IQVIA (IQV) 10-K 13 Feb 14 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 06, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-13	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Trading Symbol	'Q	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'Quintiles Transnational Holdings Inc.	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001478242	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Non-accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	129,842,707	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$1,419,937,239

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_INC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'
Service revenues	$3,808,340	$3,692,298	$3,294,966
Reimbursed expenses	1,291,205	1,173,215	1,032,782
Total revenues	5,099,545	4,865,513	4,327,748
Costs, expenses and other:	'	'	'
Costs of revenue, service costs	2,471,426	2,459,367	2,153,005
Costs of revenue, reimbursed expenses	1,291,205	1,173,215	1,032,782
Selling, general and administrative	860,510	817,755	762,299
Restructuring costs	14,071	18,741	22,116
Impairment charges	'	'	12,295
Income (loss) from operations	462,333	396,435	345,251
Interest income	-3,937	-3,067	-3,939
Interest expense	123,508	134,371	109,065
Loss on extinguishment of debt	19,831	1,275	46,377
Other (income) expense, net	-185	-3,572	9,073
Income before income taxes and equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	323,116	267,428	184,675
Income tax expense	95,965	93,364	15,105
Income before equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	227,151	174,064	169,570
Equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	-1,124	2,567	70,757
Net income	226,027	176,631	240,327
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	564	915	1,445
Net income	$226,591	$177,546	$241,772
Earnings per share attributable to common shareholders:	'	'	'
Basic	$1.83	$1.53	$2.08
Diluted	$1.77	$1.51	$2.05
Weighted average common shares outstanding:	'	'	'
Basic	124,147	115,710	116,232
Diluted	127,862	117,796	117,936

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net income	$226,027	$176,631	$240,327
Unrealized gain (losses) on marketable securities, net of income taxes of $2,016, $258 and ($37)	3,225	400	-60
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net of income taxes of ($751), ($4,392) and ($9,969)	358	-6,306	-16,063
Foreign currency translation, net of income taxes of ($2,465), $2,964 and ($3,851)	-22,663	-8,983	-13,376
Defined benefit plan adjustment, net of income taxes of ($131), ($1,444) and $27	2,278	-3,172	-1,743
Reclassification adjustments:	'	'	'
Losses on derivative instruments included in net income, net of income taxes of $4,991, $1,313 and $5,541	8,089	2,188	8,354
Amortization of prior service costs and losses included in net income, net of income taxes of $389, $446 and $553	655	723	762
Foreign currency translation on sale of equity method investment	'	'	-531
Comprehensive income	217,969	161,481	217,670
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	551	889	1,396
Comprehensive income attributable to Quintiles Transnational Holdings Inc.	$218,520	$162,370	$219,066

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'
Unrealized gains on marketable securities, income taxes	$2,016	$258	($37)
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, income taxes	-751	-4,392	-9,969
Foreign currency translation, income taxes	-2,465	2,964	3,851
Defined benefit plan adjustment, income taxes	-131	-1,444	27
Losses on derivative instruments included in net income, income taxes	4,991	1,313	5,541
Amortization of prior service costs and losses included in net income, income taxes	$389	$446	$553

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$778,143	$567,728
Restricted cash	2,712	2,822
Trade accounts receivable and unbilled services, net	924,205	745,373
Prepaid expenses	42,801	33,354
Deferred income taxes	92,115	69,038
Income taxes receivable	16,171	17,597
Other current assets and receivables	89,541	74,082
Total current assets	1,945,688	1,509,994
Property and equipment, net	199,578	193,999
Investments in debt, equity and other securities	40,349	35,951
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates	22,927	19,148
Goodwill	409,626	302,429
Other identifiable intangibles, net	298,054	272,813
Deferred income taxes	32,864	37,313
Deposits and other assets	117,711	127,506
Total assets	3,066,797	2,499,153
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	100,616	84,712
Accrued expenses	761,189	658,119
Unearned income	538,585	456,587
Income taxes payable	35,778	9,639
Current portion of long-term debt and obligations held under capital leases	10,433	55,710
Other current liabilities	35,646	44,230
Total current liabilities	1,482,247	1,308,997
Long-term debt and obligations held under capital leases, less current portion	2,035,586	2,366,268
Deferred income taxes	37,541	11,616
Other liabilities	178,908	171,316
Total liabilities	3,734,282	3,858,197
Commitments and contingencies (Note 1)	'	'
Shareholders' deficit:	'	'
Common stock and additional paid-in capital, 300,000 and 150,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, $0.01 par value, 129,652 and 115,764 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively	478,144	4,554
Accumulated deficit	-1,145,181	-1,371,772
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	-376	7,695
Deficit attributable to Quintiles Transnational Holdings Inc.'s shareholders	-667,413	-1,359,523
Equity attributable to noncontrolling interests	-72	479
Total shareholders' deficit	-667,485	-1,359,044
Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit	$3,066,797	$2,499,153

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Common stock, authorized	300,000,000	150,000,000	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01	'	'
Common stock, shares issued	129,652,000	115,764,000	'	'
Common stock, shares outstanding	129,652,000	115,764,000	115,966,141	116,399,585

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating activities:	'	'	'
Net income	$226,027	$176,631	$240,327
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	107,504	98,288	92,004
Amortization of debt issuance costs and discount	21,825	9,237	30,016
Share-based compensation	22,826	25,926	14,130
Gain on disposals of property and equipment, net	-1,153	-541	-1,113
Impairment of long-lived assets	'	'	12,150
Loss (earnings) from unconsolidated affiliates	1,004	-2,499	-70,757
(Benefit from) provision for deferred income taxes	-24,236	16,595	-73,216
Excess income tax benefits on stock option exercises and repurchases	-16,204	-465	-41
Change in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'	'
Accounts receivable and unbilled services	-151,681	-60,255	-115,748
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-18,759	-26,943	-21,918
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	107,047	58,345	67,382
Unearned income	71,852	54,502	-52,425
Income taxes payable and other liabilities	51,318	-13,120	40,162
Net cash provided by operating activities	397,370	335,701	160,953
Investing activities:	'	'	'
Acquisition of property, equipment and software	-92,346	-71,336	-75,679
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	-144,970	-43,197	-227,115
Proceeds from disposition of property and equipment	2,021	2,729	2,976
Cash paid to terminate interest rate swaps	'	'	-11,630
Purchase of equity securities	'	-13,204	-16,054
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates, net of payments received	-7,353	-3,646	-17,846
Proceeds from (payments made for) sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliates	2,335	-577	109,140
Purchase of other investments	'	-161	-5,000
Change in restricted cash, net	78	231	19,152
Other	60	-3,072	-2,782
Net cash used in investing activities	-240,175	-132,233	-224,838
Financing activities:	'	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of debt	2,060,755	2,441,017	1,980,000
Payment of debt issuance costs	-2,607	-9,728	-18,393
Repayment of debt	-2,444,600	-1,995,472	-1,712,673
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	-3,812	-5,407	-7,206
Issuance of common stock	525,000	3,116	'
Payment of common stock issuance costs	-35,439	'	'
Exercise of stock options	12,539	350	1,114
Repurchase of common stock	-6,434	-13,363	-14,324
Repurchase of stock options	-50,649	'	'
Excess income tax benefits on stock option exercises and repurchases	16,204	465	41
Investment by noncontrolling interest, net	'	'	454
Dividends paid to common shareholders	'	-567,851	-288,322
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	70,957	-146,873	-59,309
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash	-17,737	-5,166	-7,122
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	210,415	51,429	-130,316
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	567,728	516,299	646,615
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$778,143	$567,728	$516,299

STATEMENTS_OF_SHAREHOLDERS_DEF

STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT (USD $)	Total	(Accumulated Deficit) [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
In Thousands
Beginning Balance, Value at Dec. 31, 2010	($900,359)	($948,830)	$45,577	$1,164	'	$1,730
Issuance of common stock, Value	1,114	'	'	1	1,113	'
Repurchase of common stock, Value	-14,324	-1,539	'	-5	-12,780	'
Share-based compensation	14,130	'	'	'	14,130	'
Income tax benefit on stock option exercises	41	'	'	'	41	'
Cash dividends paid to common shareholders	-288,322	-285,818	'	'	-2,504	'
Investment by noncontrolling interest	454	'	'	'	'	454
Net income	241,772	241,772	'	'	'	-1,445
Unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of tax	-60	'	-60	'	'	'
Unrealized gain on derivative instruments, net of tax	-16,063	'	-16,063	'	'	'
Reclassification adjustments, net of tax	8,585	'	8,585	'	'	'
Defined benefit plan adjustment, net of tax	-1,743	'	-1,743	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation, net of tax	-13,376	'	-13,425	'	'	49
Ending Balance, Value at Dec. 31, 2011	-969,596	-994,415	22,871	1,160	'	788
Issuance of common stock, Value	3,466	'	'	3	3,463	'
Repurchase of common stock, Value	-13,363	'	'	-5	-13,358	'
Share-based compensation	25,926	'	'	'	25,926	'
Income tax benefit on stock option exercises and repurchases	465	'	'	'	465	'
Cash dividends paid to common shareholders	-567,851	-554,903	'	'	-12,948	'
Investment by noncontrolling interest	580	'	'	'	'	580
Net income	177,546	177,546	'	'	'	-915
Unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of tax	400	'	400	'	'	'
Unrealized gain on derivative instruments, net of tax	-6,306	'	-6,306	'	'	'
Reclassification adjustments, net of tax	2,911	'	2,911	'	'	'
Defined benefit plan adjustment, net of tax	-3,172	'	-3,172	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation, net of tax	-8,983	'	-9,009	'	'	26
Ending Balance, Value at Dec. 31, 2012	-1,359,044	-1,371,772	7,695	1,158	3,396	479
Issuance of common stock, Value	537,539	'	'	141	537,398	'
Stock issuance costs	-35,439	'	'	'	-35,439	'
Repurchase of common stock, Value	-6,434	'	'	-2	-6,432	'
Repurchase of stock options	-59,064	'	'	'	-59,064	'
Share-based compensation	22,826	'	'	'	22,826	'
Income tax benefit on stock option exercises and repurchases	16,204	'	'	'	16,204	'
Net income	226,591	226,591	'	'	'	-564
Unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of tax	3,225	'	3,225	'	'	'
Unrealized gain on derivative instruments, net of tax	358	'	358	'	'	'
Reclassification adjustments, net of tax	8,744	'	8,744	'	'	'
Defined benefit plan adjustment, net of tax	2,278	'	2,278	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation, net of tax	-22,663	'	-22,676	'	'	13
Ending Balance, Value at Dec. 31, 2013	($667,485)	($1,145,181)	($376)	$1,297	$476,847	($72)

STATEMENTS_OF_SHAREHOLDERS_DEF1

STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT (Parenthetical)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Statement Of Stockholders Equity [Abstract]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance, Shares	115,764,000	115,966,141	116,399,585
Issuance of common stock, Shares	14,041,620	306,025	93,322
Repurchase of common stock, Shares	153,223	508,656	526,766
Ending Balance, Shares	129,652,000	115,764,000	115,966,141

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	The Company
	Conducting business in approximately 100 countries with approximately 28,200 employees, Quintiles Transnational Holdings Inc. (the “Company”) is a provider of pharmaceutical development services and commercial outsourcing services that helps its biopharmaceutical customers, as well as customers in the larger healthcare industry, to make decisions regarding drug development, commercialization and drug therapy choices. The Company also offers a number of services designed to address the outcomes and analytical needs of the broader healthcare industry.
	Initial Public Offering
	On May 9, 2013, the Company’s common stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “Q”. On May 14, 2013, the Company completed its initial public offering (“IPO”) of its common stock at a price to the public of $40.00 per share. The Company issued and sold 13,125,000 shares of common stock in the IPO. The selling shareholders offered and sold 14,111,841 shares of common stock in the IPO, including 3,552,631 shares that were offered and sold by the selling shareholders pursuant to the full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares. The IPO raised proceeds to the Company of approximately $489.6 million, after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and related expenses. The Company did not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares sold by the selling shareholders.
	Reclassifications
	Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These changes had no effect on previously reported total revenues, net income, comprehensive income, shareholders’ deficit or cash flows.
	Principles of Consolidation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of the Company and its subsidiaries. Amounts pertaining to the noncontrolling ownership interests held in third parties in the operating results and financial position of the Company’s majority-owned subsidiaries are reported as noncontrolling interests. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. These estimates are based on historical experience and various other assumptions believed reasonable under the circumstances. The Company evaluates its estimates on an ongoing basis and makes changes to the estimates and related disclosures as experience develops or new information becomes known. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
	Foreign Currencies
	The Company’s financial statements are reported in United States dollars and, accordingly, fluctuations in exchange rates will affect the translation of its revenues and expenses denominated in foreign currencies into United States dollars for purposes of reporting its consolidated financial results. Assets and liabilities recorded in foreign currencies on the books of foreign subsidiaries are translated at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. Revenues, costs and expenses are translated at average rates of exchange during the year. Translation adjustments resulting from this process are charged or credited to the accumulated other comprehensive income component of shareholders’ deficit. The Company is subject to foreign currency transaction risk for fluctuations in exchange rates during the period of time between the consummation and cash settlement of a transaction. The Company earns revenue from its service contracts over a period of several months and, in some cases, over a period of several years. Accordingly, exchange rate fluctuations during this period may affect the Company’s profitability with respect to such contracts. Foreign currency transactions of approximately $4.0 million loss, $1.1 million loss and $1.9 million gain are included in other (income) expense, net in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Investments
	The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an initial maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company’s restricted cash primarily consisted of amounts collateralizing standby letters of credit issued in favor of certain suppliers and health insurance funds. Investments in marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale and measured at fair market value with net unrealized gains and losses recorded in the accumulated other comprehensive income component of shareholders’ deficit until realized. The fair market value is based on the closing price as quoted by the respective stock exchange. In addition, the Company has investments in equity securities of companies for which there are not readily available market values and for which the Company does not exercise significant influence or control; such investments are accounted for using the cost method. Any gains or losses from the sales of investments or other-than-temporary declines in fair value are computed by specific identification.
	Equity Method Investments
	The Company’s investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates are accounted for under the equity method if the Company exercises significant influence or has an investment in a limited partnership that is considered to be greater than minor. These investments and advances are classified as investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company records its pro rata share of the earnings, adjusted for accretion of basis difference, of these investments in equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates on the accompanying consolidated statements of income. Accretion recognized in 2013, 2012 and 2011 was approximately $100,000, $183,000 and $1.0 million, respectively. The Company reviews its investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable.
	Derivatives
	The Company uses derivative instruments to manage exposures to interest rates and foreign currencies. The Company also holds freestanding warrants. Derivatives are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value at each balance sheet date utilizing pricing models for non-exchange-traded contracts. At inception, the Company designates whether or not the derivative instrument is an effective hedge of an asset, liability or firm commitment which is then classified as either a cash flow hedge or a fair value hedge. If determined to be an effective cash flow hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income until realized. We include the impact from these hedges in the same line item as the hedged item on the consolidated statements of cash flows. Changes in fair value of effective fair value hedges are recorded in earnings as an offset to the changes in the fair value of the related hedged item. Hedge ineffectiveness, if any, is immediately recognized in earnings. Changes in the fair values of derivative instruments that are not an effective hedge are recognized in earnings. The Company has entered, and may in the future enter, into derivative contracts (swaps, forwards, calls or puts, warrants, for example) related to its debt, investments in marketable equity securities and forecasted foreign currency transactions.
	Billed and Unbilled Services and Unearned Income
	In general, prerequisites for billings and payments are established by contractual provisions including predetermined payment schedules, which may or may not correspond to the timing of the performance of services under the contract. Unbilled services arise when services have been rendered for which revenue has been recognized but the customers have not been billed.
	In some cases, payments received are in excess of revenue recognized. Payments received in advance of services being provided are deferred as unearned income on the consolidated balance sheet. As the contracted services are subsequently performed and the associated revenue is recognized, the unearned income balance is reduced by the amount of the revenue recognized during the period.
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts is determined based on a variety of factors that affect the potential collectability of the related receivables, including length of time the receivables are past due, customer credit ratings, financial stability of the customer, specific one-time events and past customer history. In addition, in circumstances where the Company is made aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, a specific allowance is established. The accounts are individually evaluated on a regular basis and appropriate reserves are established as deemed appropriate based on the above criteria.
	Business Combinations
	Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method, and accordingly, the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree are recorded at their estimated fair values on the date of the acquisition. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired, including the amount assigned to identifiable intangible assets. When a business combination involves contingent consideration, the Company recognizes a liability equal to the estimated fair value of the contingent consideration obligation at the date of the acquisition. Subsequent changes in the estimated fair value of the contingent consideration are recognized in earnings in the period of the change.
	Long-Lived Assets
	Property and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over the shorter of the asset’s estimated useful life or the lease term, if related to leased property, as follows:
	Buildings and leasehold improvements		3 - 40 years
	Equipment		3 - 10 years
	Furniture and fixtures		5 - 10 years
	Motor vehicles		3 - 5 years
	Definite-lived identifiable intangible assets are amortized primarily using an accelerated method that reflects the pattern in which the Company expects to benefit from the use of the asset over its estimated remaining useful life as follows:
	Trademarks and trade names		1 - 8 years
	Product licensing and distribution rights		1 - 7 years
	Non-compete agreements		2 - 4 years
	Contract backlog and customer relationships		1 - 12 years
	Software and related assets		3 - 5 years
	Goodwill and indefinite-lived identifiable intangible assets, which consist of certain trade names, are not amortized but evaluated for impairment annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate an impairment.
	Included in software and related items is the capitalized cost of internal-use software used in supporting the Company’s business. Qualifying costs incurred during the application development stage are capitalized and amortized over their estimated useful lives. The Company recognized $32.2 million, $27.4 million and $19.9 million of amortization expense in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, related to software and related assets.
	The carrying values of property, equipment and intangible and other long-lived assets are reviewed for recoverability if the facts and circumstances suggest that a potential impairment may have occurred. If this review indicates that carrying values will not be recoverable, as determined based on undiscounted cash flow projections, the Company will record an impairment charge to reduce carrying values to estimated fair value. There were no events, facts or circumstances in 2013 and 2012 that resulted in any impairment charges to the Company’s property, equipment, intangible or other long-lived assets. In 2011, the Company recognized a $12.2 million impairment charge related to long-lived assets in its early clinical development service offerings.
	Revenue Recognition
	The Company recognizes revenue when all of the following conditions are satisfied: (1) there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement; (2) the service offering has been delivered to the customer; (3) the collection of the fees is probable; and (4) the arrangement consideration is fixed or determinable. The Company’s arrangements are primarily service contracts that range in duration from a few months to several years. Most contracts may be terminated upon 30 to 90 days notice by the customer, however, in the event of termination, contract provisions typically require payment for services rendered through the date of termination, as well as for subsequent services rendered to close out the contract.
	In some cases, contracts provide for consideration that is contingent upon the occurrence of uncertain future events. The Company recognizes contingent revenue when the contingency has been resolved and all other criteria for revenue recognition have been met. The Company treats cash payments to customers as incentives to induce the customers to enter into such a service agreement with the Company. The related asset is amortized as a reduction of revenue over the period the services are performed. The Company records revenues net of any tax assessments by governmental authorities, such as value added taxes, that are imposed on and concurrent with specific revenue generating transactions. The Company does not recognize revenue with respect to start-up activities including contract and scope negotiation, feasibility analysis and conflict of interest review associated with contracts. The costs for these activities are expensed as incurred.
	For the arrangements that include multiple elements, arrangement consideration is allocated to units of accounting based on the relative selling price. The best evidence of selling price of a unit of accounting is vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”), which is the price the Company charges when the deliverable is sold separately. When VSOE is not available to determine selling price, management uses relevant third-party evidence (“TPE”) of selling price, if available. When neither VSOE nor TPE of selling price exists, management uses its best estimate of selling price considering all relevant information that is available without undue cost and effort.
	The majority of the Company’s contracts within the Product Development segment are service contracts for clinical research that represent a single unit of accounting. The Company recognizes revenue on its clinical research services contracts as services are performed primarily on a proportional-performance basis, generally using output measures that are specific to the service provided. Examples of output measures include among others, number of investigators enrolled, number of site initiation visits and number of monitoring visits completed. Revenue is determined by dividing the actual units of work completed by the total units of work required under the contract and multiplying that ratio by the total contract value. The total contract value, or total contractual payments, represents the aggregate contracted price for each of the agreed upon services to be provided. Changes in the scope of work are common, especially under long-term contracts, and generally result in a change in contract value. Once the customer has agreed to the changes in scope and renegotiated pricing terms, the contract value is amended and revenue is recognized, as described above. To the extent that contracts involve multiple elements, the Company follows the allocation methodology described above and recognizes revenue for each unit of accounting on a proportional performance basis.
	The Company derives the majority of its revenues in its Integrated Healthcare Services segment from providing commercialization services on a fee-for-service basis to customers within the biopharmaceutical industry. Fees on these arrangements are billed based on a contractual per-diem or hourly rate basis. The Company recognizes revenue on commercialization services contracts primarily on a time and materials basis. Some of the Company’s commercialization contracts are multiple element arrangements, with elements including recruiting, training and deployment of sales representatives. The nature of the terms of these multiple element arrangements will vary based on the customized needs of the Company’s customers. For contracts that have multiple elements, the Company follows the allocation methodology described above and recognizes revenue for each unit of accounting on a time and materials basis. The Company’s commercialization contracts sometimes include variable fees that are based on a percentage of product sales (royalty payments). The Company recognizes revenue on royalty payments when the variable components become fixed or determinable and all other revenue recognition criteria have been met, which generally only occurs upon the sale of the underlying product(s) and upon the Company’s receipt of information necessary to make a reasonable estimate.
	Reimbursed Expenses
	The Company includes reimbursed expenses in total revenues and costs of revenue as the Company is deemed to be the primary obligor in the applicable arrangements. These costs include such items as payments to investigators and travel expenses for the Company’s clinical monitors and sales representatives.
	Expenses
	Costs of revenue include reimbursed expenses, compensation and benefits for billable employees, depreciation of assets used in generating revenue and other expenses directly related to service contracts such as courier fees and laboratory supplies for the Company’s laboratory services, professional services and travel expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses primarily include costs related to administrative functions such as compensation and benefits, travel, professional services, training and expenses for advertising, information technology, facilities and depreciation and amortization.
	Concentration of Credit Risk
	Financial instruments that subject the Company to credit risk primarily consist of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and accounts receivable. The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalent balances with high-quality financial institutions and, consequently, the Company believes that such funds are subject to minimal credit risk. Investment policies have been implemented that limit purchases of marketable securities to investment grade securities. Substantially all service revenues for Product Development and Integrated Healthcare Services are earned by performing services under contracts with various pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and healthcare companies. The concentration of credit risk is equal to the outstanding accounts receivable and unbilled services balances, less the unearned income related thereto, and such risk is subject to the financial and industry conditions of the Company’s customers. The Company does not require collateral or other securities to support customer receivables. Credit losses have been immaterial and reasonably within management’s expectations. No customer accounted for 10.0% or more of consolidated service revenues in 2013, 2012 or 2011.
	Research and Development Costs
	Research and development costs consist primarily of employee compensation and related expenses and information technology contract services. The following is a summary of the research and development expenses (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012		2011
	Internally developed software applications and computer technology	$	3,955		$	9,907	$	9,447
	Funding of customer’s research and development activity		1,000			—		—
	Collaboration agreement with HUYA		—			519		539
		$	4,955		$	10,426	$	9,986
	In January 2010, the Company entered into a collaboration agreement with a related party, HUYA Bioscience International, LLC (“HUYA”), to fund up to $2.3 million of its research and development activity for a specific compound. The funding consisted of $1.0 million in cash which was paid and expensed in 2010 and $1.3 million of services provided by the Company, which have been fully provided. In return for the $2.3 million in funding, the Company has the potential to receive additional consideration which contractually may not exceed $16.5 million excluding interest if certain events were to occur.
	Advertising Costs
Advertising costs, which include the development and production of advertising materials and the communication of these materials, are charged to expense as incurred. The Company incurred approximately $14.8 million, $14.5 million and $13.2 million in advertising expense in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Restructuring Costs
Restructuring costs, which primarily include termination benefits and facility closure costs, are recorded at estimated fair value. Key assumptions in determining the restructuring costs include the terms and payments that may be negotiated to terminate certain contractual obligations and the timing of employees leaving the Company.
Contingencies
The Company records accruals for claims, suits, investigations and proceedings when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company reviews claims, suits, investigations and proceedings at least quarterly and records or adjusts accruals related to such matters to reflect the impact and status of any settlements, rulings, advice of counsel or other information pertinent to a particular matter. Legal costs associated with contingencies are charged to expense as incurred.
The Company is party to legal proceedings incidental to its business. While the outcome of these matters could differ from management’s expectations, the Company does not believe the resolution of these matters has a reasonable possibility of having a material adverse effect to the Company’s financial statements.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense includes United States federal, state and international income taxes. Certain items of income and expense are not reported in income tax returns and financial statements in the same year. The income tax effects of these differences are reported as deferred income taxes. Valuation allowances are provided to reduce the related deferred income tax assets to an amount which will, more likely than not, be realized. Beginning in 2013, the undistributed earnings of most of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are considered to be indefinitely reinvested outside of the United States. Accordingly, a deferred income tax liability has not been provided related to those undistributed earnings. Interest and penalties related to unrecognized income tax benefits are recognized as a component of income tax expense as discussed further in Note 17.
Employee Stock Compensation
The Company accounts for share-based compensation for stock options and stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) under the fair value method and uses the Black-Scholes-Merton model to estimate the value of such share-based awards granted to its employees and non-executive directors using the assumptions noted in the following table. Expected volatility is based upon the historical volatility of a peer group for a period equal to the expected term, as the Company does not have adequate history to calculate its own volatility and believes the expected volatility will approximate the historical volatility of the peer group. Prior to the IPO, the expected dividends were based on the historical dividends paid by the Company, excluding dividends that resulted from activities that the Company deemed to be one-time in nature. Following the IPO, the Company does not currently anticipate paying dividends. The expected term represents the period of time the grants are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free interest rate is based on the United States Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant.
	Year Ended December 31,
	2013		2012	2011
Expected volatility	18 – 47%		33 – 53%	40 – 53%
Weighted average expected volatility	40%		40%	42%
Expected dividends	0.0 – 5.45%		4.82%	4.10%
Expected term (in years)	0.25 – 6.4		2.0 – 7.0	2.7 – 6.7
Risk-free interest rate	0.04 – 2.24%		0.29 – 1.31%	0.30 – 2.995%
The Company accounts for its share-based compensation for restricted stock units (“RSUs”) based on the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.
The Company recognized share-based compensation expense as follows (in thousands):
	Year Ended December 31,
	2013			2012		2011
Share-based compensation expense	$	22,826		$	25,926	$	14,130
Share-based compensation expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the accompanying consolidated statements of income based upon the classification of the employees who were granted the share-based awards. The associated future income tax benefit recognized was $8.1 million, $6.9 million and $4.2 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, there was approximately $36.6 million of total unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to outstanding non-vested share-based compensation arrangements, which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted average period of 1.75 years.
Earnings Per Share
The calculation of earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares or common stock equivalents outstanding during the applicable period. The dilutive effect of common stock equivalents is excluded from basic earnings per share and is included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share. Potentially dilutive securities include outstanding stock options, shares to be purchased under the Company’s employee stock purchase plan (see Note 18) and unvested RSUs.

