instruments		8
Minimum pension liability adjustment	-1,382	74
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	-80,495	-11,286
Income tax benefit related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-80,495	-11,286
Comprehensive income (loss)	-9,478	12,378
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	88	108
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	-9,566	12,270
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	-72,201	-32,567
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Changes in cumulative translation adjustment	0	0
Unrealized losses on available for sale securities		0
Unrealized gains on hedging instruments		0
Minimum pension liability adjustment	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	0	0
Income tax benefit related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	-72,201	-32,567
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	($72,201)	($32,567)

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio5

Guarantor Financial Information - Guarantor Financial Information Consolidating Balance Sheet (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$414,495	$378,461	$425,066	$355,431
Restricted cash	37,406	37,571
Marketable securities	173	259
Accounts receivable, net of allowances	471,663	466,106
Inventories, net	374,973	365,165
Deferred tax assets	22,614	112,573
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	117,924	132,413	2,678
Assets held for sale	0	315,515
Intercompany receivables	0	0
Total current assets	1,439,248	1,808,063
Property, plant and equipment, net	446,705	453,570
Goodwill	2,880,164	2,926,666
Other intangible assets with indefinite lives	40,203	43,651
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	1,173,866	1,276,444
Deferred financing costs, net and other non-current assets	61,477	67,832
Investments in subsidiaries	0	0
Investments in unconsolidated entities	95,551	91,693
Deferred tax assets	8,612	8,569
Non-current income tax receivable	2,545	2,468
Intercompany notes receivables	0	0
Total assets	6,148,371	6,678,956
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt	95,299	88,875
Current portion of capital lease obligations	5,072	4,241
Accounts payable	195,980	213,592
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	364,892	375,494
Liabilities related to assets held for sale	0	78,843
Intercompany payables	0	0
Total current liabilities	661,243	761,045
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt, net of current portion	3,023,847	3,621,385
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion	7,747	10,560
Deferred tax liabilities	245,863	214,639
Other long-term liabilities	138,090	161,582
Intercompany notes payables	0	0
Total long-term liabilities	3,415,547	4,008,166
Stockholders' equity	2,067,347	1,905,599
Non-controlling interests	4,234	4,146
Total equity	2,071,581	1,909,745	2,076,513	2,078,138
Total liabilities and equity	6,148,371	6,678,956
Issuer [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	13,827	2,149	13,020	14,801
Restricted cash	3,094	5,012
Marketable securities	0	0
Accounts receivable, net of allowances	0	0
Inventories, net	0	0
Deferred tax assets	-37,763	36,347
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	24,096	9,800
Assets held for sale	0	1,361
Intercompany receivables	614,397	404,990
Total current assets	617,651	459,659
Property, plant and equipment, net	27,988	30,547
Goodwill	0	0
Other intangible assets with indefinite lives	0	0
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	5,649	6,104
Deferred financing costs, net and other non-current assets	36,867	40,992
Investments in subsidiaries	3,235,062	3,740,004
Investments in unconsolidated entities	14,677	13,987
Deferred tax assets	0	0
Non-current income tax receivable	2,545	2,468
Intercompany notes receivables	2,040,842	2,028,701
Total assets	5,981,281	6,322,462
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt	68,711	61,700
Current portion of capital lease obligations	0	0
Accounts payable	13,811	21,402
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	-481,993	-536,286
Liabilities related to assets held for sale		1,094
Intercompany payables	794,586	902,576
Total current liabilities	395,115	450,486
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt, net of current portion	3,018,829	3,615,759
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion	0	0
Deferred tax liabilities	-37,773	-107,844
Other long-term liabilities	41,796	42,762
Intercompany notes payables	495,967	415,700
Total long-term liabilities	3,518,819	3,966,377
Stockholders' equity	2,067,347	1,905,599
Non-controlling interests	0	0
Total equity	2,067,347	1,905,599
Total liabilities and equity	5,981,281	6,322,462
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	87,557	69,154	74,088	78,976
Restricted cash	0	0
Marketable securities	173	259
Accounts receivable, net of allowances	190,217	192,775
Inventories, net	194,768	191,323
Deferred tax assets	29,263	44,961
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	18,365	31,410
Assets held for sale	0	284,369
Intercompany receivables	629,354	888,688
Total current assets	1,149,697	1,702,939
Property, plant and equipment, net	222,584	218,613
Goodwill	1,790,956	1,795,663
Other intangible assets with indefinite lives	8,139	9,287
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	688,605	742,760
Deferred financing costs, net and other non-current assets	4,870	5,334
Investments in subsidiaries	179,176	179,315
Investments in unconsolidated entities	14,765	14,765
Deferred tax assets	0	0
Non-current income tax receivable	0	0
Intercompany notes receivables	713,417	649,444
Total assets	4,772,209	5,318,120
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt	0	2
Current portion of capital lease obligations	2,185	1,045
Accounts payable	81,095	81,741
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	615,859	663,221
Liabilities related to assets held for sale		77,749
Intercompany payables	255,402	198,788
Total current liabilities	954,541	1,022,546
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt, net of current portion	0	0
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion	2,330	4,097
Deferred tax liabilities	217,479	252,944
Other long-term liabilities	46,019	46,865
Intercompany notes payables	1,258,851	1,276,245
Total long-term liabilities	1,524,679	1,580,151
Stockholders' equity	2,292,989	2,715,423
Non-controlling interests	0	0
Total equity	2,292,989	2,715,423
Total liabilities and equity	4,772,209	5,318,120
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	313,111	307,158	337,958	261,654