Accounts_Receivable_and_Unbill

Accounts Receivable and Unbilled Services	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Accounts Receivable and Unbilled Services	'
	2. Accounts Receivable and Unbilled Services
	Accounts receivable and unbilled services consist of the following (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Trade:
	Billed	$	408,959		$	346,732
	Unbilled services		516,942			400,610
			925,901			747,342
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		(1,696	)		(1,969	)
		$	924,205		$	745,373
	Substantially all of the Company’s trade accounts receivable and unbilled services are due from companies in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and healthcare industries and are a result of contract research, sales, marketing, healthcare consulting and health information management services provided by the Company on a global basis. The percentage of accounts receivable and unbilled services by region is as follows:
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Americas:
	United States		53	%		51	%
	Other		2			2
	Americas		55			53
	Europe and Africa:
	United Kingdom		25			26
	Other		12			12
	Europe and Africa		37			38
	Asia-Pacific:
	Japan		4			5
	Other		4			4
	Asia-Pacific		8			9
			100	%		100	%

Investments_Debt_Equity_and_Ot

Investments - Debt, Equity and Other Securities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Investments - Debt, Equity and Other Securities	'
	3. Investments – Debt, Equity and Other Securities
	The following is a summary of the Company’s debt, equity and other securities (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Marketable securities	$	7,668	$	2,427
	Cost method		32,681		33,524
		$	40,349	$	35,951
	Investments in Marketable Securities:
	The following is a summary of available-for-sale securities (in thousands):
		December 31, 2013						December 31, 2012
	Available-for-Sale Securities	Amortized Cost		Gross		Market Value		Amortized Cost		Gross		Market Value
				Unrealized						Unrealized
				Gains						Gains
	Marketable equity	$	1,960	$	5,708	$	7,668	$	1,960	$	467	$	2,427
	The Company did not recognize any gains or losses from the sale of marketable equity securities in 2013, 2012 and 2011.
	The net after-tax adjustment to unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities included in the accumulated other comprehensive income component of shareholders’ deficit was $3.5 million, $284,000 and ($117,000) in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	The Company’s policy is to continually review declines in fair value of marketable equity securities for declines that may be other than temporary. As part of this review, the Company considers the financial statements of the investee, analysts’ reports, duration of the decline in fair value and general market factors. The Company did not recognize any such losses in 2013, 2012 and 2011. No securities were in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2013.
	Investments – Cost Method
	The Company has investments in equity securities of companies for which there are not readily available market values and for which the Company does not exercise significant influence or control. These investments are accounted for using the cost method. Below is a summary of the Company’s portfolio of cost method investments (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Venture capital funds	$	—	$	64
	Equity investments		32,516		33,298
	Convertible note		165		162
		$	32,681	$	33,524
	On February 25, 2011, the Company and the Samsung Group entered into an agreement to form a joint venture intended to provide biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing services in South Korea. The Company committed to invest up to $30.0 million for a noncontrolling interest and has funded all of this commitment. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company has a 5.1% and 10.0%, respectively, ownership interest in the joint venture.
	In December 2011, the Company and Intarcia Therapeutics (“Intarcia”) entered into an alliance to develop a new therapy for type 2 diabetes whereby Intarcia will use the Company to conduct Phase III pivotal trials and a cardiovascular outcomes trial. Under the alliance, the Company provided Intarcia a customer incentive of $12.5 million and acquired $5.0 million of preferred stock of Intarcia. The customer incentive is being amortized in proportion to the revenues earned as a reduction of revenue recorded under the service arrangements. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the customer incentive of $10.7 million and $11.9 million, respectively, was recorded in deposits and other assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The $5.0 million investment in preferred stock of Intarcia is recorded in “investments — debt, equity and other securities” on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
	The Company reviews the carrying value of each individual investment at each balance sheet date to determine whether or not an other-than-temporary decline in fair value has occurred. The Company employs alternative valuation techniques including the following: (i) the review of financial statements including assessments of liquidity, (ii) the review of valuations available to the Company prepared by independent third parties used in raising capital, (iii) the review of publicly available information including press releases and (iv) direct communications with the investee’s management, as appropriate. If the review indicates that such a decline in fair value has occurred, the Company adjusts the carrying value to the estimated fair value of the investment and recognizes a loss for the amount of the adjustment. The Company recognized $145,000 of losses due to such impairments in 2011 relating to a non-marketable equity security. This loss was primarily due to the declining financial condition of the investee that was deemed by management to be other than temporary.

Investments_in_and_Advances_to

Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Affiliates	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates Schedule Of Investments [Abstract]	'
Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Affiliates	'
	4. Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Affiliates
	The Company accounts for its investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates under the equity method of accounting and records its pro rata share of its losses or earnings from these investments in equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated affiliates. The following is a summary of the Company’s investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2013		2012
	NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund III, L.P. (the “Fund”)	$	11,792	$	10,617
	Oxford Cancer Biomarkers		4,141		4,497
	Cenduit™		6,431		3,479
	Other		563		555
		$	22,927	$	19,148
	NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund III, L.P.
	In November 2010, the Company committed to invest up to $60 million as a limited partner in a private equity fund (“the Fund”). In November 2013, the Company sold $10.0 million of its commitment, thus, reducing its total commitment to $50.0 million. The Company had funded approximately $2.9 million of this commitment which had a carrying value of approximately $2.2 million. The Company received approximately $2.3 million for the funded portion of the commitment it sold. As of December 31, 2013, the Company has approximately $34.2 million of remaining funding commitments to the Fund. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company has a 10.9% and 13.9%, respectively, ownership interest in the Fund.
	Oxford Cancer Biomarkers
	In January 2012, the Company invested approximately $4.7 million in Oxford Cancer Biomarkers. The Company has a 30.0% ownership interest in Oxford Cancer Biomarkers.
	Cenduit™
	In May 2007, the Company and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (“Thermo Fisher”) completed the formation of a joint venture, Cenduit™. The Company contributed its Interactive Response Technology operations in India and the United States. Thermo Fisher contributed its Fisher Clinical Services Interactive Response Technology operations in three locations — the United Kingdom, the United States and Switzerland. Additionally, each company contributed $3.5 million in initial capital. The Company and Thermo Fisher each own 50% of Cenduit™.
	HUYA
	In May 2009, the Company acquired a 10% interest in HUYA for $5.0 million. On November 29, 2011, the Company sold its investment in HUYA to PharmaBio for approximately $5.0 million and recorded a gain on the sale of approximately $949,000, which is included in equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates on the accompanying consolidated statement of income.
	Invida Pharmaceutical Holdings Pte. Ltd.
	In April 2006, the Company, TLS Beta Pte. Ltd. (“TLS”), a Singapore company and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited (“Temasek Holdings”) and PharmaCo Investments Ltd (“PharmaCo,” and together with the Company and TLS, the “JV Partners”), a company incorporated in Labuan, Malaysia and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Interpharma Asia Pacific, completed the formation of a joint venture to commercialize biopharmaceutical products in the Asia-Pacific region (the “Joint Venture”). Temasek Holdings is a beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Company’s common stock. The JV Partners conduct the Joint Venture through Invida. As part of this arrangement, the Company became a 33.33% shareholder of Invida. In November 2011, the Company sold its investment in Invida for approximately $103.6 million in net proceeds and recognized a gain on the sale of approximately $74.9 million which is included in equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates on the accompanying consolidated statement of income.

Derivatives

Derivatives	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivatives	'
	5. Derivatives
	As of December 31, 2013, the Company held the following derivative positions: (i) freestanding warrants to purchase shares of common stock of a third party, (ii) forward exchange contracts to protect against foreign exchange movements for certain forecasted foreign currency cash flows related to service contracts and (iii) interest rate swaps to hedge the exposure to variability in interest payments on variable interest rate debt. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes.
	As of December 31, 2013, the Company had freestanding warrants to purchase shares of third parties’ common stock. No quoted price is available for the warrants. Accordingly, the Company uses various valuation techniques to value the warrants, including the present value of estimated expected future cash flows, option-pricing models and fundamental analysis. Factors affecting the valuation include the current price of the underlying common stock, the exercise price of the warrants, the expected time to exercise the warrants, the estimated price volatility of the underlying common stock over the life of the warrants and the restrictions on the transferability of or ability to exercise the warrants. The Company recognized investment gains (losses) of $182,000, $17,000 and ($28,000) in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, related to the warrants. The Company did not sell any warrants in 2013, 2012 or 2011.
	As of December 31, 2013, the Company had 12 open foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge certain forecasted foreign currency cash flow transactions occurring in 2014 with notional amounts totaling $60.8 million. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had 12 open foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge certain forecasted foreign currency transactions which occurred in 2013 with notional amounts totaling $38.9 million. As these contracts were entered into to hedge the risk of the potential volatility in the cash flows resulting from fluctuations in currency exchange rates in the first nine months of 2014, these transactions are accounted for as cash flow hedges. As such, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the contracts is recorded as unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives included in the accumulated other comprehensive income component of shareholders’ deficit. These hedges are highly effective. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had recorded gross unrealized gains related to foreign exchange forward contracts of approximately $3.95 million and $465,000, respectively. No gross unrealized losses were recorded as of December 31, 2013 and 2012. Upon expiration of the hedge instruments in 2014, the Company will reclassify the unrealized holding gains and losses on the derivative instruments included in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income into earnings. The unrealized gains are included in other current assets and the unrealized losses are included in other current liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	As of December 31, 2011, the Company, through its acquired subsidiary, Outcome Sciences, Inc. (“Outcome”), had open foreign exchange forward contracts to protect against the effects of foreign currency fluctuations on certain foreign currency cash flow transactions occurring in 2012. The derivative instruments that matured in 2012 and 2011 had not been designated as hedges and, as a result, changes in the fair value were recorded as other (income) expense, net. The Company recognized $588,000 and $177,000 of losses related to these foreign exchange forward contracts as other (income) expense, net on the accompanying consolidated statement of income for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. All of these contracts matured in 2012.
	In April 2006, the Company entered into six interest rate swaps expiring between December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2012 in an effort to limit its exposure to changes in the variable interest rate on its then-existing senior secured credit facilities. In June 2011, in conjunction with the debt refinancing described in Note 10, the Company discontinued hedge accounting and paid $11.6 million to terminate the remaining open interest rate swaps, which had a combined notional amount of approximately $179 million. The Company discontinued hedge accounting because it became probable that the original forecasted transactions would not occur due to the terms under the Company’s credit arrangements. As a result, the Company reclassified the derivative losses of $11.6 million previously reported in accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings as part of other (income) expense, net on the accompanying consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2011.
	On June 9, 2011, the Company entered into six interest rate swaps effective September 28, 2012 and expiring between September 30, 2013 and March 31, 2016 in an effort to limit its exposure to changes in the variable interest rate on its senior secured credit facilities. The critical terms of the interest rate swaps were substantially the same as those of the Company’s senior secured credit facilities, including quarterly interest settlements. These interest rate swaps are being accounted for as cash flow hedges as these transactions were entered into to hedge the Company’s interest payments, and these hedges are deemed to be highly effective. As such, changes in the fair value of these derivative instruments are recorded as unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives included in the accumulated other comprehensive income component of shareholders’ deficit. At December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the unrealized losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income were $24.8 million and $34.0 million, respectively. The fair value of these interest rate swaps represents the present value of the anticipated net payments the Company will make to the counterparty, which, when they occur, are reflected as interest expense on the consolidated statements of income. These payments, together with the variable rate of interest incurred on the underlying debt, result in a fixed rate of interest of 2.55% plus the applicable margin on the affected borrowings ($945.0 million or 45.9% of the Company’s variable rate debt at December 31, 2013). The Company expects that $12.5 million of unrealized losses will be reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income and will form the interest rate swap component of the 2.55% fixed rate of interest incurred over the next 12 months as the underlying net payments are settled.
	The fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments designated as hedging instruments and the line items on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets to which they were recorded are summarized in the following table (in thousands):
				December 31,
		Balance Sheet Classification		2013				2012
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	Other current assets		$	3,950			$	465
	Interest rate swaps	Other current liabilities		$	24,805			$	34,007
	The fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments and the line items on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets to which they were recorded are summarized in the following table (in thousands):
				December 31,
		Balance Sheet Classification		2013				2012
	Warrants	Deposits and other assets		$	211			$	29
	The effect of the Company’s cash flow hedging instruments on other comprehensive income (loss) is summarized in the following table (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013				2012				2011
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	3,485			$	2,327			$	(1,867	)
	Interest rate swaps		9,202				(9,524	)			(10,270	)
	Total	$	12,687			$	(7,197	)		$	(12,137	)
	(Gains) losses from derivative instruments not designated as hedges impacting the Company’s consolidated statements of income are summarized below (in thousands):
				Year Ended December 31,
		Income Statement Classification		2013				2012				2011
	Warrants	Other (income) expense, net		$	(182	)		$	(17	)		$	28
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	Other (income) expense, net			—				588				177
	Total			$	(182	)		$	571			$	205