Restricted cash	34,312	32,559
Marketable securities	0	0
Accounts receivable, net of allowances	281,446	273,331
Inventories, net	200,614	195,606
Deferred tax assets	31,114	31,265
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	70,838	88,695
Assets held for sale	0	29,785
Intercompany receivables	44,793	55,923
Total current assets	976,228	1,014,322
Property, plant and equipment, net	196,114	204,188
Goodwill	1,089,208	1,131,003
Other intangible assets with indefinite lives	32,123	34,422
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	479,612	527,580
Deferred financing costs, net and other non-current assets	19,825	21,541
Investments in subsidiaries	58,132	58,067
Investments in unconsolidated entities	52,853	49,608
Deferred tax assets	8,612	8,569
Non-current income tax receivable	0	0
Intercompany notes receivables	46,976	46,676
Total assets	2,959,683	3,095,976
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt	26,588	27,173
Current portion of capital lease obligations	2,887	3,196
Accounts payable	101,074	110,449
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	228,532	248,604
Liabilities related to assets held for sale		0
Intercompany payables	238,558	248,237
Total current liabilities	597,639	637,659
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt, net of current portion	5,018	5,626
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion	5,417	6,463
Deferred tax liabilities	66,150	69,457
Other long-term liabilities	50,360	71,988
Intercompany notes payables	1,046,416	1,032,876
Total long-term liabilities	1,173,361	1,186,410
Stockholders' equity	1,184,449	1,267,761
Non-controlling interests	4,234	4,146
Total equity	1,188,683	1,271,907
Total liabilities and equity	2,959,683	3,095,976
Eliminations [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Restricted cash	0	0
Marketable securities	0	0
Accounts receivable, net of allowances	0	0
Inventories, net	-20,409	-21,764
Deferred tax assets	0	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	4,625	2,508
Assets held for sale	0	0
Intercompany receivables	-1,288,544	-1,349,601
Total current assets	-1,304,328	-1,368,857
Property, plant and equipment, net	19	222
Goodwill	0	0
Other intangible assets with indefinite lives	-59	-58
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	0	0
Deferred financing costs, net and other non-current assets	-85	-35
Investments in subsidiaries	-3,472,370	-3,977,386
Investments in unconsolidated entities	13,256	13,333
Deferred tax assets	0	0
Non-current income tax receivable	0	0
Intercompany notes receivables	-2,801,235	-2,724,821
Total assets	-7,564,802	-8,057,602
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt	0	0
Current portion of capital lease obligations	0	0
Accounts payable	0	0
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	2,494	-45
Liabilities related to assets held for sale		0
Intercompany payables	-1,288,546	-1,349,601
Total current liabilities	-1,286,052	-1,349,646
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt, net of current portion	0	0
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion	0	0
Deferred tax liabilities	7	82
Other long-term liabilities	-85	-33
Intercompany notes payables	-2,801,234	-2,724,821
Total long-term liabilities	-2,801,312	-2,724,772
Stockholders' equity	-3,477,438	-3,983,184
Non-controlling interests	0	0
Total equity	-3,477,438	-3,983,184
Total liabilities and equity	($7,564,802)	($8,057,602)

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio6

Guarantor Financial Information - Guarantor Financial Information Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$209,228	($5,446)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	216,777	-2,596
Income (loss) from continuing operations	-7,549	-2,850
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Tax benefit related to discontinued operations	0	1,211
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax	0	0
Non-cash interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs	3,946	4,028
Depreciation and amortization	74,368	83,820
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	5,149	5,704
Impairment of inventory	78	589
Impairment of long-lived assets	-69	161
Loss on disposition of fixed assets	1,391	1,527
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	-3,959	-5,352
Deferred income taxes	-20,349	-19,099
Impairment and (gain) loss on dispositions, net	34,792	0
Other non-cash items	5,923	-2,804
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable, net	-16,881	25,146
Inventories, net	-31,168	-12,705
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	18,980	2,678
Accounts payable	-18,648	3,551
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	6,827	6,826
Other non-current liabilities	-21,117	10,391
Cash paid for contingent consideration	-3,654	-3,475
Intercompany payable (receivable)	0	0
Net cash provided by continuing operations	28,060	99,347
Net cash provided by discontinued operations	318	6,550
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	28,378	105,897
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	71	2,151
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-25,647	-24,831
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	808	128
Cash received from (used in) disposition, net of cash divested	581,185	4,373
Cash received from sales of marketable securities	86	60
Cash paid for equity method investments	0	-507
Increase (decrease) in other assets	913	-1,617
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations	557,416	-20,243
Net cash used in discontinued operations	-209	-4,005
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	557,207	-24,248
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Cash paid for financing costs	-59	-7
Cash paid for contingent purchase price consideration	-4,696	-4,045
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs	34,632	14,698
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	15	0
Payments on short-term debt	-321	0
Payments on long-term debt	-463,011	-15,562
Net proceeds (payments) under revolving credit facilities	-127,050	233
Cash paid for dividends	-5,323	-5,323
Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options	649	292
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	-1,484	-1,620
Net cash used in continuing operations	-566,648	-11,334
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations	-76	308
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-566,724	-11,026
Foreign exchange effect on cash and cash equivalents	-6,127	495
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	12,734	71,118