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	6. Fair Value Measurements
	The Company records certain assets and liabilities at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value is described below. This hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:
		•		Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
		•		Level 2 — Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
		•		Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.
	Recurring Fair Value Measurements
	The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3			Total
	Assets:
	Marketable equity securities		$	7,668	$	—	$	—		$	7,668
	Foreign exchange forward contracts			—		3,950		—			3,950
	Warrants			—		—		211			211
	Total		$	7,668	$	3,950	$	211		$	11,829
	Liabilities:
	Interest rate swaps		$	—	$	24,805	$	—		$	24,805
	Contingent consideration			—		—		13,014			13,014
	Total		$	—	$	24,805	$	13,014		$	37,819
	The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3			Total
	Assets:
	Marketable equity securities		$	2,427	$	—	$	—		$	2,427
	Foreign exchange forward contracts			—		465		—			465
	Warrants			—		—		29			29
	Total		$	2,427	$	465	$	29		$	2,921
	Liabilities:
	Interest rate swaps		$	—	$	34,007	$	—		$	34,007
	Contingent consideration			—		—		3,521			3,521
	Total		$	—	$	34,007	$	3,521		$	37,528
	Below is a summary of the valuation techniques used in determining fair value:
	Marketable equity securities — The Company values marketable equity securities utilizing quoted market prices for these securities.
	Warrants — The Company values warrants utilizing the Black-Scholes-Merton model.
	Foreign exchange forward contracts — The Company values foreign exchange forward contracts using quoted market prices for identical instruments in less active markets or using other observable inputs.
	Interest rate swaps — The Company values interest rate swaps using market inputs with mid-market pricing as a practical expedient for bid-ask spread.
	Contingent consideration — The Company values contingent consideration related to business combinations using a weighted probability calculation of potential payment scenarios discounted at rates reflective of the risks associated with the expected future cash flows. Key assumptions used to estimate the fair value of contingent consideration include revenue, net new business and operating forecasts and the probability of achieving the specific targets.
	The following table summarizes the changes in Level 3 financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis for the year ended December 31 (in thousands):
			Warrants –							Contingent Consideration –
			Deposits and Other Assets							Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities
			2013		2012		2011			2013			2012			2011
	Balance as of January 1		$	29	$	12	$	—		$	3,521		$	6,165		$	—
	Purchases and issuances			—		—		40			—			—			—
	Initial estimate of contingent consideration			—		—		—			14,300			1,990			6,165
	Revaluations included in earnings			182		17		(28	)		(4,807	)		(4,634	)		—
	Balance as of December 31		$	211	$	29	$	12		$	13,014		$	3,521		$	6,165
	The revaluations for the warrants and the contingent consideration are recognized in other (income) expense, net on the accompanying consolidated statements of income.
	Non-recurring Fair Value Measurements
	Certain assets are carried on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at cost and are not remeasured to fair value on a recurring basis. These assets include cost and equity method investments and loans that are written down to fair value for declines which are deemed to be other-than-temporary, definite-lived intangible assets which are tested when a triggering event occurs, and goodwill and identifiable indefinite-lived intangible assets which are tested for impairment annually and when a triggering event occurs.
	As of December 31, 2013, assets carried on the balance sheet and not remeasured to fair value on a recurring basis totaling approximately $763.3 million were identified as Level 3. These assets are comprised of cost and equity method investments of $55.6 million, goodwill of $409.6 million and identifiable intangible assets of $298.1 million.
	The Company has unfunded cash commitments totaling approximately $34.2 million related to its cost and equity method investments as of December 31, 2013.
	Cost and Equity Method Investments — The inputs available for valuing investments in non-public portfolio companies are generally not easily observable. The valuation of non-public investments requires significant judgment by the Company due to the absence of quoted market values, inherent lack of liquidity and the long-term nature of such assets. When a triggering event occurs, the Company considers a wide range of available market data when assessing the estimated fair value. Such market data includes observations of the trading multiples of public companies considered comparable to the private companies being valued as well as publicly disclosed merger transactions involving comparable private companies. In addition, valuations are adjusted to account for company-specific issues, the lack of liquidity inherent in a non-public investment and the fact that comparable public companies are not identical to the companies being valued. Such valuation adjustments are necessary because in the absence of a committed buyer and completion of due diligence similar to that performed in an actual negotiated sale process, there may be company-specific issues that are not fully known that may affect value. Further, a variety of additional factors are reviewed by the Company, including, but not limited to, financing and sales transactions with third parties, current operating performance and future expectations of the particular investment, changes in market outlook and the third party financing environment. Because of the inherent uncertainty of valuations, estimated valuations may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market for the securities existed, and the differences could be material.
	Goodwill — Goodwill represents the difference between the purchase price and the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible net assets resulting from business combinations. The Company performs a qualitative analysis to determine whether it is more likely than not that the estimated fair value of a reporting unit is less than its book value. This includes a qualitative analysis of macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, internal cost factors, financial performance, fair value history and other company specific events. If this qualitative analysis indicates that it is more likely than not that the estimated fair value is less than the book value for the respective reporting unit, the Company applies a two-step impairment test in which the Company determines whether the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is in excess of its carrying value. If the carrying value of the net assets assigned to the reporting unit exceeds the estimated fair value of the reporting unit, the Company performs the second step of the impairment test to determine the implied estimated fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. The Company determines the implied estimated fair value of goodwill by determining the present value of the estimated future cash flows for each reporting unit and comparing the reporting unit’s risk profile and growth prospects to selected, reasonably similar publicly traded companies. No indication of impairment was identified during the Company’s annual review.
	Definite-lived Intangible Assets — If a triggering event occurs, the Company determines the estimated fair value of definite-lived intangible assets by determining the present value of the expected cash flows.
	Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets —The Company performs a qualitative analysis to determine whether it is more likely than not that the estimated fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying value. If this qualitative analysis indicates that it is more likely than not that the estimated fair value is less than the carrying value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset, the Company determines the estimated fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset (trade name) by determining the present value of the estimated royalty payments on an after-tax basis that it would be required to pay the owner for the right to use such trade name. If the carrying amount exceeds the estimated fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess. No indication of impairment was identified during the Company’s annual review.

Property_and_Equipment

Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property and Equipment	'
	7. Property and Equipment
	The major classes of property and equipment were as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Land, buildings and leasehold improvements	$	184,726		$	182,548
	Equipment		222,858			197,384
	Furniture and fixtures		55,741			52,498
	Motor vehicles		17,801			19,035
			481,126			451,465
	Less accumulated depreciation		(281,548	)		(257,466	)
		$	199,578		$	193,999

Goodwill_and_Identifiable_Inta

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets	'
	8. Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets
	As of December 31, 2013, the Company has approximately $298.1 million of identifiable intangible assets, of which approximately $109.7 million, relating to a trade name, is deemed to be indefinite-lived and, accordingly, is not being amortized. Amortization expense associated with identifiable definite-lived intangible assets was as follows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Amortization expense	$	51,450		$	46,440		$	35,549
	Estimated amortization expense for existing identifiable intangible assets is expected to be approximately $57.3 million, $46.9 million, $32.3 million, $21.3 million and $12.6 million for the years ending December 31, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively. Estimated amortization expense can be affected by various factors, including future acquisitions or divestitures of product and/or licensing and distribution rights or impairments.
	The following is a summary of identifiable intangible assets (in thousands):
		As of December 31, 2013									As of December 31, 2012
		Gross			Accumulated			Net			Gross		Accumulated			Net
		Amount			Amortization			Amount			Amount		Amortization			Amount
	Definite-lived identifiable intangible assets:
	Product licensing and distribution rights and customer relationships	$	115,895		$	(35,027	)	$	80,868		$	83,273	$	(21,553	)	$	61,720
	Trademarks, trade names and other		52,053			(37,450	)		14,603			44,263		(32,870	)		11,393
	Software and related assets		232,468			(139,561	)		92,907			201,800		(111,776	)		90,024
		$	400,416		$	(212,038	)	$	188,378		$	329,336	$	(166,199	)	$	163,137
	Indefinite-lived identifiable intangible assets:
	Trade name	$	109,676		$	—		$	109,676		$	109,676	$	—		$	109,676
	Accumulated amortization of identifiable intangible assets includes the impact of amortization expense, foreign exchange fluctuations and disposals of software and related assets.
	The following is a summary of goodwill by segment for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
		Product			Integrated			Consolidated
		Development			Healthcare
					Services
	Balance as of December 31, 2011	$	216,264		$	61,777		$	278,041
	Acquisition		28,201			—			28,201
	Reallocation between segments		(5,800	)		5,800			—
	Impact of foreign currency fluctuations		(908	)		(2,905	)		(3,813	)
	Balance as of December 31, 2012		237,757			64,672			302,429
	Acquisition		116,542			—			116,542
	Impact of foreign currency fluctuations		(3,155	)		(6,190	)		(9,345	)
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	351,144		$	58,482		$	409,626
	In September 2012, the Company reorganized its reporting structure. This change resulted in moving the Company’s real-world and late phase research service line from the Product Development segment to the Integrated Healthcare Services segment. The Company reallocated goodwill based upon the relative estimated fair value of the affected service line to the pre-reorganization reporting unit estimated fair value, which resulted in the allocation of approximately $5.8 million of goodwill from Product Development to Integrated Healthcare Services.

Accrued_Expenses

Accrued Expenses	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]	'
Accrued Expenses	'
	9. Accrued Expenses
	Accrued expenses consist of the following (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Compensation, including bonuses, fringe benefits and payroll taxes	$	437,138	$	360,649
	Restructuring		5,474		12,784
	Interest		278		368
	Contract related		240,548		207,982
	Other		77,751		76,336
		$	761,189	$	658,119

Credit_Arrangements

Credit Arrangements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Credit Arrangements	'
	10. Credit Arrangements
	The following is a summary of the Company’s revolving credit facilities at December 31, 2013:
	Facility	Interest Rates
	$300.0 million (first lien revolving credit facility)	One month LIBOR (0.17% at December 31, 2013) plus 2.50% to 2.75% depending upon the Company’s total leverage ratio
	£10.0 million (approximately $16.5 million) general banking facility with a European headquartered bank	Bank’s base rate (0.5% at December 31, 2013) plus 1%
	The Company did not have any outstanding borrowings under any of the revolving credit facilities at December 31, 2013 or 2012. At December 31, 2013, there were bank guarantees totaling approximately £1.8 million (approximately $3.0 million) issued against the availability of the general banking facility with a European headquartered bank through their operations in the United Kingdom.
	Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Term Loan B-3 due 2018 ((the greater of three month LIBOR or 1.25%) plus 2.50%, or 3.75% at December 31, 2013)	$	2,060,756		$	—
	Term Loan B-2 due 2018		—			1,970,000
	Term Loan B-1 due 2018		—			174,563
	7.5% Term Loan due 2017		—			300,000
	Other notes payable		7			43
			2,060,763			2,444,606
	Less: unamortized discount		(14,975	)		(22,908	)
	Less: current portion		(10,307	)		(55,594	)
		$	2,035,481		$	2,366,104
	Contractual maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
	2014	$	10,307
	2015		20,600
	2016		20,600
	2017		20,600
	2018		1,988,656
		$	2,060,763
	The estimated fair value of the long-term debt, which is primarily based on rates in which the debt is traded among banks, was approximately $2.1 billion and $2.5 billion at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Senior Secured Credit Agreement
	2011 Refinancing Transaction
	On June 8, 2011, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Quintiles Transnational Corp. (“Quintiles Transnational”), entered into the initial credit agreement governing the Quintiles Transnational senior secured credit facilities under which the Company was permitted to borrow up to $2.225 billion. The credit facility arrangements were amended in October 2012, December 2012 and December 2013, as described below, and initially consisted of two components: a $225.0 million first lien revolving credit facility due in 2016 and a $2.0 billion first lien Term Loan B (the “Term Loan B”) (collectively, the “2011 Senior Debt”).
	The Company used the proceeds from the Term Loan B, together with cash on hand, to (i) repay the outstanding balance on the Company’s then-existing senior secured credit facilities which included a $1.0 billion first lien term loan due in 2013 and a $220.0 million second lien term loan due in 2014, (ii) pay the purchase price for the Company’s then-existing senior notes accepted in the tender offer, (iii) redeem the senior notes remaining outstanding following completion of the tender offer (collectively, the “Prior Senior Debt”), (iv) pay a dividend to its shareholders totaling approximately $288.3 million, (v) pay a bonus to certain option holders totaling approximately $11.0 million and (vi) pay related fees and expenses.
	In 2011, the Company recognized a $46.4 million loss on extinguishment of debt which included approximately $14.1 million of prepayment premiums, approximately $15.2 million of unamortized debt issuance costs, approximately $7.5 million of unamortized discount and approximately $9.6 million of related fees and expenses.
	October 2012 Debt Issuance
	On October 22, 2012, the Company entered into an amendment to the credit agreement to provide (i) a new Term Loan B-1 (the “Term Loan B-1”) with a syndicate of banks for an aggregate principal amount of $175.0 million due 2018, (ii) a one-year extension of the maturity date of its existing $225.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility (to 2017) and (iii) a $75.0 million increase in its existing $225.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Increased Revolving Facility”), which will also mature in 2017. Annual maturities on the Term Loan B-1 were 1% of the original principal amount until December 31, 2017, with the balance of the Term Loan B-1 to be repaid at final maturity on June 8, 2018. In the fourth quarter of 2012, the proceeds from the Term Loan B-1, together with approximately $73 million of cash on hand, were used to (i) pay a dividend to the Company’s shareholders totaling approximately $241.7 million, (ii) pay a bonus to certain option holders totaling approximately $2.4 million and (iii) pay approximately $4.0 million of fees and related expenses. Other terms and covenants of the Term Loan B-1 and the Increased Revolving Facility were and are the same as the terms and covenants of the Company’s Term Loan B and the senior secured revolving credit facility prior to the amendment.
	In May 2013, the Company used $50.0 million of cash to pay down indebtedness under the Term Loan B-1. In connection with the pay down of indebtedness, the Company recognized a $1.0 million loss on extinguishment of debt which included approximately $930,000 of unamortized debt issuance costs and $112,000 of unamortized discount.
	On December 20, 2013, the Term Loan B-1 was repaid with the proceeds of a new Term Loan B-3 (see below).
	2012 Refinancing Transaction
	On December 20, 2012, the Company entered into an amendment to the credit agreement to provide a new Term Loan B-2 (the “Term Loan B-2”) with a syndicate of banks for an aggregate principal amount of $1.975 billion due in 2018. Annual maturities on the Term Loan B-2 were $20.0 million through December 31, 2017 with the balance of the Term Loan B-2 to be repaid at final maturity on June 8, 2018. Other terms and covenants of the Term Loan B-2 were the same as the terms and covenants of our Term Loan B prior to the amendment.
	The Company used the proceeds from the Term Loan B-2, together with cash on hand, to repay the remaining outstanding balance on the Company’s then-existing Term Loan B and related fees and expenses. In 2012, the Company recognized a $1.3 million loss on extinguishment of debt which included approximately $634,000 of unamortized debt issuance costs, approximately $631,000 of unamortized discount and approximately $10,000 of related fees and expenses.
	On December 20, 2013, the Term Loan B-2 was repaid with the proceeds of a new Term Loan B-3 (see below).
	2013 Refinancing Transaction
	On December 20, 2013, the Company entered into an amendment to its senior secured credit agreement to provide a new Term Loan B-3 (the “Term Loan B-3”) with a syndicate of banks for an aggregate principal amount of $2.061 billion due in 2018. The proceeds from the Term Loan B-3 were used to repay the then outstanding balances of the Term Loan B-1 and Term Loan B-2 and related fees and expenses. Quarterly principal payments on the Term Loan B-3 are $5.15 million, commencing on September 30, 2014 and continuing through March 31, 2018, with the balance of the Term Loan B-3 to be repaid at final maturity on June 8, 2018. The credit facility arrangements are collateralized by substantially all of the assets of Quintiles Transnational and the assets of Quintiles Transnational’s domestic subsidiaries, including 100% of the equity interests of substantially all of Quintiles Transnational’s domestic subsidiaries, and 65% of the equity interests of substantially all of the first-tier foreign subsidiaries of Quintiles Transnational and its domestic subsidiaries (in each case other than certain excluded subsidiaries as defined in the credit agreement). Beginning with fiscal year ending December 31, 2014, the Company is required to apply 50% of excess cash flow (as defined in the credit agreement), subject to a reduction to 25% or 0% depending upon Quintiles Transnational’s total leverage ratio, for prepayment of the Term Loan B-3, with any such prepayment to be applied, first, in direct order of maturities, pro rata to reduce the Term Loan B-3 principal payments due within eight quarters of such prepayment, then on a pro rata basis to reduce the other principal payments due prior to the maturity date, and then to reduce the principal payments due on the maturity date. The amendment also provides additional flexibility for the Company to enter into certain securitization financing transactions. Other terms and covenants of the Term Loan B-3 are the same as the terms and covenants of our Term Loan B-1 and Term Loan B-2 prior to the amendment.
	In connection with this amendment to the credit agreement, the Company recognized a $3.3 million loss on extinguishment of debt which included approximately $1.6 million of unamortized debt issuance costs, approximately $1.6 million of unamortized discount and approximately $25,000 of related fees and expenses.
	Other Long-Term Debt
	In February 2012, the Company executed a new term loan facility with a syndicate of banks for an aggregate principal amount of $300.0 million due February 26, 2017 (the “Holdings Term Loan”). The Company used the proceeds from the Holdings Term Loan, together with cash on hand, to (1) pay a dividend to its shareholders in March 2012 totaling approximately $326.1 million, (2) pay a bonus to certain option holders totaling approximately $8.9 million and (3) pay related expenses.
	In May 2013, the Company used $308.9 million of cash to pay all amounts outstanding under the $300.0 million Holdings Term Loan (including accrued interest and related fees and expenses). In connection with the repayment of debt, the Company recognized a $15.5 million loss on extinguishment of debt which included approximately $4.7 million of unamortized debt issuance costs, $4.7 million of unamortized discount and $6.1 million of related fees and expenses.
	Debt Issuance Costs and Covenants
	In connection with the long-term debt agreements, the Company had net debt issuance costs of approximately $12.6 million and $23.6 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, included in deposits and other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The debt issuance costs are being amortized as a component of interest expense using the effective interest method over the term of the related debt arrangements, which range from five years to seven years.
	The Company’s long-term debt agreements contain usual and customary restrictive covenants that, among other things, place limitations on its ability to declare dividends and make other restricted payments; prepay, redeem or purchase debt; incur liens; make loans and investments; incur additional indebtedness; amend or otherwise alter debt and other material documents; engage in mergers, acquisitions and asset sales; transact with affiliates; and engage in businesses that are not related to the Company’s existing business. In 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company believes it was in compliance with its debt covenants.

Leases

Leases	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Leases [Abstract]	'
Leases	'
	11. Leases
	The Company leases facilities under operating leases, many of which contain renewal and escalation clauses. The Company also leases certain equipment under operating leases. The leases expire at various dates through 2029 with options to cancel certain leases at various intervals. Rental expenses under these agreements were $125.6 million, $117.6 million and $124.5 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company leases certain assets, primarily vehicles, under capital leases. Capital lease amortization is included with costs of revenues and accumulated depreciation on the accompanying financial statements.
	The following is a summary of future minimum payments under capital and operating leases that have initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year at December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		Capital			Operating
		Leases			Leases
	2014	$	132		$	98,154
	2015		90			75,997
	2016		16			61,752
	2017		—			47,036
	2018		—			31,979
	Thereafter		—			99,320
	Total minimum lease payments		238		$	414,238
	Amounts representing interest		(7	)
	Present value of net minimum payments		231
	Current portion		(126	)
	Long-term capital lease obligations	$	105

Shareholders_Deficit

Shareholders' Deficit	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Shareholders' Deficit	'
	12. Shareholders’ Deficit
	Preferred Stock
	The Company is authorized to issue 1.0 million shares of preferred stock, $0.01 per share par value. No shares of preferred stock were issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2013 or 2012.
	Equity Repurchase Program
	On October 30, 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) approved an equity repurchase program authorizing the repurchase of up to $125.0 million of either the Company’s common stock or vested in-the-money employee stock options, or a combination thereof. The Company has used and intends to continue to use cash on hand to fund the equity repurchase program. The equity repurchase program does not obligate the Company to repurchase any particular amount of common stock or vested in-the-money employee stock options, and it could be modified, suspended or discontinued at any time. The timing and amount of repurchases are determined by the Company’s management based on a variety of factors such as the market price of the Company’s common stock, the Company’s corporate requirements, and overall market conditions. Purchases of the Company’s common stock may be made in open market transactions effected through a broker-dealer at prevailing market prices, in block trades, or in privately negotiated transactions. The Company may also repurchase shares of its common stock pursuant to a trading plan meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, which would permit shares of the Company’s common stock to be repurchased when the Company might otherwise be precluded from doing so by law. Repurchases of vested in-the-money employee stock options were made through transactions between the Company and its employees (other than its executive officers, who were not eligible to participate in the program), and this aspect of the equity repurchase program expired in November 2013. The equity repurchase program for common stock does not have an end date.
	In 2013, repurchases under the equity repurchase program resulted in a $65.5 million charge to equity consisting of (i) the repurchase of approximately 153,200 shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $6.4 million (representing an average price per share of $42.01), and (ii) the repurchase of 2.0 million vested in-the-money employee stock options at fair value for an aggregate purchase price of $59.1 million (representing an average market price per share of $43.42 and an average exercise price per option of $13.74). As of December 31, 2013, $59.5 million is available for repurchase under the equity repurchase program.
	Dividends
	In October 2012, the Board declared a $2.09 per share dividend to shareholders of record on October 24, 2012. The dividend totaled approximately $241.7 million and was paid on November 1, 2012.
	In February 2012, the Board declared a $2.82 per share dividend to shareholders of record on February 29, 2012. The dividend totaled approximately $326.1 million and was paid on March 9, 2012.
	In June 2011, the Board declared a $2.48 per share dividend to shareholders of record on June 7, 2011. The dividend totaled approximately $288.3 million and was paid on June 10, 2011.

Management_Fees

Management Fees	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Management Fees	'
	13. Management Fees
	In January 2008, pursuant to a management agreement with affiliates of certain of the Company’s shareholders, the Company agreed to pay an annual management service fee of $5.0 million in the aggregate to (i) GF Management Company, LLC (“GFM”); (ii) Bain Capital Partners, LLC; (iii) TPG Capital, LP; (iv) 3i Corporation; (v) Cassia Fund Management Pte Ltd; and (vi) Aisling Capital, LLC (“Aisling Capital”). Of this amount, Aisling Capital received $150,000 annually for so long as the Company’s Investment Committee included a member nominated by Aisling Capital. The remaining approximately $4.9 million of the annual management service fee was paid to the other managers each year, in advance and in equal quarterly installments, in proportion to each manager’s (or such manager’s affiliates’) respective share ownership in the Company. The annual management service fee was subject to upward adjustment each year effective as of March 31 based on any increase in the Consumer Price Index for the preceding calendar year. The initial term of the management agreement extended through December 31, 2010, after which it automatically renewed for an additional year unless written notice was provided or other conditions were met. In 2013, the management agreement was terminated, and the Company paid a $25.0 million fee in connection with the termination. In 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company expensed $27.7 million, $5.3 million and $5.2 million, respectively, in management fees under this agreement.

Business_Combinations

Business Combinations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Business Combinations	'
	14. Business Combinations
	Novella Clinical Inc.
	On September 16, 2013, the Company completed the acquisition of Novella Clinical Inc. (“Novella”) through the purchase of 100% of Novella’s outstanding stock for approximately $146.6 million in cash (net of approximately $26.2 million of acquired cash) plus potential annual earn-out payments totaling up to $21.0 million contingent upon the achievement of certain revenue and net new business targets for approximately three years following closing. The Company initially recognized a liability of approximately $14.3 million as the estimated acquisition date fair value of the earn-out. Changes in the fair value of the earn-out subsequent to the acquisition date are recognized in earnings in the period of the change. Goodwill was primarily attributable to the assembled workforce of Novella and expected synergies. Novella has operations primarily in the United States and Europe and is a clinical research organization focused primarily on emerging oncology customers as well as those in the medical device and diagnostics sectors. As part of its Product Development segment, the Company expects that Novella will complement its clinical service offerings through its focus on emerging companies and by adding expertise in oncology and medical devices.
	Expression Analysis, Inc.
	On August 10, 2012, the Company completed the acquisition of Expression Analysis, Inc. (“EA”) through the purchase of 100% of EA’s outstanding stock for $39.7 million in cash and contingent consideration in the form of a potential earn-out payment of up to $3.5 million. The earn-out payment is contingent upon the achievement of certain revenue and earnings targets during the 24 month period following closing. The Company initially recognized a liability of approximately $2.0 million as the estimated acquisition date fair value of the earn-out. Changes in the fair value of the earn-out subsequent to the acquisition date are recognized in earnings in the period of the change. EA, based in the United States, provides genomic sequencing, gene expression, genotyping and bioinformatics services to biopharmaceutical companies, diagnostic test developers, government agencies and academic laboratories. The Company acquired EA to complement its current laboratory services by adding expertise in genetic sequencing and advanced bioinformatics.
	Advion BioServices, Inc.
	On November 4, 2011, the Company completed the acquisition of Advion BioServices, Inc. (“Advion”) effected through a merger for $54.9 million in cash and contingent consideration in the form of a potential earn-out payment. The earn-out payment, capped at $5.0 million, was contingent upon the achievement of certain earnings targets in 2012. The Company initially recognized a liability of approximately $1.5 million as the estimated acquisition date fair value of the earn-out. Advion is a bioanalytical laboratory based in the United States providing good laboratory practice, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (“PK/PD”) testing and other services. The Company acquired Advion to move into emerging and fast-growing market segments including biomarkers and other advanced testing segments by offering services such as biomarker discovery and testing, molecular screening, drug discovery and metabolism, immunoassay, plus broaden its laboratory services offerings to include PK/PD testing.
	Outcome Sciences, Inc.
	On October 19, 2011, the Company completed the acquisition of Outcome through the purchase of 100% of Outcome’s outstanding stock and cancellation of all of Outcome’s outstanding stock options for approximately $164.9 million (net of approximately $12.1 million of acquired cash). Outcome is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts and is a provider of observational research services which encompasses registries, post-approval research and quality improvement initiatives across multiple healthcare stakeholders including biopharmaceutical, medical device, government and providers. The Company acquired Outcome to strengthen its observational and real-world research services by offering global reach, robust dedicated resources and specialization.
	Accounting for Acquisitions
	Acquisitions are accounted for as business combinations and, accordingly, the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed have been recorded at their respective estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. In connection with the following acquisitions, the Company recorded goodwill which was assigned to the Product Development segment and is not deductible for income tax purposes. The pro forma results and the revenues and earnings of the acquired businesses, and acquisition-related expenses, are immaterial for separate disclosure. The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired at the date of the acquisitions (in thousands):
		Novella			EA			Advion			Outcome
	Assets acquired:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	26,190		$	441		$	—		$	12,128
	Accounts receivable and unbilled services		28,644			1,920			6,193			14,076
	Other current assets		1,441			2,952			1,015			5,404
	Property and equipment		9,616			4,731			8,292			2,610
	Goodwill		116,542			28,201			27,995			130,762
	Other identifiable intangibles, net		42,740			9,460			12,120			45,900
	Deferred income tax asset – long-term		—			—			9,468			—
	Other long-term assets		2,203			—			—			480
	Liabilities assumed:
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses		(12,716	)		(3,574	)		(1,731	)		(3,186	)
	Unearned income		(7,782	)		(411	)		(1,077	)		(11,953	)
	Other current liabilities		(132	)		(101	)		(5,583	)		(3,566	)
	Deferred income tax liability – long-term		(18,364	)		(1,707	)		—			(15,635	)
	Other long-term liabilities		(1,334	)		(226	)		(282	)		—
	Net assets acquired	$	187,048		$	41,686		$	56,410		$	177,020
	The identifiable definite-lived intangible assets consisted of the following:
		Novella			EA			Advion			Outcome
	Other identifiable intangibles, net (in thousands)
	Customer relationships	$	20,800		$	9,000		$	9,400		$	27,600
	Acquired backlog		14,000			170			2,500			11,800
	Trade names		7,500			290			170			4,900
	Non-compete agreements		440			—			50			1,600
	Total other identifiable intangibles, net	$	42,740		$	9,460		$	12,120		$	45,900
	Amortized over a weighted average useful life (in years)		7			11			8			9

Restructuring

Restructuring	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Restructuring	'
	15. Restructuring
	2013 Plan
	In February 2013, the Board approved a restructuring plan of up to $15.0 million to migrate the delivery of services, primarily in the Product Development segment, and to reduce anticipated overcapacity in selected areas, primarily in the Integrated Healthcare Services segment. These actions are expected to result in a reduction of approximately 400 positions. Since February 2013, the Company has recognized approximately $14.2 million of restructuring costs related to this plan. All of the restructuring costs are related to severance costs. Of the $14.2 million in total restructuring costs recognized for this plan, approximately $9.0 million, $4.7 million and $469,000 were related to activities in the Product Development segment, Integrated Healthcare Services segment and corporate activities, respectively.
	2012 Plan
	In May 2012, the Board approved a restructuring plan of up to $20.0 million to reduce anticipated overcapacity and to rationalize the number of non-billable support roles, which resulted in a reduction of approximately 280 positions, primarily in Europe. Since May 2012, the Company has recognized approximately $20.1 million of restructuring costs related to this plan including reversals. The reversals were due to changes in estimates primarily resulting from the redeployment of staff and higher than expected voluntary terminations. Of the $20.1 million in total restructuring costs recognized for this plan, $19.7 million and $376,000 were related to severance costs and lease costs, respectively. Of the $20.1 million in total restructuring costs recognized for this plan, approximately $12.2 million, $3.9 million and $4.0 million were related to activities in the Product Development segment, Integrated Healthcare Services segment and corporate activities, respectively.
	2011 Plan
	In July 2011, the Company initiated a restructuring plan to reduce its overcapacity within the Product Development segment and the Integrated Healthcare Services segment and to rationalize the number of its non-billable support roles, which resulted in a reduction of approximately 290 positions, primarily in North America and Europe. Since July 2011, the Company has recognized approximately $21.6 million of restructuring costs related to this plan including reversals. The reversals were due to changes in estimates primarily resulting from the redeployment of staff and higher than expected voluntary terminations. Of the $21.6 million in total restructuring costs recognized for this plan, approximately $17.6 million, $3.2 million and $837,000 were related to activities in the Product Development segment, Integrated Healthcare Services segment and corporate activities, respectively.
	Summary
	As of December 31, 2013, the following amounts were recorded for the restructuring plans discussed above (in thousands):
				Severance and Related Costs									Exit Costs
		Balance at		Expense,			Payments			Foreign			Expense,			Payments			Foreign			Balance at
		December 31,		Net of						Currency			Net of						Currency			December 31,
		2012		Reversals						Translation			Reversals						Translation			2013
	2013 Plan	$	—	$	14,232		$	(11,130	)	$	123		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	3,225
	2012 Plan		11,220		(263	)		(9,450	)		(40	)		377			(111	)		—			1,733
	Prior Year Plans		1,564		(251	)		(744	)		15			(24	)		(43	)		(1	)		516
		$	12,784	$	13,718		$	(21,324	)	$	98		$	353		$	(154	)	$	(1	)	$	5,474
	The Company expects the majority of the remaining restructuring accruals to be paid in 2014.
	As of December 31, 2012, the following amounts were recorded for the restructuring plans discussed above (in thousands):
				Severance and Related Costs									Exit Costs
		Balance at		Expense,			Payments			Foreign			Expense,			Payments			Foreign			Balance at
		December 31,		Net of						Currency			Net of						Currency			December 31,
		2011		Reversals						Translation			Reversals						Translation			2012
	2012 Plan	$	—	$	19,997		$	(9,028	)	$	251		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	11,220
	2011 Plan		12,522		(1,901	)		(5,149	)		52			941			(5,304	)		73			1,234
	Prior Year Plans		2,338		(268	)		(1,727	)		15			(28	)		—			—			330
		$	14,860	$	17,828		$	(15,904	)	$	318		$	913		$	(5,304	)	$	73		$	12,784
	Restructuring costs are not allocated to the Company’s reportable segments as they are not part of the segment performance measures regularly reviewed by management.

Impairments

Impairments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Impairments	'
	16. Impairments
	The following table is a summary of the impairments recognized by the Company, including those described in Note 3 (in thousands):
		Year Ended
		December 31,
		2011
	Non-marketable equity securities	$	145
	Long-lived assets		12,150
	Total impairments recognized	$	12,295
	In the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company determined that indicators of impairment existed in its early clinical development service offering due to a decline in revenue as well as an increasingly competitive market for early clinical development services. Also in the fourth quarter of 2011, management approved a plan to consolidate two locations providing early clinical development services and begin implementing process changes that will reduce capacity and temporarily suspend services. Based on these changes, the Company’s estimate of the future cash flows of the related asset group was no longer sufficient to recover the asset group’s carrying value. As a result, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $12.2 million related to the write-down of these long-lived assets to estimated fair value. Estimated fair value was determined using a discounted present value approach on the asset group, which consisted of furniture and fixtures, equipment, software and leasehold improvements. The early clinical development service offering and the related asset group are part of the Product Development segment. There were no impairments in 2013 or 2012.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	17. Income Taxes
	The components of income before income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates are as follows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Domestic	$	68,425		$	31,204		$	(30,334	)
	Foreign		254,691			236,224			215,009
		$	323,116		$	267,428		$	184,675
	The components of income tax expense attributable to continuing operations are as follows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Current expense (benefit):
	Federal	$	38,573		$	18,236		$	10,324
	State		(4,309	)		1,384			3,875
	Foreign		83,744			58,712			70,905
			118,008			78,332			85,104
	Deferred (benefit) expense:
	Federal and state		(15,807	)		16,023			(47,517	)
	Foreign		(6,236	)		(991	)		(22,482	)
			(22,043	)		15,032			(69,999	)
		$	95,965		$	93,364		$	15,105
	The differences between the Company’s consolidated income tax expense attributable to continuing operations and the expense computed at the 35% United States statutory income tax rate were as follows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Federal income tax expense at statutory rate	$	113,091		$	93,600		$	64,636
	State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit		(1,088	)		(914	)		3,487
	Research and development		(12,788	)		(17,096	)		(14,111	)
	Foreign nontaxable interest income		(9,751	)		(7,864	)		(8,375	)
	Transaction costs		343			291			16,932
	Gain on note settlement		10,794			—			—
	US taxes recorded on foreign earnings		(1,616	)		23,236			(33,180	)
	Foreign rate differential		(10,753	)		(8,396	)		145
	(Decrease) increase in valuation allowance		(178	)		401			(9,939	)
	Effect of changes in apportionment and tax rates		(492	)		1,872			663
	Foreign tax contingencies		2,069			104			(16,609	)
	Future foreign branch earnings		606			858			7,249
	Other		5,728			7,272			4,207
		$	95,965		$	93,364		$	15,105
	Prior to June 2013, the Company had not considered the majority of the undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiaries to be indefinitely reinvested. Management reevaluated this assertion following the IPO, as a portion of the IPO proceeds were used to pay down debt held in the United States as well as the fact the Company does not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future, which had been significant in the past. With this reduction of debt and related interest expense and the change in approach related to payment of dividends, the Company expects to be able to support the cash needs of the domestic subsidiaries without repatriating cash from the affected foreign subsidiaries. The Company expects to utilize the cash generated outside of the United States to fund growth outside of the United States. As a result of the assertion change, the Company recorded an $8.1 million income tax benefit in the second quarter of 2013 to reverse the deferred income tax liability previously recorded on undistributed foreign earnings prior to 2013 that are now considered indefinitely reinvested outside of the United States. Undistributed earnings of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries amounted to approximately $488.6 million at December 31, 2013. Approximately $119.8 million of this total is not considered to be indefinitely reinvested and would be taxable upon repatriation. The Company has recorded a deferred income tax liability, net of foreign income tax credits that would be generated upon repatriation, of $18.4 million as of December 31, 2013 associated with those earnings based upon the United States federal income tax rate. Upon distribution of those earnings in the form of dividends or otherwise, the Company would be subject to both United States income taxes (subject to an adjustment for foreign tax credits, if available) and withholding taxes payable to the various countries in which the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are located. If the approximately $368.8 million of indefinitely reinvested earnings were repatriated to the United States, it would generate an estimated $32.0 million of additional tax liability for the Company.
	In years prior to 2009, the Company elected to deduct on its United States income tax returns the actual foreign taxes associated with repatriated foreign earnings instead of treating these taxes as credits. Throughout 2010, the Company could not support amending prior year income tax returns to recognize potential past tax credits based on projections of foreign source income. However, as a result of the favorable impacts from the refinancing transaction in 2011 discussed in Note 10 coupled with continued improvement in its foreign source income, the Company concluded that it would be able to receive an income tax benefit if it amended its prior year income tax returns and claimed foreign tax credits rather than foreign tax deductions as were taken previously. As a result, the Company’s effective income tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2011 was positively impacted by a $48.7 million income tax benefit for this change in estimate.
	The income tax effects of temporary differences from continuing operations that give rise to significant portions of deferred income tax (liabilities) assets are presented below (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Deferred income tax liabilities:
	Undistributed foreign earnings	$	(18,393	)	$	(44,972	)
	Depreciation and amortization		(78,486	)		(64,573	)
	Other		(12,700	)		(12,984	)
	Total deferred income tax liabilities		(109,579	)		(122,529	)
	Deferred income tax assets:
	Net operating loss, capital loss and foreign tax credit carryforwards		49,308			82,745
	Unrealized loss on investments		8,182			12,695
	Accrued expenses and unearned income		31,067			22,614
	Employee benefits		124,688			120,603
	Other		12,033			10,347
			225,278			249,004
	Valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets		(29,501	)		(32,344	)
	Total deferred income tax assets		195,777			216,660
	Net deferred income tax assets	$	86,198		$	94,131
	The Company has net operating loss and capital loss carryforwards of approximately $42.1 million in various entities within the United Kingdom which have no expiration date and has $75.6 million of net operating loss and capital loss carryforwards from various foreign jurisdictions which have different expiration periods. The Company has United States net operating loss carryforwards of $23.6 million, which were obtained through the acquisitions of Novella, EA, and Advion in 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively, and expire through 2023. These losses are subject to IRC Section 382 limitations; however, management expects all losses to be utilized during the carryforward periods. In addition, the Company has approximately $72.6 million of United States state operating loss carryforwards which expire through 2033.
	In 2013, the Company decreased its valuation allowance $2.8 million to $29.5 million at December 31, 2013 from $32.3 million at December 31, 2012. The valuation allowance is primarily related to loss carryforwards in various foreign and state jurisdictions.
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized income tax benefits is presented below (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Balance at January 1	$	43,393		$	41,371		$	49,532
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		4,493			891			1,416
Additions for income tax positions of prior years		12,854			2,230			2,039
Impact of changes in exchange rates		(71	)		118			(286	)
Settlements with tax authorities		(1,052	)		(179	)		(165	)
Reductions for income tax positions of prior years		(3,520	)		(63	)		(1,052	)
Reductions due to the lapse of the applicable statute of limitations		(1,161	)		(975	)		(10,113	)
Balance at December 31	$	54,936		$	43,393		$	41,371
As of December 31, 2013, the Company had total gross unrecognized income tax benefits of $54.9 million associated with over 50 jurisdictions in which the Company conducts business. This amount includes $42.3 million of unrecognized benefits that, if recognized, would reduce the Company’s effective income tax rate. This amount excludes $3.6 million of accrued interest and penalties.
The Company’s policy for recording interest and penalties relating to uncertain income tax positions is to record them as a component of income tax expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. In 2013, 2012 and 2011, the amount of interest and penalties recorded as an addition (reduction) to income tax expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of income was $843,000, $796,000 and ($9.4) million, respectively. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company accrued approximately $3.6 million and $2.8 million, respectively, of interest and penalties.
The Company believes that it is reasonably possible that a decrease of up to $5.1 million in unrecognized income tax benefits for federal, state and foreign exposure items may be necessary within the next 12 months due to lapse of statutes of limitations or uncertain tax positions being effectively settled. The Company believes that it is reasonably possible that a decrease of up to $1.6 million in unrecognized benefits for foreign items may be necessary within the next 12 months due to payments. For the remaining uncertain income tax positions, it is difficult at this time to estimate the timing of the resolution.
The Company conducts business globally and, as a result, files income tax returns in the United States federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions. In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to examination by taxing authorities throughout the world. The following table summarizes the tax years that remain open for examination by tax authorities in the most significant jurisdictions in which the Company operates:
United States	2001-2012
India	2006-2013
Japan	2007-2012
United Kingdom	2008-2010, 2012
In certain of the jurisdictions noted above, the Company operates through more than one legal entity, each of which has different open years subject to examination. The table above presents the open years subject to examination for the most material of the legal entities in each jurisdiction. Additionally, it is important to note that tax years are technically not closed until the statute of limitations in each jurisdiction expires. In the jurisdictions noted above, the statute of limitations can extend beyond the open years subject to examination.
Due to the geographic breadth of the Company’s operations, numerous tax audits may be ongoing throughout the world at any point in time. Income tax liabilities are recorded based on estimates of additional income taxes which will be due upon the conclusion of these audits. Estimates of these income tax liabilities are made based upon prior experience and are updated in light of changes in facts and circumstances. However, due to the uncertain and complex application of income tax regulations, it is possible that the ultimate resolution of audits may result in liabilities which could be materially different from these estimates. In such an event, the Company will record additional income tax expense or income tax benefit in the period in which such resolution occurs.
The Company has a tax holiday for Quintiles East Asia Pte. Ltd. in Singapore through June 2015, provided the Company maintains specific levels of spending and employment. The income tax benefit of this holiday was approximately $805,000, $343,000 and $395,000 in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company also had a tax holiday for Outcome Europe Sarl in Switzerland for 2012 and 2011. The Company is in the process of renewing this tax holiday for an additional five years through 2018. The income tax benefit of this holiday was approximately $28,000 and $47,000 in 2012 and 2011, respectively. The tax holidays do not have a notable impact on earnings per share.