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period - continuing operations	378,461	355,431
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period - discontinued operations	23,300	6,476
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	414,495	433,025
Less: Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations, end of period	0	7,959
Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations, end of period	414,495	425,066
Issuer [Member]
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	209,228	-5,446
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	218,689	328
Income (loss) from continuing operations	-9,461	-5,774
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Tax benefit related to discontinued operations		0
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax	-72,933	-35,069
Non-cash interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs	3,917	3,857
Depreciation and amortization	1,650	1,399
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	2,435	2,407
Impairment of inventory	0	0
Impairment of long-lived assets	0	0
Loss on disposition of fixed assets	0	0
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	-424	-405
Deferred income taxes	9	-19,028
Impairment and (gain) loss on dispositions, net	36,523
Other non-cash items	1,686	0
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable, net	0	0
Inventories, net	0	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-4,680	-26,287
Accounts payable	-7,637	-4,305
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	-1,531	22,109
Other non-current liabilities	-5,980	9,099
Cash paid for contingent consideration	-3,641	-3,417
Intercompany payable (receivable)	49,312	67,749
Net cash provided by continuing operations	-10,755	12,335
Net cash provided by discontinued operations	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-10,755	12,335
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	1,919	2,125
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-3,274	-6,055
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	0	269
Cash received from (used in) disposition, net of cash divested	587,637	0
Cash received from sales of marketable securities	0	0
Cash paid for equity method investments		-504
Increase (decrease) in other assets	348	-311
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations	586,630	-4,476
Net cash used in discontinued operations	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	586,630	-4,476
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Cash paid for financing costs	-59	-7
Cash paid for contingent purchase price consideration	-3,953	-3,922
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs	34,632	14,698
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0
Payments on short-term debt	0
Payments on long-term debt	-463,000	-15,000
Net proceeds (payments) under revolving credit facilities	-127,000	0
Cash paid for dividends	-5,323	-5,323
Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options	506	53
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	0	0
Net cash used in continuing operations	-564,197	-9,501
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations	0	-150
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-564,197	-9,651
Foreign exchange effect on cash and cash equivalents	0	11
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	11,678	-1,781
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period - continuing operations	2,149	14,801
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period - discontinued operations	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		13,020
Less: Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations, end of period		0
Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations, end of period	13,827	13,020
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	1,184	8,903
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	-1,912	-3,759
Income (loss) from continuing operations	3,096	12,662
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Tax benefit related to discontinued operations		1,737
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax	0	-68
Non-cash interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs	7	12
Depreciation and amortization	42,097	44,180
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	1,239	1,093
Impairment of inventory	133	0
Impairment of long-lived assets	28	0
Loss on disposition of fixed assets	1,346	1,465
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	0	0
Deferred income taxes	-21,021	1,508
Impairment and (gain) loss on dispositions, net	30,608
Other non-cash items	-749	2,052
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable, net	2,558	-6,573
Inventories, net	-13,803	-8,536
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	13,671	22,016
Accounts payable	-470	10,394
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	12,716	-6,440
Other non-current liabilities	-197	1,158
Cash paid for contingent consideration	0	0
Intercompany payable (receivable)	-57,097	-70,945
Net cash provided by continuing operations	14,162	5,715
Net cash provided by discontinued operations	318	5,902
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	14,480	11,617
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	0	0
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-10,154	-10,500
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	0	663
Cash received from (used in) disposition, net of cash divested	-8,584	0
Cash received from sales of marketable securities	86	60
Cash paid for equity method investments		0
Increase (decrease) in other assets	362	-877
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations	-18,290	-10,654
Net cash used in discontinued operations	-209	-4,005
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-18,499	-14,659
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Cash paid for financing costs	0	0
Cash paid for contingent purchase price consideration	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0
Payments on short-term debt	0
Payments on long-term debt	0	-40
Net proceeds (payments) under revolving credit facilities	0	0
Cash paid for dividends	0	0
Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options	32	207
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	-627	-860
Net cash used in continuing operations	-595	-693
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations	-76	458
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-671	-235
Foreign exchange effect on cash and cash equivalents	-207	-128