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Employee Benefit Plans	'
	18. Employee Benefit Plans
	The Company has numerous employee retirement benefit plans, which cover substantially all eligible employees in the countries where the plans are offered either voluntarily or statutorily. Contributions are primarily discretionary, except in some countries where contributions are contractually required.
	Defined Contribution Plans
	Defined contribution or profit sharing style plans are offered in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, the United States and the United Kingdom. In some cases these plans are required by local laws or regulations.
	In the United States, the Company has a 401(k) Plan under which the Company matches employee deferrals at varying percentages, set at the discretion of the Board. In 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company expensed $26.1 million, $24.3 million and $19.9 million, respectively, related to matching contributions.
	Defined Benefit Plans
	Defined benefit plans are offered in Austria, France, Germany, India, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Philippines and the United Kingdom. The following table summarizes the components of pension expense related to these defined benefit plans (in thousands):
			Year Ended December 31,
			2013				2012				2011
	Service cost		$	13,227			$	13,839			$	11,939
	Interest cost			3,684				3,775				3,762
	Expected return on plan assets			(3,442	)			(2,822	)			(3,048	)
	Amortization of prior service costs			336				411				413
	Amortization of actuarial losses			708				758				902
			$	14,513			$	15,961			$	13,968
	The Company expects to recognize approximately $78 and $670 in its pension expense in 2014 related to the amortization of prior service costs and net actuarial losses, respectively.
	The weighted average assumptions used in determining pension expense were as follows:
			Year Ended December 31,
			2013				2012				2011
	Discount rate			3.06	%			3.32	%			3.68	%
	Rate of compensation increases			4.74	%			4.96	%			4.96	%
	Expected return on plan assets			5.33	%			5.23	%			6.17	%
	The following table summarizes financial information about the Company’s defined benefit plans as measured on December 31 (in thousands):
			2013				2012
	Projected benefit obligation January 1		$	130,323			$	118,076
	Service costs			13,227				13,839
	Interest cost			3,684				3,775
	Expected return on plan assets			(3,442	)			(2,822	)
	Actuarial losses			1,890				9,469
	Benefits paid			(5,917	)			(7,132	)
	Foreign currency fluctuations and other			(4,655	)			(4,882	)
	Projected benefit obligation December 31		$	135,110			$	130,323
	Plan assets at fair value, January 1		$	68,258			$	55,590
	Actual return on plan assets			5,928				4,551
	Contributions			8,620				12,935
	Benefits paid			(5,917	)			(7,132	)
	Foreign currency fluctuations and other			5,898				2,314
	Plan assets at fair value, December 31		$	82,787			$	68,258
	Unfunded balance		$	52,323			$	62,065
	The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit plans was approximately $118.4 million and $111.7 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	As of December 31, 2013, the projected benefit obligation and accumulated benefit obligation for the defined benefit plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets were $77.7 million and $63.6 million, respectively, and were primarily related to unfunded plans. As of December 31, 2012, the projected benefit obligation and accumulated benefit obligation for the defined benefit plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets were $71.0 million and $57.2 million, respectively, and were primarily related to unfunded plans. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the projected benefit obligation exceeded the fair value of the plan assets for each defined benefit plan except for the defined benefit plan in the United Kingdom and one plan in India.
	The following table summarizes the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets related to the defined benefit plans as of December 31 (in thousands):
			2013				2012
	Deposits and other assets		$	18,835			$	10,523
	Accrued expenses			8,622				9,787
	Other long-term liabilities			62,536				62,801
	Accumulated other comprehensive income		$	(5,044	)		$	(8,235	)
	The following table summarizes the amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income related to the defined benefit plans (in thousands):
			Prior Service				Actuarial				Deferred				Total
			Costs				Net (Gain)				Income
							Loss				Taxes
	Balance as of December 31, 2011		$	(854	)		$	(3,934	)		$	2,216			$	(2,572	)
	Reclassification adjustments included in pension expense:
	Amortization			411				758				(446	)			723
	Amounts arising during the period:
	Tax rate adjustments			—				—				(52	)			(52	)
	Actuarial changes in benefit obligation			—				(4,616	)			1,496				(3,120	)
	Balance as of December 31, 2012			(443	)			(7,792	)			3,214				(5,021	)
	Reclassification adjustments included in pension expense:
	Amortization			336				708				(389	)			655
	Amounts arising during the period:
	Tax rate adjustments			—				—				(26	)			(26	)
	Actuarial changes in benefit obligation			—				2,147				157				2,304
Balance as of December 31, 2013		$	(107	)		$	(4,937	)		$	2,956			$	(2,088	)
The following table summarizes the weighted average assumptions used in determining the pension obligations as of December 31:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013				2012
Discount rate			3.01	%			3.06	%
Rate of compensation increases			4.36	%			4.74	%
The discount rate represents the interest rate used to determine the present value of the future cash flows currently expected to be required to settle the Company’s defined benefit plan obligations. The discount rates are derived using weighted average yield curves on AA-rated corporate bonds. The cash flows from the Company’s expected benefit obligation payments are then matched to the yield curve to derive the discount rates.
The Company’s assumption for the expected return on plan assets was determined by the weighted average of the long-term expected rate of return on each of the asset classes invested as of the balance sheet date. For plan assets invested in government bonds, the expected return was based on the yields on the relevant indices as of the balance sheet date. There is considerable uncertainty for the expected return on plan assets invested in equity and diversified growth funds. The expected return on these plan assets was based on the expected return on long-term fixed interest rate government bonds as of the balance sheet date with a premium of 3% to 4% added to reflect the expected long-term returns expected from these types of investments.
The Company’s investment objective for defined benefit plan assets is to meet the plan’s benefit obligations and maintaining adequate funding, while minimizing the potential for future required Company contributions. The defined benefit plans in the United Kingdom, India and Israel are funded. The plan assets of the defined benefit plans in India and Israel are held in a fund which holds debt investments, primarily government bonds in accordance with local laws and regulations. The plan assets of the defined benefit plan in the United Kingdom are primarily held in funds which hold investments in government bonds, equity investments and diversified growth funds. The equity investments are diversified to include domestic (United Kingdom) and global equity investments. A “horizon based” approach is used to determine the asset allocation. Funds intended to meet the plan’s benefit obligation payments in a horizon period are invested in low risk assets such as bond investments. Funds intended to meet the plan’s benefit obligation payments outside of the horizon period are invested in more volatile assets which are expected to provide a higher return such as equity investments and diversified growth funds. The Company’s target allocation percentage for 2014 is approximately 40-50% in bond investments, 35-45% in equity investments and 15-25% in diversified growth funds. However, the Company may reallocate the plan assets between equity investments and bond investments depending upon the actual investment performances.
The Company’s plan assets have been identified within the fair value hierarchy as Level 2. Funds are valued using the net asset value reported by the managers of the funds. The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s defined benefit plans assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
		2013				2012
Funds that hold debt investments primarily government bonds		$	19,826			$	31,315
Funds that hold United Kingdom equity investments			8,393				22,924
Funds that hold global equity investments			11,169				9,730
Diversified growth fund			42,733				3,238
Other			661				1,051
Total		$	82,782			$	68,258
The Company estimates that it will make contributions totaling approximately $13.0 million to the defined benefit plans in 2014.
The following table summarizes the Company’s expected benefit payments under the defined benefit plans for each of the next five years and the aggregate of the five years thereafter (in thousands):
2014		$	9,769
2015			9,345
2016			9,785
2017			10,915
2018			11,427
Years 2019 through 2023			61,590
		$	112,831
Stock Incentive Plans
The 2013 Stock Incentive Plan provides incentives to eligible employees, officers and directors in the form of non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, SARs, restricted stock, RSUs, performance shares, performance units, covered annual incentive awards, cash-based awards and other share-based awards, in each case subject to the terms of the 2013 Stock Incentive Plan. As of December 31, 2013, there were 8,659,733 shares available for future grants under the 2013 Stock Incentive Plan.
The 2008 Stock Incentive Plan provides incentives to eligible employees, officers and directors in the form of non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, SARs, restricted stock, RSUs, performance shares, performance units, covered annual incentive awards, cash-based awards and other share-based awards, in each case subject to the terms of the 2008 Stock Incentive Plan. As of December 31, 2013, there were 970,257 shares available for future grants under the 2008 Stock Incentive Plan.
Stock Options
The option price is determined by the Board at the date of grant and the options expire 10 years from the date of grant. Beginning in May 2013, options were granted to certain employees with a vesting schedule of 33% on the third anniversary of the date of grant and 67% on the fourth anniversary of the date of grant. Additionally, beginning in August 2012, options were granted to certain employees with a vesting schedule of 25% per year beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant. Prior to August 2012, options were granted to certain employees with a vesting schedule of 20% per year beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant. In addition, an option to acquire 38,580 shares of the Company’s common stock was granted to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer on May 31, 2012 which vests monthly over three years.
The Company’s stock option activity in 2013 is as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		Number of				Weighted				Aggregate
		Options				Average				Intrinsic Value
						Exercise Price
										(in thousands)
Outstanding at December 31, 2012			11,054,690			$	17.17			$	142,626
Granted			2,363,500				40.08
Exercised			(916,620	)			13.68
Cash settled			(1,990,540	)			13.74
Canceled			(410,870	)			29.95
Outstanding at December 31, 2013			10,100,160			$	23			$	235,729
The weighted average fair value per share of the options granted in 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $14.39, $6.34 and $6.73, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised was approximately $27.1 million, $4.6 million and $1.5 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company received cash of approximately $12.5 million, $2.5 million and $1.1 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, from options exercised.
Under the Company’s equity repurchase program discussed further in Note 12, in 2013 the Company repurchased 1,990,540 vested in-the-money employee stock options with an intrinsic value of $59.1 million.
Selected information regarding the Company’s stock options as of December 31, 2013 is as follows:
Options Outstanding																Options Exercisable
Number of Options				Exercise Price Range				Weighted Average				Weighted Average				Number of Options		Weighted Average
								Exercise Price				Remaining Life						Exercise Price
												(in Years)
	1,845,650			$	4.70 - $13.06			$	11.2				3.3				1,771,650	$	11.22
	1,646,900			$	13.40 - $15.88			$	15.28				4.29				1,466,700	$	15.36
	1,692,755			$	17.11 - $21.20			$	19.27				6.94				788,595	$	18.92
	2,675,855			$	21.22 - $24.59			$	24.25				8.38				581,258	$	24.21
	128,500			$	25.64 - $30.07			$	28.23				9				13,375	$	25.64
	2,110,500			$	40.00 - $44.75			$	40.44				9.37				—	$	—
The weighted average remaining contractual life of the options outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2013 is 6.76 years and 4.72 years, respectively. The total aggregate intrinsic value of the exercisable stock options and the stock options expected to vest as of December 31, 2013 was approximately $232.1 million.
In connection with the November 2012 per share dividend discussed further in Note 12, the Board authorized a $2.09 per share reduction in the exercise price of certain non-vested and vested options outstanding on October 24, 2012. As such, the Company repriced 10,166,820 options previously granted to 228 employees and directors. The other terms, including the vesting schedules, remained unchanged. The aggregate incremental share-based compensation expense resulting from the modification of these outstanding stock options was approximately $11.4 million, of which approximately $9.2 million was recognized during the three months ended December 31, 2012, and the remaining $2.2 million is being recognized over the remaining vesting periods of the respective stock options.
In connection with the February 2012 per share dividend discussed further in Note 12, the Board authorized a $2.82 per share reduction in the exercise price of all non-vested options and certain vested options outstanding on February 29, 2012. As such, the Company repriced 5,561,700 options previously granted to 222 employees and directors. The other terms, including the vesting schedules, remained unchanged. The aggregate incremental share-based compensation expense resulting from the modification of these outstanding stock options was approximately $7.1 million, of which approximately $4.5 million was recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2012, and the remaining $2.6 million is being recognized over the remaining vesting periods of the respective stock options.
Stock Appreciation Rights
The Company’s SARs require the Company to settle in cash an amount equal to the difference between the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of exercise and the grant price, multiplied by the number of SARs being exercised. These awards either (i) vest 25% per year or (ii) vest 33% on the third anniversary of the date of grant and 67% on the fourth anniversary of the date of grant.
The Company’s SAR activity in 2013 is as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		Number of				Weighted				Aggregate
		SARs				Average				Intrinsic Value
						Exercise Price
										(in thousands)
Outstanding at December 31, 2012			94,250			$	24.59			$	516
Granted			172,600				40.55
Exercised			(4,225	)			24.59
Canceled			(4,600	)			24.59
Outstanding at December 31, 2013			258,025			$	35.26			$	2,858
As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the weighted average fair value per share of the SARs granted was $19.07 and $8.16, respectively. The Company paid approximately $83,000 to settle exercised SARs in 2013. There were no SARs exercised in 2012.
The weighted average remaining contractual life of the SARs outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2013 is 9.1 years and 8.6 years, respectively. The total aggregate intrinsic value of the exercisable SARs and the SARs expected to vest as of December 31, 2013 was approximately $2.8 million.
In connection with the November 2012 per share dividend discussed further in Note 12, the Company’s Board authorized a $2.09 per share reduction in the exercise price of all non-vested cash-settled SARs outstanding on October 24, 2012.
Restricted Stock Units
The Company’s RSUs will settle in shares of the Company’s common stock within 45 days of the applicable vesting date. One-third of the RSUs vest on the third anniversary of the date of grant and the remaining two-thirds of the RSUs vest on the fourth anniversary of the date of grant.
The Company’s RSU activity in 2013 is as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		Number of				Weighted
		RSUs				Average
						Grant-Date
						Fair Value
Non-vested at December 31, 2012			—			$	—
Granted			57,167				44.62
Non-vested at December 31, 2013			57,167			$	44.62
As of December 31, 2013, there are 57,167 RSUs outstanding with an intrinsic value of approximately $2.6 million.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
In November 2013, the Board approved an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) which will allow eligible employees to authorize payroll deductions of up to 10% of their base salary to be applied toward the purchase of full shares of the Company’s common stock on the last day of the offering period. Offering periods under the ESPP will be six months in duration and will begin on each March 1 and September 1. The first offering period for the ESPP begins March 1, 2014. Shares will be purchased on the last day of each offering period at a discount of 15% of the closing price of the common stock on such date as reported on the NYSE. The aggregate number of shares of the Company’s common stock that may be issued under the ESPP may not exceed 2,500,000 shares and no one employee may purchase any shares under the ESPP having a collective fair market value greater than $25,000 in any one calendar year. The shares available for purchase under the ESPP will be drawn from authorized but unissued shares of common stock.
Other
The Company sponsors a supplemental non-qualified deferred compensation plan, covering certain management employees, and maintains other statutory indemnity plans as required by local laws or regulations.
During the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company recognized $14.1 million of severance expense associated with cost reduction programs (of which, $4.0 million is reflected in costs of revenue, service costs and $10.1 million is reflected in selling, general and administrative expenses). The Company recognizes obligations associated with severance related to contractual termination benefits at fair value on the date that it is probable that the affected employees will be entitled to the benefit and the amount can reasonably be estimated. The cost reduction programs will result in the reduction of approximately 270 positions, which is expected to lower operating costs and improve profitability by reducing excess capacities. These actions are expected to occur and be paid during 2014 and 2015. As of December 31, 2013, $14.1 million was included in accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheet. No payments were made related to these cost reduction programs in 2013. The segment break down of the total severance expense related to these programs was $12.3 million in Product Development, $1.5 million in Integrated Healthcare Services and $0.3 million in unallocated corporate costs.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	19. Related Party Transactions
	As the Company has done in prior years, the Company reimburses its Executive Chairman for business-related travel services he provides for himself and other Company employees with the use of his own airplane. In 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company expensed approximately $2.7 million, $4.2 million and $4.9 million, respectively, for such business-related travel expenses. In the second quarter of 2013, the Company paid a $1.5 million fee in connection with the modification of the agreement for the business usage of the airplane that limits future reimbursements to $2.5 million per year.
	During 2013, the Company entered into a number of contracts with HUYA, primarily in Asia, in which the Company will provide up to approximately $19.2 million of services on a fee for services basis at arm’s length and at market rates. During 2013, the Company provided approximately $772,000 of services under these agreements.
	The Company has entered into other transactions with related parties including the funding of research and development costs which is discussed in Note 1; investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates which are discussed in Note 4; and management fees which are discussed in Note 13.

Operations_by_Geographic_Locat

Operations by Geographic Location	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Operations by Geographic Location	'
	20. Operations by Geographic Location
	The table below presents the Company’s operations by geographical location. The Company attributes revenues to geographical locations based upon where the services are performed. The Company’s operations within each geographical region are further broken down to show each country which accounts for 10% or more of the totals (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Service revenues:
	Americas:
	United States	$	1,351,160	$	1,288,990	$	1,054,379
	Other		181,814		180,568		160,593
	Americas		1,532,974		1,469,558		1,214,972
	Europe and Africa:
	United Kingdom		362,242		344,852		321,146
	Other		1,139,262		1,086,065		1,052,424
	Europe and Africa		1,501,504		1,430,917		1,373,570
	Asia-Pacific:
	Japan		438,882		500,280		449,300
	Other		334,980		291,543		257,124
	Asia-Pacific		773,862		791,823		706,424
	Total service revenues		3,808,340		3,692,298		3,294,966
	Reimbursed expenses		1,291,205		1,173,215		1,032,782
	Total revenues	$	5,099,545	$	4,865,513	$	4,327,748
		As of December 31,
		2013		2012
	Property, equipment and software, net:
	Americas:
	United States	$	168,380	$	162,365
	Other		2,146		2,717
	Americas		170,526		165,082
	Europe and Africa:
	United Kingdom		50,043		53,847
	Other		18,246		19,549
	Europe and Africa		68,289		73,396
	Asia-Pacific:
	Japan		26,096		17,605
	Other		27,574		27,940
	Asia-Pacific		53,670		45,545
	Total property, equipment and software, net	$	292,485	$	284,023

Segments

Segments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segments	'
	21. Segments
	The following table presents the Company’s operations by reportable segment. The Company is managed through two reportable segments, Product Development and Integrated Healthcare Services. Product Development, which primarily serves biopharmaceutical customers engaged in research and development, provides clinical research and clinical trial services. Integrated Healthcare Services provides commercialization services to biopharmaceutical customers and research, analytics, outcomes research consulting, and other services to both biopharmaceutical customers and the broader healthcare market.
	Certain costs are not allocated to the Company’s segments and are reported as general corporate and unallocated expenses. These costs primarily consist of share-based compensation and expenses for corporate overhead functions such as finance, human resources, information technology, facilities and legal, as well as certain expenses incurred in the second quarter of 2013 including the $25.0 million fee incurred in connection with the termination of the management agreement with affiliates of certain shareholders and the $1.5 million fee paid in connection with the modification of an agreement for the business usage of an airplane owned by GFM, a company owned by the Company’s Executive Chairman. The Company does not allocate restructuring or impairment charges to its segments. Information presented below is in thousands:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Service revenues
	Product Development	$	2,919,730		$	2,728,695		$	2,437,822
	Integrated Healthcare Services		888,610			963,603			857,144
	Total service revenues		3,808,340			3,692,298			3,294,966
	Costs of revenue, service costs
	Product Development		1,752,800			1,683,340			1,464,297
	Integrated Healthcare Services		718,626			776,027			688,708
	Total costs of revenue, service costs		2,471,426			2,459,367			2,153,005
	Selling, general and administrative expenses
	Product Development		604,663			567,500			548,784
	Integrated Healthcare Services		127,860			127,067			110,247
	General corporate and unallocated expenses		127,987			123,188			103,268
	Total selling, general and administrative expenses		860,510			817,755			762,299
	Income from operations
	Product Development		562,267			477,855			424,741
	Integrated Healthcare Services		42,124			60,509			58,189
	General corporate and unallocated expenses		(127,987	)		(123,188	)		(103,268	)
	Restructuring costs		(14,071	)		(18,741	)		(22,116	)
	Impairment charges		—			—			(12,295	)
	Total income from operations	$	462,333		$	396,435		$	345,251
		As of December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Assets
	Product Development	$	2,571,502		$	2,016,605		$	1,814,062
	Integrated Healthcare Services		299,284			351,656			358,075
	General corporate and unallocated		196,011			130,892			150,780
	Total assets	$	3,066,797		$	2,499,153		$	2,322,917
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Expenditures to acquire long-lived assets
	Product Development	$	72,609		$	61,097		$	66,415
	Integrated Healthcare Services		18,162			8,181			6,753
	General corporate and unallocated		1,574			2,058			2,511
	Total expenditures to acquire long-lived assets	$	92,345		$	71,336		$	75,679
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Depreciation and amortization expense
	Product Development	$	82,047		$	68,825		$	68,029
	Integrated Healthcare Services		20,475			24,366			19,785
	General corporate and unallocated		4,982			5,097			4,190
	Total depreciation and amortization expense	$	107,504		$	98,288		$	92,004

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	22. Earnings Per Share
	The following table reconciles the basic to diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		124,147		115,710		116,232
	Effect of dilutive stock options and share awards		3,715		2,086		1,704
	Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		127,862		117,796		117,936
	The following table shows the weighted average number of outstanding stock options not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share as the effect of including such stock options in the computation would be anti-dilutive (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Weighted average shares subject to anti-dilutive stock options and share awards		1,765		2,363		1,929
	Stock options and share awards will have a dilutive effect under the treasury method only when the respective period’s average market value of the Company’s common stock exceeds the exercise proceeds.

Comprehensive_Income

Comprehensive Income	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Comprehensive Income	'
	23. Comprehensive Income
	Below is a summary of the components of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income in 2013, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):
		Foreign			Marketable			Derivative			Defined			Income			Accumulated
		Currency			Securities			Instrument			Benefit			Taxes			Other
		Translation									Plan						Comprehensive
																	(Loss) Income
	Balance at December 31, 2010	$	43,164		$	(94	)	$	(14,208	)	$	(4,387	)	$	21,102		$	45,577
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications		(17,276	)		(97	)		(26,032	)		(1,716	)		13,830			(31,291	)
	Reclassification adjustments		(531	)		—			13,895			1,315			(6,094	)		8,585
	Balance at December 31, 2011		25,357			(191	)		(26,345	)		(4,788	)		28,838			22,871
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications		(6,045	)		658			(10,698	)		(4,616	)		2,614			(18,087	)
	Reclassification adjustments		—			—			3,501			1,169			(1,759	)		2,911
	Balance at December 31, 2012		19,312			467			(33,542	)		(8,235	)		29,693			7,695
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications		(25,141	)		5,241			(393	)		2,147			1,331			(16,815	)
	Reclassification adjustments		—			—			13,080			1,044			(5,380	)		8,744
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	(5,829	)	$	5,708		$	(20,855	)	$	(5,044	)	$	25,644		$	(376	)
	Below is a summary of the reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income into net income in 2013, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Foreign currency translation:
	Increase in equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	$	—		$	—		$	(531	)
	Total before income taxes		—			—			(531	)
	Income taxes		—			—			—
	Total net of income taxes	$	—		$	—		$	(531	)
	Losses (gains) on derivative instruments:
	Interest rate swaps – increase to interest expense	$	12,582		$	3,248		$	3,968
	Interest rate swaps – increase to other expense		—			—			11,630
	Foreign exchange forward contracts – reduction (increase) to service revenues		498			253			(1,703	)
	Total before income taxes		13,080			3,501			13,895
	Income taxes		4,991			1,313			5,541
	Total net of income taxes	$	8,089		$	2,188		$	8,354
	Defined benefit plans:
	Amortization of prior service costs	$	336		$	411		$	413
	Amortization of actuarial losses		708			758			902
	Total before income taxes		1,044			1,169			1,315
	Income taxes		389			446			553
	Total net of income taxes	$	655		$	723		$	762
	Amortization of prior service costs and actuarial losses are included in the computation of pension expense for the Company’s defined benefit plans. See Note 18 for additional information.

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa

Supplemental Cash Flow Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	'
	24. Supplemental Cash Flow Information
	The following table presents the Company’s supplemental cash flow information (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
	Interest paid, net of capitalized interest	$	115,494	$	127,133	$	100,906
	Capitalized interest		—		—		42
	Income taxes paid, net of refunds		70,983		103,976		63,369
	Non-cash Investing Activities:
	Acquisition of property and equipment utilizing capital leases	$	3,761	$	5,267	$	5,096
	Fair value of contingent consideration payable in connection with acquisitions		14,300		1,990		6,165

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	'
	25. Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
	The following table summarizes the Company’s unaudited quarterly results of operations (in thousands, except per share data):
			2013
			First Quarter		Second Quarter		Third Quarter		Fourth Quarter
	Service revenues		$	927,435	$	944,238	$	932,727	$	1,003,940
	Income from operations			115,165		94,897		125,259		127,012
	Net income			48,156		38,353		66,584		72,934
	Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests			153		164		185		62
	Net income attributable to Quintiles Transnational Holdings Inc		$	48,309	$	38,517	$	66,769	$	72,996
	Basic earnings per share(1)		$	0.42	$	0.31	$	0.52	$	0.57
	Diluted earnings per share(1)		$	0.41	$	0.3	$	0.5	$	0.55
			2012
			First Quarter		Second Quarter		Third Quarter		Fourth Quarter
	Service revenues		$	888,035	$	944,914	$	913,588	$	945,761
	Income from operations			91,987		100,885		109,136		94,427
	Net income			42,808		47,012		51,975		34,836
	Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests			465		189		123		138
	Net income attributable to Quintiles Transnational Holdings Inc		$	43,273	$	47,201	$	52,098	$	34,974
	Basic earnings per share(1)		$	0.37	$	0.41	$	0.45	$	0.3
	Diluted earnings per share(1)		$	0.37	$	0.4	$	0.44	$	0.3
	-1	The sum of the quarterly per share amounts may not equal per share amounts reported for year-to-date periods. This is due to changes in the number of weighted average shares outstanding and the effects of rounding for each period.

Subsequent_Event

Subsequent Event	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Event	'
	26. Subsequent Event
	In February 2014, the Board approved a restructuring plan of up to $13.0 million to better align resources with the Company’s strategic direction. These actions are expected to occur throughout 2014 and are expected to result in severance for approximately 400 positions, primarily in the Product Development segment.

Schedule_I_Condensed_Financial

Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Condensed Financial Information Of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant	'
	Schedule I—Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
	QUINTILES TRANSNATIONAL HOLDINGS INC. (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)
	CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
		(in thousands)
	Costs, expenses and other:
	Selling, general and administrative	$	2		$	23		$	6
	Loss from operations		(2	)		(23	)		(6	)
	Interest income		(6	)		(14	)		(41	)
	Interest expense		9,242			21,134			25,798
	Loss on extinguishment of debt		15,501			—			31,656
	Loss before income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiary		(24,739	)		(21,143	)		(57,419	)
	Income tax benefit		(9,347	)		(7,601	)		(21,019	)
	Loss before equity in earnings of subsidiary		(15,392	)		(13,542	)		(36,400	)
	Equity in earnings of subsidiary		241,983			191,088			278,172
	Net income	$	226,591		$	177,546		$	241,772
	QUINTILES TRANSNATIONAL HOLDINGS INC. (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)
	CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
		(in thousands)
	Net income	$	226,591		$	177,546		$	241,772
	Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities, net of income taxes of $2,016, $258 and ($37)		3,225			400			(60	)
	Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net of income taxes of ($751), ($4,392) and ($9,969)		358			(6,306	)		(16,063	)
	Foreign currency translation, net of income taxes of ($2,465), $2,964 and ($3,851)		(22,676	)		(9,009	)		(13,425	)
	Defined benefit plan adjustment, net of income taxes of ($131), ($1,444) and $27		2,278			(3,172	)		(1,743	)
	Reclassification adjustments:
	Losses on derivative instruments included in net income, net of income taxes of $4,991, $1,313 and $5,541		8,089			2,188			8,354
	Amortization of prior service costs and losses included in net income, net of income taxes of $389, $446 and $553		655			723			762
	Foreign currency translation on sale of equity method investment		—			—			(531	)
	Comprehensive income	$	218,520		$	162,370		$	219,066
	QUINTILES TRANSNATIONAL HOLDINGS INC. (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)
	CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
		December 31,
		2013			2012
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	71,942		$	2,411
	Prepaid expenses		—			17
	Other current assets and receivables		2,995			—
	Total current assets		74,937			2,428
	Deferred income taxes		44			348
	Deposits and other assets		26			5,097
	Total assets	$	75,007		$	7,873
	LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
	Current liabilities:
	Accrued expenses	$	—		$	63
	Income taxes payable		302			467
	Total current liabilities		302			530
	Long-term debt and obligations held under capital leases, less current portion		—			294,787
	Investment in subsidiary		739,115			1,068,952
	Payable to subsidiary		3,003			3,127
	Total liabilities		742,420			1,367,396
	Commitments and contingencies
	Shareholders’ deficit:
	Common stock and additional paid-in capital, 300,000 and 150,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, $0.01 par value, 129,652 and 115,764 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively		478,144			4,554
	Accumulated deficit		(1,145,181	)		(1,371,772	)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income		(376	)		7,695
	Total shareholders’ deficit		667,413			(1,359,523	)
	Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit	$	75,007		$	7,873
	QUINTILES TRANSNATIONAL HOLDINGS INC. (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
	Year Ended December 31,
	2013			2012			2011
	(in thousands)
Operating activities:
Net income	$	226,591		$	177,546		$	241,772
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization of debt issuance costs and discount		10,346			1,884			18,897
Subsidiary income		(119,998	)		—			—
Provision for (benefit from) deferred income taxes		304			(70	)		85
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable and unbilled services		(2,995	)		—			—
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(21	)		(100	)		—
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		(62	)		63			(155	)
Income taxes payable and other liabilities		(9,651	)		(7,531	)		(21,105	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		104,514			171,792			239,494
Investing activities:
Investments in subsidiary, net of payments received		(179,847	)		118,712			584,914
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities		(179,847	)		118,712			584,914
Financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of debt		—			293,877			—
Payment of debt issuance costs		—			(5,988	)		—
Repayment of debt		(300,000	)		—			(525,000	)
Issuance of common stock		525,000			3,466			1,114
Payment of common stock issuance costs		(35,439	)		—			—
Exercise of stock options		12,539			—			—
Repurchase of common stock		(6,434	)		(13,363	)		(14,324	)
Repurchase of stock options		(50,649	)		—			—
Intercompany with subsidiary		(153	)		156			—
Dividends paid to common shareholders		—			(567,851	)		(288,322	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		144,864			(289,703	)		(826,532	)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		69,531			801			(2,124	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		2,411			1,610			3,734
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	71,942		$	2,411		$	1,610
QUINTILES TRANSNATIONAL HOLDINGS INC. (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The condensed parent company financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Rule 12-04, Schedule I of Regulation S-X as the restricted net assets of Quintiles Transnational Holdings Inc.’s (the “Company”) wholly-owned subsidiary, Quintiles Transnational Corp. (“Quintiles Transnational”) exceed 25% of the consolidated net assets of the Company. The ability of Quintiles Transnational to pay dividends may be limited due to the restrictive covenants in the agreements governing its credit arrangements.
These condensed parent company financial statements include the accounts of Quintiles Transnational Holdings, Inc. on a standalone basis (the “Parent”) and the equity method of accounting is used to reflect ownership interest in its subsidiary. Refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes presented elsewhere herein for additional information and disclosures with respect to these financial statements.
Since the Parent is part of a group that files a consolidated income tax return, in accordance with ASC 740, a portion of the consolidated amount of current and deferred income tax expense of the Company has been allocated to the Parent. The income tax benefit of $9.3 million, $7.6 million and $21.0 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, represents the income tax benefit that will be or were already utilized in the Company’s consolidated United States federal and state income tax returns. If the Parent was not part of these consolidated income tax returns, it would not be able to recognize any income tax benefit, as it generates no revenue against which the losses could be used on a separate filer basis.
Below is a summary of the dividends paid to the Parent by Quintiles Transnational in 2013, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):
	Amount
Paid in November and December 2013	$	116,585
Paid in February 2013		5,400
Total paid in 2013	$	121,985
Paid in November 2012	$	6,000
Paid in October 2012		241,700
Paid in August 2012		6,300
Paid in May 2012		4,800
Paid in March 2012		50,000
Paid in February 2012		10,000
Total paid in 2012	$	318,800
Paid in August 2011	$	5,200
Paid in May 2011		30,700
Total paid in 2011	$	35,900