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-4,897	-3,405
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period - continuing operations	69,154	78,976
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period - discontinued operations	23,300	6,476
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		82,047
Less: Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations, end of period		7,959
Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations, end of period	87,557	74,088
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	71,017	23,664
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	835
Income (loss) from continuing operations	71,017	22,829
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Tax benefit related to discontinued operations		-526
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax	0	0
Non-cash interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs	22	159
Depreciation and amortization	30,608	38,165
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	1,475	2,204
Impairment of inventory	-55	589
Impairment of long-lived assets	-97	161
Loss on disposition of fixed assets	45	62
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	-3,568	-5,064
Deferred income taxes	318	-3,037
Impairment and (gain) loss on dispositions, net	-32,339
Other non-cash items	4,987	-4,856
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable, net	-19,439	31,719
Inventories, net	-16,052	-105
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	15,179	11,252
Accounts payable	-10,541	-2,538
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	-9,970	-9,198
Other non-current liabilities	-14,467	-3,820
Cash paid for contingent consideration	-13	-58
Intercompany payable (receivable)	7,784	3,196
Net cash provided by continuing operations	24,894	81,134
Net cash provided by discontinued operations	0	648
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	24,894	81,782
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	-1,848	26
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-12,409	-9,093
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	808	112
Cash received from (used in) disposition, net of cash divested	2,132	4,373
Cash received from sales of marketable securities	0	0
Cash paid for equity method investments		-3
Increase (decrease) in other assets	152	-482
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations	-11,165	-5,067
Net cash used in discontinued operations	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-11,165	-5,067
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Cash paid for financing costs	0	0
Cash paid for contingent purchase price consideration	-743	-123
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	15
Payments on short-term debt	-321
Payments on long-term debt	-11	-522
Net proceeds (payments) under revolving credit facilities	-50	233
Cash paid for dividends	0	0
Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options	111	32
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	-857	-760
Net cash used in continuing operations	-1,856	-1,140
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-1,856	-1,140
Foreign exchange effect on cash and cash equivalents	-5,920	729
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	5,953	76,304
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period - continuing operations	307,158	261,654
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period - discontinued operations	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		337,958
Less: Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations, end of period		0
Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations, end of period	313,111	337,958
Eliminations [Member]
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	-72,201	-32,567
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations	-72,201	-32,567
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Tax benefit related to discontinued operations		0
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax	72,933	35,137
Non-cash interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	13	76
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	0	0
Impairment of inventory	0	0
Impairment of long-lived assets	0	0
Loss on disposition of fixed assets	0	0
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	33	117
Deferred income taxes	345	1,458
Impairment and (gain) loss on dispositions, net	0
Other non-cash items	-1	0
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable, net	0	0
Inventories, net	-1,313	-4,064
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-5,190	-4,303
Accounts payable	0	0
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	5,612	355
Other non-current liabilities	-473	3,954
Cash paid for contingent consideration	0	0
Intercompany payable (receivable)	1	0
Net cash provided by continuing operations	-241	163
Net cash provided by discontinued operations	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-241	163
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	0	0
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	190	817
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	0	-916
Cash received from (used in) disposition, net of cash divested	0	0
Cash received from sales of marketable securities	0	0
Cash paid for equity method investments		0
Increase (decrease) in other assets	51	53
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations	241	-46
Net cash used in discontinued operations	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	241	-46
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Cash paid for financing costs	0	0
Cash paid for contingent purchase price consideration	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0
Payments on short-term debt	0
Payments on long-term debt	0	0
Net proceeds (payments) under revolving credit facilities	0	0
Cash paid for dividends	0	0
Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options	0	0
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	0	0
Net cash used in continuing operations	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	0	0
Foreign exchange effect on cash and cash equivalents	0	-117
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period - continuing operations	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period - discontinued operations	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		0
Less: Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations, end of period		0
Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations, end of period	$0	$0