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]	'
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	'
	Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
	Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance
	Information presented below is in thousands:
					Additions
			Balance at		Charged to		Charged to		Deductions			Balance at
			Beginning		Expenses		Other		(a)			End of Year
			of Year				Accounts
	December 31, 2013		$	32,344	$	3,611	$	—	$	(6,454	)	$	29,501
	December 31, 2012		$	31,669	$	4,173	$	—	$	(3,498	)	$	32,344
	December 31, 2011		$	38,281	$	4,883	$	961	$	(12,456	)	$	31,669
	(a)	– Impact of reductions recorded to expense, dispositions and translation adjustments.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Initial Public Offering	'
	Initial Public Offering
	On May 9, 2013, the Company’s common stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “Q”. On May 14, 2013, the Company completed its initial public offering (“IPO”) of its common stock at a price to the public of $40.00 per share. The Company issued and sold 13,125,000 shares of common stock in the IPO. The selling shareholders offered and sold 14,111,841 shares of common stock in the IPO, including 3,552,631 shares that were offered and sold by the selling shareholders pursuant to the full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares. The IPO raised proceeds to the Company of approximately $489.6 million, after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and related expenses. The Company did not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares sold by the selling shareholders.
Reclassifications	'
	Reclassifications
	Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These changes had no effect on previously reported total revenues, net income, comprehensive income, shareholders’ deficit or cash flows.
Principles of Consolidation	'
	Principles of Consolidation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of the Company and its subsidiaries. Amounts pertaining to the noncontrolling ownership interests held in third parties in the operating results and financial position of the Company’s majority-owned subsidiaries are reported as noncontrolling interests. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. These estimates are based on historical experience and various other assumptions believed reasonable under the circumstances. The Company evaluates its estimates on an ongoing basis and makes changes to the estimates and related disclosures as experience develops or new information becomes known. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
Foreign Currencies	'
	Foreign Currencies
	The Company’s financial statements are reported in United States dollars and, accordingly, fluctuations in exchange rates will affect the translation of its revenues and expenses denominated in foreign currencies into United States dollars for purposes of reporting its consolidated financial results. Assets and liabilities recorded in foreign currencies on the books of foreign subsidiaries are translated at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. Revenues, costs and expenses are translated at average rates of exchange during the year. Translation adjustments resulting from this process are charged or credited to the accumulated other comprehensive income component of shareholders’ deficit. The Company is subject to foreign currency transaction risk for fluctuations in exchange rates during the period of time between the consummation and cash settlement of a transaction. The Company earns revenue from its service contracts over a period of several months and, in some cases, over a period of several years. Accordingly, exchange rate fluctuations during this period may affect the Company’s profitability with respect to such contracts. Foreign currency transactions of approximately $4.0 million loss, $1.1 million loss and $1.9 million gain are included in other (income) expense, net in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Investments	'
	Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Investments
	The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an initial maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company’s restricted cash primarily consisted of amounts collateralizing standby letters of credit issued in favor of certain suppliers and health insurance funds. Investments in marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale and measured at fair market value with net unrealized gains and losses recorded in the accumulated other comprehensive income component of shareholders’ deficit until realized. The fair market value is based on the closing price as quoted by the respective stock exchange. In addition, the Company has investments in equity securities of companies for which there are not readily available market values and for which the Company does not exercise significant influence or control; such investments are accounted for using the cost method. Any gains or losses from the sales of investments or other-than-temporary declines in fair value are computed by specific identification.
Equity Method Investments	'
	Equity Method Investments
	The Company’s investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates are accounted for under the equity method if the Company exercises significant influence or has an investment in a limited partnership that is considered to be greater than minor. These investments and advances are classified as investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company records its pro rata share of the earnings, adjusted for accretion of basis difference, of these investments in equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates on the accompanying consolidated statements of income. Accretion recognized in 2013, 2012 and 2011 was approximately $100,000, $183,000 and $1.0 million, respectively. The Company reviews its investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable.
Derivatives	'
	Derivatives
	The Company uses derivative instruments to manage exposures to interest rates and foreign currencies. The Company also holds freestanding warrants. Derivatives are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value at each balance sheet date utilizing pricing models for non-exchange-traded contracts. At inception, the Company designates whether or not the derivative instrument is an effective hedge of an asset, liability or firm commitment which is then classified as either a cash flow hedge or a fair value hedge. If determined to be an effective cash flow hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income until realized. We include the impact from these hedges in the same line item as the hedged item on the consolidated statements of cash flows. Changes in fair value of effective fair value hedges are recorded in earnings as an offset to the changes in the fair value of the related hedged item. Hedge ineffectiveness, if any, is immediately recognized in earnings. Changes in the fair values of derivative instruments that are not an effective hedge are recognized in earnings. The Company has entered, and may in the future enter, into derivative contracts (swaps, forwards, calls or puts, warrants, for example) related to its debt, investments in marketable equity securities and forecasted foreign currency transactions.
Billed and Unbilled Services and Unearned Income	'
	Billed and Unbilled Services and Unearned Income
	In general, prerequisites for billings and payments are established by contractual provisions including predetermined payment schedules, which may or may not correspond to the timing of the performance of services under the contract. Unbilled services arise when services have been rendered for which revenue has been recognized but the customers have not been billed.
	In some cases, payments received are in excess of revenue recognized. Payments received in advance of services being provided are deferred as unearned income on the consolidated balance sheet. As the contracted services are subsequently performed and the associated revenue is recognized, the unearned income balance is reduced by the amount of the revenue recognized during the period.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	'
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts is determined based on a variety of factors that affect the potential collectability of the related receivables, including length of time the receivables are past due, customer credit ratings, financial stability of the customer, specific one-time events and past customer history. In addition, in circumstances where the Company is made aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, a specific allowance is established. The accounts are individually evaluated on a regular basis and appropriate reserves are established as deemed appropriate based on the above criteria.
Business Combinations	'
	Business Combinations
	Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method, and accordingly, the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree are recorded at their estimated fair values on the date of the acquisition. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired, including the amount assigned to identifiable intangible assets. When a business combination involves contingent consideration, the Company recognizes a liability equal to the estimated fair value of the contingent consideration obligation at the date of the acquisition. Subsequent changes in the estimated fair value of the contingent consideration are recognized in earnings in the period of the change.
Long-Lived Assets	'
	Long-Lived Assets
	Property and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over the shorter of the asset’s estimated useful life or the lease term, if related to leased property, as follows:
	Buildings and leasehold improvements	3 - 40 years
	Equipment	3 - 10 years
	Furniture and fixtures	5 - 10 years
	Motor vehicles	3 - 5 years
	Definite-lived identifiable intangible assets are amortized primarily using an accelerated method that reflects the pattern in which the Company expects to benefit from the use of the asset over its estimated remaining useful life as follows:
	Trademarks and trade names	1 - 8 years
	Product licensing and distribution rights	1 - 7 years
	Non-compete agreements	2 - 4 years
	Contract backlog and customer relationships	1 - 12 years
	Software and related assets	3 - 5 years
	Goodwill and indefinite-lived identifiable intangible assets, which consist of certain trade names, are not amortized but evaluated for impairment annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate an impairment.
	Included in software and related items is the capitalized cost of internal-use software used in supporting the Company’s business. Qualifying costs incurred during the application development stage are capitalized and amortized over their estimated useful lives. The Company recognized $32.2 million, $27.4 million and $19.9 million of amortization expense in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, related to software and related assets.
	The carrying values of property, equipment and intangible and other long-lived assets are reviewed for recoverability if the facts and circumstances suggest that a potential impairment may have occurred. If this review indicates that carrying values will not be recoverable, as determined based on undiscounted cash flow projections, the Company will record an impairment charge to reduce carrying values to estimated fair value. There were no events, facts or circumstances in 2013 and 2012 that resulted in any impairment charges to the Company’s property, equipment, intangible or other long-lived assets. In 2011, the Company recognized a $12.2 million impairment charge related to long-lived assets in its early clinical development service offerings.
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition
	The Company recognizes revenue when all of the following conditions are satisfied: (1) there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement; (2) the service offering has been delivered to the customer; (3) the collection of the fees is probable; and (4) the arrangement consideration is fixed or determinable. The Company’s arrangements are primarily service contracts that range in duration from a few months to several years. Most contracts may be terminated upon 30 to 90 days notice by the customer, however, in the event of termination, contract provisions typically require payment for services rendered through the date of termination, as well as for subsequent services rendered to close out the contract.
	In some cases, contracts provide for consideration that is contingent upon the occurrence of uncertain future events. The Company recognizes contingent revenue when the contingency has been resolved and all other criteria for revenue recognition have been met. The Company treats cash payments to customers as incentives to induce the customers to enter into such a service agreement with the Company. The related asset is amortized as a reduction of revenue over the period the services are performed. The Company records revenues net of any tax assessments by governmental authorities, such as value added taxes, that are imposed on and concurrent with specific revenue generating transactions. The Company does not recognize revenue with respect to start-up activities including contract and scope negotiation, feasibility analysis and conflict of interest review associated with contracts. The costs for these activities are expensed as incurred.
	For the arrangements that include multiple elements, arrangement consideration is allocated to units of accounting based on the relative selling price. The best evidence of selling price of a unit of accounting is vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”), which is the price the Company charges when the deliverable is sold separately. When VSOE is not available to determine selling price, management uses relevant third-party evidence (“TPE”) of selling price, if available. When neither VSOE nor TPE of selling price exists, management uses its best estimate of selling price considering all relevant information that is available without undue cost and effort.
	The majority of the Company’s contracts within the Product Development segment are service contracts for clinical research that represent a single unit of accounting. The Company recognizes revenue on its clinical research services contracts as services are performed primarily on a proportional-performance basis, generally using output measures that are specific to the service provided. Examples of output measures include among others, number of investigators enrolled, number of site initiation visits and number of monitoring visits completed. Revenue is determined by dividing the actual units of work completed by the total units of work required under the contract and multiplying that ratio by the total contract value. The total contract value, or total contractual payments, represents the aggregate contracted price for each of the agreed upon services to be provided. Changes in the scope of work are common, especially under long-term contracts, and generally result in a change in contract value. Once the customer has agreed to the changes in scope and renegotiated pricing terms, the contract value is amended and revenue is recognized, as described above. To the extent that contracts involve multiple elements, the Company follows the allocation methodology described above and recognizes revenue for each unit of accounting on a proportional performance basis.
	The Company derives the majority of its revenues in its Integrated Healthcare Services segment from providing commercialization services on a fee-for-service basis to customers within the biopharmaceutical industry. Fees on these arrangements are billed based on a contractual per-diem or hourly rate basis. The Company recognizes revenue on commercialization services contracts primarily on a time and materials basis. Some of the Company’s commercialization contracts are multiple element arrangements, with elements including recruiting, training and deployment of sales representatives. The nature of the terms of these multiple element arrangements will vary based on the customized needs of the Company’s customers. For contracts that have multiple elements, the Company follows the allocation methodology described above and recognizes revenue for each unit of accounting on a time and materials basis. The Company’s commercialization contracts sometimes include variable fees that are based on a percentage of product sales (royalty payments). The Company recognizes revenue on royalty payments when the variable components become fixed or determinable and all other revenue recognition criteria have been met, which generally only occurs upon the sale of the underlying product(s) and upon the Company’s receipt of information necessary to make a reasonable estimate.
Reimbursed Expenses	'
	Reimbursed Expenses
	The Company includes reimbursed expenses in total revenues and costs of revenue as the Company is deemed to be the primary obligor in the applicable arrangements. These costs include such items as payments to investigators and travel expenses for the Company’s clinical monitors and sales representatives.
Expenses	'
	Expenses
	Costs of revenue include reimbursed expenses, compensation and benefits for billable employees, depreciation of assets used in generating revenue and other expenses directly related to service contracts such as courier fees and laboratory supplies for the Company’s laboratory services, professional services and travel expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses primarily include costs related to administrative functions such as compensation and benefits, travel, professional services, training and expenses for advertising, information technology, facilities and depreciation and amortization.
Concentration of Credit Risk	'
	Concentration of Credit Risk
	Financial instruments that subject the Company to credit risk primarily consist of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and accounts receivable. The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalent balances with high-quality financial institutions and, consequently, the Company believes that such funds are subject to minimal credit risk. Investment policies have been implemented that limit purchases of marketable securities to investment grade securities. Substantially all service revenues for Product Development and Integrated Healthcare Services are earned by performing services under contracts with various pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and healthcare companies. The concentration of credit risk is equal to the outstanding accounts receivable and unbilled services balances, less the unearned income related thereto, and such risk is subject to the financial and industry conditions of the Company’s customers. The Company does not require collateral or other securities to support customer receivables. Credit losses have been immaterial and reasonably within management’s expectations. No customer accounted for 10.0% or more of consolidated service revenues in 2013, 2012 or 2011.
Research and Development Costs	'
	Research and Development Costs
	Research and development costs consist primarily of employee compensation and related expenses and information technology contract services. The following is a summary of the research and development expenses (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012		2011
	Internally developed software applications and computer technology	$	3,955		$	9,907	$	9,447
	Funding of customer’s research and development activity		1,000			—		—
	Collaboration agreement with HUYA		—			519		539
		$	4,955		$	10,426	$	9,986
	In January 2010, the Company entered into a collaboration agreement with a related party, HUYA Bioscience International, LLC (“HUYA”), to fund up to $2.3 million of its research and development activity for a specific compound. The funding consisted of $1.0 million in cash which was paid and expensed in 2010 and $1.3 million of services provided by the Company, which have been fully provided. In return for the $2.3 million in funding, the Company has the potential to receive additional consideration which contractually may not exceed $16.5 million excluding interest if certain events were to occur.
Advertising Costs	'
	Advertising Costs
	Advertising costs, which include the development and production of advertising materials and the communication of these materials, are charged to expense as incurred. The Company incurred approximately $14.8 million, $14.5 million and $13.2 million in advertising expense in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Restructuring Costs	'
	Restructuring Costs
	Restructuring costs, which primarily include termination benefits and facility closure costs, are recorded at estimated fair value. Key assumptions in determining the restructuring costs include the terms and payments that may be negotiated to terminate certain contractual obligations and the timing of employees leaving the Company.
Contingencies	'
	Contingencies
	The Company records accruals for claims, suits, investigations and proceedings when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company reviews claims, suits, investigations and proceedings at least quarterly and records or adjusts accruals related to such matters to reflect the impact and status of any settlements, rulings, advice of counsel or other information pertinent to a particular matter. Legal costs associated with contingencies are charged to expense as incurred.
	The Company is party to legal proceedings incidental to its business. While the outcome of these matters could differ from management’s expectations, the Company does not believe the resolution of these matters has a reasonable possibility of having a material adverse effect to the Company’s financial statements.
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	Income tax expense includes United States federal, state and international income taxes. Certain items of income and expense are not reported in income tax returns and financial statements in the same year. The income tax effects of these differences are reported as deferred income taxes. Valuation allowances are provided to reduce the related deferred income tax assets to an amount which will, more likely than not, be realized. Beginning in 2013, the undistributed earnings of most of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are considered to be indefinitely reinvested outside of the United States. Accordingly, a deferred income tax liability has not been provided related to those undistributed earnings. Interest and penalties related to unrecognized income tax benefits are recognized as a component of income tax expense as discussed further in Note 17.
Employee Stock Compensation	'
	Employee Stock Compensation
	The Company accounts for share-based compensation for stock options and stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) under the fair value method and uses the Black-Scholes-Merton model to estimate the value of such share-based awards granted to its employees and non-executive directors using the assumptions noted in the following table. Expected volatility is based upon the historical volatility of a peer group for a period equal to the expected term, as the Company does not have adequate history to calculate its own volatility and believes the expected volatility will approximate the historical volatility of the peer group. Prior to the IPO, the expected dividends were based on the historical dividends paid by the Company, excluding dividends that resulted from activities that the Company deemed to be one-time in nature. Following the IPO, the Company does not currently anticipate paying dividends. The expected term represents the period of time the grants are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free interest rate is based on the United States Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant.
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012	2011
	Expected volatility	18 – 47%		33 – 53%	40 – 53%
	Weighted average expected volatility	40%		40%	42%
	Expected dividends	0.0 – 5.45%		4.82%	4.10%
	Expected term (in years)	0.25 – 6.4		2.0 – 7.0	2.7 – 6.7
	Risk-free interest rate	0.04 – 2.24%		0.29 – 1.31%	0.30 – 2.995%
	The Company accounts for its share-based compensation for restricted stock units (“RSUs”) based on the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.
	The Company recognized share-based compensation expense as follows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012		2011
	Share-based compensation expense	$	22,826		$	25,926	$	14,130
	Share-based compensation expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the accompanying consolidated statements of income based upon the classification of the employees who were granted the share-based awards. The associated future income tax benefit recognized was $8.1 million, $6.9 million and $4.2 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, there was approximately $36.6 million of total unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to outstanding non-vested share-based compensation arrangements, which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted average period of 1.75 years.
Earnings Per Share	'
	Earnings Per Share
	The calculation of earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares or common stock equivalents outstanding during the applicable period. The dilutive effect of common stock equivalents is excluded from basic earnings per share and is included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share. Potentially dilutive securities include outstanding stock options, shares to be purchased under the Company’s employee stock purchase plan (see Note 18) and unvested RSUs.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Property and Equipment at Cost Using Straight-Line Method	'
	Property and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over the shorter of the asset’s estimated useful life or the lease term, if related to leased property, as follows:
	Buildings and leasehold improvements	3 - 40 years
	Equipment	3 - 10 years
	Furniture and fixtures	5 - 10 years
	Motor vehicles	3 - 5 years
Definite-Lived Identifiable Intangible Assets Amortized	'
	Definite-lived identifiable intangible assets are amortized primarily using an accelerated method that reflects the pattern in which the Company expects to benefit from the use of the asset over its estimated remaining useful life as follows:
	Trademarks and trade names	1 - 8 years
	Product licensing and distribution rights	1 - 7 years
	Non-compete agreements	2 - 4 years
	Contract backlog and customer relationships	1 - 12 years
	Software and related assets	3 - 5 years
Summary of Research and Development Expenses	'
	The following is a summary of the research and development expenses (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012		2011
	Internally developed software applications and computer technology	$	3,955		$	9,907	$	9,447
	Funding of customer’s research and development activity		1,000			—		—
	Collaboration agreement with HUYA		—			519		539
		$	4,955		$	10,426	$	9,986
Assumptions Used to Estimate the Value of Share-Based Awards	'
	The risk-free interest rate is based on the United States Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant.
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012	2011
	Expected volatility	18 – 47%		33 – 53%	40 – 53%
	Weighted average expected volatility	40%		40%	42%
	Expected dividends	0.0 – 5.45%		4.82%	4.10%
	Expected term (in years)	0.25 – 6.4		2.0 – 7.0	2.7 – 6.7
	Risk-free interest rate	0.04 – 2.24%		0.29 – 1.31%	0.30 – 2.995%
Summary of Share-Based Compensation Expense	'
	The Company recognized share-based compensation expense as follows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012		2011
	Share-based compensation expense	$	22,826		$	25,926	$	14,130

Accounts_Receivable_and_Unbill1

Accounts Receivable and Unbilled Services (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Accounts Receivable and Unbilled Services	'
	Accounts receivable and unbilled services consist of the following (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Trade:
	Billed	$	408,959		$	346,732
	Unbilled services		516,942			400,610
			925,901			747,342
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		(1,696	)		(1,969	)
		$	924,205		$	745,373
Percentage of Accounts Receivable and Unbilled Services by Region	'
	The percentage of accounts receivable and unbilled services by region is as follows:
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Americas:
	United States		53	%		51	%
	Other		2			2
	Americas		55			53
	Europe and Africa:
	United Kingdom		25			26
	Other		12			12
	Europe and Africa		37			38
	Asia-Pacific:
	Japan		4			5
	Other		4			4
	Asia-Pacific		8			9
			100	%		100	%

Investments_Debt_Equity_and_Ot1

Investments - Debt, Equity and Other Securities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Summary of the Company's Debt, Equity and Other Securities	'
	The following is a summary of the Company’s debt, equity and other securities (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Marketable securities	$	7,668	$	2,427
	Cost method		32,681		33,524
		$	40,349	$	35,951
Summary of Available-for-Sale Securities	'
	The following is a summary of available-for-sale securities (in thousands):
		December 31, 2013						December 31, 2012
	Available-for-Sale Securities	Amortized Cost		Gross		Market Value		Amortized Cost		Gross		Market Value
				Unrealized						Unrealized
				Gains						Gains
	Marketable equity	$	1,960	$	5,708	$	7,668	$	1,960	$	467	$	2,427
Summary of the Company's Portfolio of Cost Method Investments	'
	Below is a summary of the Company’s portfolio of cost method investments (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Venture capital funds	$	—	$	64
	Equity investments		32,516		33,298
	Convertible note		165		162
		$	32,681	$	33,524

Investments_in_and_Advances_to1

Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Affiliates (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates Schedule Of Investments [Abstract]	'
Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Affiliates	'
	The Company accounts for its investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates under the equity method of accounting and records its pro rata share of its losses or earnings from these investments in equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated affiliates. The following is a summary of the Company’s investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2013		2012
	NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund III, L.P. (the “Fund”)	$	11,792	$	10,617
	Oxford Cancer Biomarkers		4,141		4,497
	Cenduit™		6,431		3,479
	Other		563		555
		$	22,927	$	19,148

Derivatives_Tables

Derivatives (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of Fair Values of Derivative Instruments Designated as Hedges	'
	The fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments designated as hedging instruments and the line items on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets to which they were recorded are summarized in the following table (in thousands):
				December 31,
		Balance Sheet Classification		2013				2012
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	Other current assets		$	3,950			$	465
	Interest rate swaps	Other current liabilities		$	24,805			$	34,007
Effect of Cash Flow Hedging Instruments on Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	The effect of the Company’s cash flow hedging instruments on other comprehensive income (loss) is summarized in the following table (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013				2012				2011
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	3,485			$	2,327			$	(1,867	)
	Interest rate swaps		9,202				(9,524	)			(10,270	)
	Total	$	12,687			$	(7,197	)		$	(12,137	)
Deposits and other assets [Member]	'
Summary of Details Relating to Fair Value / Gains (Losses) of Derivative Instruments not Designated as Hedges	'
	The fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments and the line items on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets to which they were recorded are summarized in the following table (in thousands):
				December 31,
		Balance Sheet Classification		2013				2012
	Warrants	Deposits and other assets		$	211			$	29
Other (income) expense, net [Member]	'
Summary of Details Relating to Fair Value / Gains (Losses) of Derivative Instruments not Designated as Hedges	'
	(Gains) losses from derivative instruments not designated as hedges impacting the Company’s consolidated statements of income are summarized below (in thousands):
				Year Ended December 31,
		Income Statement Classification		2013				2012				2011
	Warrants	Other (income) expense, net		$	(182	)		$	(17	)		$	28
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	Other (income) expense, net			—				588				177
	Total			$	(182	)		$	571			$	205

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis	'
	The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3			Total
	Assets:
	Marketable equity securities	$	7,668	$	—	$	—		$	7,668
	Foreign exchange forward contracts		—		3,950		—			3,950
	Warrants		—		—		211			211
	Total	$	7,668	$	3,950	$	211		$	11,829
	Liabilities:
	Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	24,805	$	—		$	24,805
	Contingent consideration		—		—		13,014			13,014
	Total	$	—	$	24,805	$	13,014		$	37,819
	The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3			Total
	Assets:
	Marketable equity securities	$	2,427	$	—	$	—		$	2,427
	Foreign exchange forward contracts		—		465		—			465
	Warrants		—		—		29			29
	Total	$	2,427	$	465	$	29		$	2,921
	Liabilities:
	Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	34,007	$	—		$	34,007
	Contingent consideration		—		—		3,521			3,521
	Total	$	—	$	34,007	$	3,521		$	37,528
Changes in Level 3 Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis	'
	The following table summarizes the changes in Level 3 financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis for the year ended December 31 (in thousands):
		Warrants –							Contingent Consideration –
		Deposits and Other Assets							Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities
		2013		2012		2011			2013			2012			2011
	Balance as of January 1	$	29	$	12	$	—		$	3,521		$	6,165		$	—
	Purchases and issuances		—		—		40			—			—			—
	Initial estimate of contingent consideration		—		—		—			14,300			1,990			6,165
	Revaluations included in earnings		182		17		(28	)		(4,807	)		(4,634	)		—
	Balance as of December 31	$	211	$	29	$	12		$	13,014		$	3,521		$	6,165

Property_and_Equipment_Tables

Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Summary of Major Classes of Property and Equipment	'
	The major classes of property and equipment were as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Land, buildings and leasehold improvements	$	184,726		$	182,548
	Equipment		222,858			197,384
	Furniture and fixtures		55,741			52,498
	Motor vehicles		17,801			19,035
			481,126			451,465
	Less accumulated depreciation		(281,548	)		(257,466	)
		$	199,578		$	193,999

Goodwill_and_Identifiable_Inta1

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Amortization Expense Associated with Identifiable Definite-Lived Intangible Assets	'
	Amortization expense associated with identifiable definite-lived intangible assets was as follows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Amortization expense	$	51,450		$	46,440		$	35,549
Summary of Identifiable Intangible Assets	'
	The following is a summary of identifiable intangible assets (in thousands):
		As of December 31, 2013									As of December 31, 2012
		Gross			Accumulated			Net			Gross		Accumulated			Net
		Amount			Amortization			Amount			Amount		Amortization			Amount
	Definite-lived identifiable intangible assets:
	Product licensing and distribution rights and customer relationships	$	115,895		$	(35,027	)	$	80,868		$	83,273	$	(21,553	)	$	61,720
	Trademarks, trade names and other		52,053			(37,450	)		14,603			44,263		(32,870	)		11,393
	Software and related assets		232,468			(139,561	)		92,907			201,800		(111,776	)		90,024
		$	400,416		$	(212,038	)	$	188,378		$	329,336	$	(166,199	)	$	163,137
	Indefinite-lived identifiable intangible assets:
	Trade name	$	109,676		$	—		$	109,676		$	109,676	$	—		$	109,676
Summary of Goodwill by Segment	'
	The following is a summary of goodwill by segment for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
		Product			Integrated			Consolidated
		Development			Healthcare
					Services
	Balance as of December 31, 2011	$	216,264		$	61,777		$	278,041
	Acquisition		28,201			—			28,201
	Reallocation between segments		(5,800	)		5,800			—
	Impact of foreign currency fluctuations		(908	)		(2,905	)		(3,813	)
	Balance as of December 31, 2012		237,757			64,672			302,429
	Acquisition		116,542			—			116,542
	Impact of foreign currency fluctuations		(3,155	)		(6,190	)		(9,345	)
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	351,144		$	58,482		$	409,626

Accrued_Expenses_Tables

Accrued Expenses (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]	'
Accrued Expenses	'
	Accrued expenses consist of the following (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Compensation, including bonuses, fringe benefits and payroll taxes	$	437,138	$	360,649
	Restructuring		5,474		12,784
	Interest		278		368
	Contract related		240,548		207,982
	Other		77,751		76,336
		$	761,189	$	658,119

Credit_Arrangements_Tables

Credit Arrangements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of Company's Credit Facilities	'
	The following is a summary of the Company’s revolving credit facilities at December 31, 2013:
	Facility	Interest Rates
	$300.0 million (first lien revolving credit facility)	One month LIBOR (0.17% at December 31, 2013) plus 2.50% to 2.75% depending upon the Company’s total leverage ratio
	£10.0 million (approximately $16.5 million) general banking facility with a European headquartered bank	Bank’s base rate (0.5% at December 31, 2013) plus 1%
Schedule of Long-term Debt	'
	Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Term Loan B-3 due 2018 ((the greater of three month LIBOR or 1.25%) plus 2.50%, or 3.75% at December 31, 2013)	$	2,060,756		$	—
	Term Loan B-2 due 2018		—			1,970,000
	Term Loan B-1 due 2018		—			174,563
	7.5% Term Loan due 2017		—			300,000
	Other notes payable		7			43
			2,060,763			2,444,606
	Less: unamortized discount		(14,975	)		(22,908	)
	Less: current portion		(10,307	)		(55,594	)
		$	2,035,481		$	2,366,104
Contractual Maturities of Long-term Debt	'
	Contractual maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
	2014	$	10,307
	2015		20,600
	2016		20,600
	2017		20,600
	2018		1,988,656
		$	2,060,763

Leases_Tables

Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Leases [Abstract]	'
Summary of Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Capital and Operating Leases	'
	The following is a summary of future minimum payments under capital and operating leases that have initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year at December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		Capital			Operating
		Leases			Leases
	2014	$	132		$	98,154
	2015		90			75,997
	2016		16			61,752
	2017		—			47,036
	2018		—			31,979
	Thereafter		—			99,320
	Total minimum lease payments		238		$	414,238
	Amounts representing interest		(7	)
	Present value of net minimum payments		231
	Current portion		(126	)
	Long-term capital lease obligations	$	105

Business_Combinations_Tables

Business Combinations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Summary of Estimated Fair Value of Net Assets Acquired at the Date of Acquisition	'
	The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired at the date of the acquisitions (in thousands):
		Novella			EA			Advion			Outcome
	Assets acquired:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	26,190		$	441		$	—		$	12,128
	Accounts receivable and unbilled services		28,644			1,920			6,193			14,076
	Other current assets		1,441			2,952			1,015			5,404
	Property and equipment		9,616			4,731			8,292			2,610
	Goodwill		116,542			28,201			27,995			130,762
	Other identifiable intangibles, net		42,740			9,460			12,120			45,900
	Deferred income tax asset – long-term		—			—			9,468			—
	Other long-term assets		2,203			—			—			480
	Liabilities assumed:
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses		(12,716	)		(3,574	)		(1,731	)		(3,186	)
	Unearned income		(7,782	)		(411	)		(1,077	)		(11,953	)
	Other current liabilities		(132	)		(101	)		(5,583	)		(3,566	)
	Deferred income tax liability – long-term		(18,364	)		(1,707	)		—			(15,635	)
	Other long-term liabilities		(1,334	)		(226	)		(282	)		—
	Net assets acquired	$	187,048		$	41,686		$	56,410		$	177,020
Summary Of Identifiable Definite Lived Intangible Assets	'
	The identifiable definite-lived intangible assets consisted of the following:
		Novella			EA			Advion			Outcome
	Other identifiable intangibles, net (in thousands)
	Customer relationships	$	20,800		$	9,000		$	9,400		$	27,600
	Acquired backlog		14,000			170			2,500			11,800
	Trade names		7,500			290			170			4,900
	Non-compete agreements		440			—			50			1,600
	Total other identifiable intangibles, net	$	42,740		$	9,460		$	12,120		$	45,900
	Amortized over a weighted average useful life (in years)		7			11			8			9

Restructuring_Tables

Restructuring (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Summary of Amounts Recorded for Restructuring Plans	'
	As of December 31, 2013, the following amounts were recorded for the restructuring plans discussed above (in thousands):
				Severance and Related Costs									Exit Costs
		Balance at		Expense,			Payments			Foreign			Expense,			Payments			Foreign			Balance at
		December 31,		Net of						Currency			Net of						Currency			December 31,
		2012		Reversals						Translation			Reversals						Translation			2013
	2013 Plan	$	—	$	14,232		$	(11,130	)	$	123		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	3,225
	2012 Plan		11,220		(263	)		(9,450	)		(40	)		377			(111	)		—			1,733
	Prior Year Plans		1,564		(251	)		(744	)		15			(24	)		(43	)		(1	)		516
		$	12,784	$	13,718		$	(21,324	)	$	98		$	353		$	(154	)	$	(1	)	$	5,474
	As of December 31, 2012, the following amounts were recorded for the restructuring plans discussed above (in thousands):
				Severance and Related Costs									Exit Costs
		Balance at		Expense,			Payments			Foreign			Expense,			Payments			Foreign			Balance at
		December 31,		Net of						Currency			Net of						Currency			December 31,
		2011		Reversals						Translation			Reversals						Translation			2012
	2012 Plan	$	—	$	19,997		$	(9,028	)	$	251		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	11,220
	2011 Plan		12,522		(1,901	)		(5,149	)		52			941			(5,304	)		73			1,234
	Prior Year Plans		2,338		(268	)		(1,727	)		15			(28	)		—			—			330
		$	14,860	$	17,828		$	(15,904	)	$	318		$	913		$	(5,304	)	$	73		$	12,784

Impairments_Tables

Impairments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Impairments Recognized	'
	The following table is a summary of the impairments recognized by the Company, including those described in Note 3 (in thousands):
		Year Ended
		December 31,
		2011
	Non-marketable equity securities	$	145
	Long-lived assets		12,150
	Total impairments recognized	$	12,295

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Components of Income Before Income Taxes and Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates	'
	The components of income before income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates are as follows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Domestic	$	68,425		$	31,204		$	(30,334	)
	Foreign		254,691			236,224			215,009
		$	323,116		$	267,428		$	184,675
Components of Income Tax Expense Attributable to Continuing Operations	'
	The components of income tax expense attributable to continuing operations are as follows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Current expense (benefit):
	Federal	$	38,573		$	18,236		$	10,324
	State		(4,309	)		1,384			3,875
	Foreign		83,744			58,712			70,905
			118,008			78,332			85,104
	Deferred (benefit) expense:
	Federal and state		(15,807	)		16,023			(47,517	)
	Foreign		(6,236	)		(991	)		(22,482	)
			(22,043	)		15,032			(69,999	)
		$	95,965		$	93,364		$	15,105
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	'
	The differences between the Company’s consolidated income tax expense attributable to continuing operations and the expense computed at the 35% United States statutory income tax rate were as follows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Federal income tax expense at statutory rate	$	113,091		$	93,600		$	64,636
	State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit		(1,088	)		(914	)		3,487
	Research and development		(12,788	)		(17,096	)		(14,111	)
	Foreign nontaxable interest income		(9,751	)		(7,864	)		(8,375	)
	Transaction costs		343			291			16,932
	Gain on note settlement		10,794			—			—
	US taxes recorded on foreign earnings		(1,616	)		23,236			(33,180	)
	Foreign rate differential		(10,753	)		(8,396	)		145
	(Decrease) increase in valuation allowance		(178	)		401			(9,939	)
	Effect of changes in apportionment and tax rates		(492	)		1,872			663
	Foreign tax contingencies		2,069			104			(16,609	)
	Future foreign branch earnings		606			858			7,249
	Other		5,728			7,272			4,207
		$	95,965		$	93,364		$	15,105
Income Tax Effects of Temporary Differences from Continuing Operations that Give Rise to Significant Portions of Deferred Income Tax (Liabilities) Assets	'
	for the year ended December 31, 2011 was positively impacted by a $48.7 million income tax benefit for this change in estimate.
	The income tax effects of temporary differences from continuing operations that give rise to significant portions of deferred income tax (liabilities) assets are presented below (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Deferred income tax liabilities:
	Undistributed foreign earnings	$	(18,393	)	$	(44,972	)
	Depreciation and amortization		(78,486	)		(64,573	)
	Other		(12,700	)		(12,984	)
	Total deferred income tax liabilities		(109,579	)		(122,529	)
	Deferred income tax assets:
	Net operating loss, capital loss and foreign tax credit carryforwards		49,308			82,745
	Unrealized loss on investments		8,182			12,695
	Accrued expenses and unearned income		31,067			22,614
	Employee benefits		124,688			120,603
	Other		12,033			10,347
			225,278			249,004
	Valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets		(29,501	)		(32,344	)
	Total deferred income tax assets		195,777			216,660
	Net deferred income tax assets	$	86,198		$	94,131
Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Amount of Gross Unrecognized Income Tax Benefits	'
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized income tax benefits is presented below (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Balance at January 1	$	43,393		$	41,371		$	49,532
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		4,493			891			1,416
	Additions for income tax positions of prior years		12,854			2,230			2,039
	Impact of changes in exchange rates		(71	)		118			(286	)
	Settlements with tax authorities		(1,052	)		(179	)		(165	)
	Reductions for income tax positions of prior years		(3,520	)		(63	)		(1,052	)
	Reductions due to the lapse of the applicable statute of limitations		(1,161	)		(975	)		(10,113	)
	Balance at December 31	$	54,936		$	43,393		$	41,371
Summary of Tax Years Open for Examination	'
	The following table summarizes the tax years that remain open for examination by tax authorities in the most significant jurisdictions in which the Company operates:
	United States	2001-2012
	India	2006-2013
	Japan	2007-2012
	United Kingdom	2008-2010, 2012

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Tables

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Summary of Components of Pension Expenses Related to Defined Benefit Plans	'
	The following table summarizes the components of pension expense related to these defined benefit plans (in thousands):
			Year Ended December 31,
			2013				2012				2011
	Service cost		$	13,227			$	13,839			$	11,939
	Interest cost			3,684				3,775				3,762
	Expected return on plan assets			(3,442	)			(2,822	)			(3,048	)
	Amortization of prior service costs			336				411				413
	Amortization of actuarial losses			708				758				902
			$	14,513			$	15,961			$	13,968
Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Determining Pension Expense	'
	The weighted average assumptions used in determining pension expense were as follows:
			Year Ended December 31,
			2013				2012				2011
	Discount rate			3.06	%			3.32	%			3.68	%
	Rate of compensation increases			4.74	%			4.96	%			4.96	%
	Expected return on plan assets			5.33	%			5.23	%			6.17	%
Financial Information about Defined Benefit Plans	'
	The following table summarizes financial information about the Company’s defined benefit plans as measured on December 31 (in thousands):
			2013				2012
	Projected benefit obligation January 1		$	130,323			$	118,076
	Service costs			13,227				13,839
	Interest cost			3,684				3,775
	Expected return on plan assets			(3,442	)			(2,822	)
	Actuarial losses			1,890				9,469
	Benefits paid			(5,917	)			(7,132	)
	Foreign currency fluctuations and other			(4,655	)			(4,882	)
	Projected benefit obligation December 31		$	135,110			$	130,323
	Plan assets at fair value, January 1		$	68,258			$	55,590
	Actual return on plan assets			5,928				4,551
	Contributions			8,620				12,935
	Benefits paid			(5,917	)			(7,132	)
	Foreign currency fluctuations and other			5,898				2,314
	Plan assets at fair value, December 31		$	82,787			$	68,258
	Unfunded balance		$	52,323			$	62,065
Summary of Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets	'
	The following table summarizes the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets related to the defined benefit plans as of December 31 (in thousands):
			2013				2012
	Deposits and other assets		$	18,835			$	10,523
	Accrued expenses			8,622				9,787
	Other long-term liabilities			62,536				62,801
	Accumulated other comprehensive income		$	(5,044	)		$	(8,235	)
Summary of Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	The following table summarizes the amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income related to the defined benefit plans (in thousands):
			Prior Service				Actuarial				Deferred				Total
			Costs				Net (Gain)				Income
							Loss				Taxes
	Balance as of December 31, 2011		$	(854	)		$	(3,934	)		$	2,216			$	(2,572	)
	Reclassification adjustments included in pension expense:
	Amortization			411				758				(446	)			723
	Amounts arising during the period:
	Tax rate adjustments			—				—				(52	)			(52	)
	Actuarial changes in benefit obligation			—				(4,616	)			1,496				(3,120	)
	Balance as of December 31, 2012			(443	)			(7,792	)			3,214				(5,021	)
	Reclassification adjustments included in pension expense:
	Amortization			336				708				(389	)			655
	Amounts arising during the period:
	Tax rate adjustments			—				—				(26	)			(26	)
	Actuarial changes in benefit obligation			—				2,147				157				2,304
	Balance as of December 31, 2013		$	(107	)		$	(4,937	)		$	2,956			$	(2,088	)
Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Determining Pension Obligations	'
	The following table summarizes the weighted average assumptions used in determining the pension obligations as of December 31:
			Year Ended December 31,
			2013				2012
	Discount rate			3.01	%			3.06	%
	Rate of compensation increases			4.36	%			4.74	%
Schedule of Fair Value Measurement	'
	The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s defined benefit plans assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
			2013				2012
	Funds that hold debt investments primarily government bonds		$	19,826			$	31,315
	Funds that hold United Kingdom equity investments			8,393				22,924
	Funds that hold global equity investments			11,169				9,730
	Diversified growth fund			42,733				3,238
	Other			661				1,051
	Total		$	82,782			$	68,258
Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments Under the Defined Benefit Plans	'
	The following table summarizes the Company’s expected benefit payments under the defined benefit plans for each of the next five years and the aggregate of the five years thereafter (in thousands):
	2014		$	9,769
	2015			9,345
	2016			9,785
	2017			10,915
	2018			11,427
	Years 2019 through 2023			61,590
			$	112,831
Summary of Stock Option Activity	'
	The Company’s stock option activity in 2013 is as follows:
			Year Ended December 31,
			Number of				Weighted				Aggregate
			Options				Average				Intrinsic Value
							Exercise Price
											(in thousands)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012			11,054,690			$	17.17			$	142,626
	Granted			2,363,500				40.08
	Exercised			(916,620	)			13.68
	Cash settled			(1,990,540	)			13.74
	Canceled			(410,870	)			29.95
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013			10,100,160			$	23			$	235,729
Schedule of Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable	'
	Selected information regarding the Company’s stock options as of December 31, 2013 is as follows:
	Options Outstanding																Options Exercisable
	Number of Options				Exercise Price Range				Weighted Average				Weighted Average				Number of Options		Weighted Average
									Exercise Price				Remaining Life						Exercise Price
													(in Years)
		1,845,650			$	4.70 - $13.06			$	11.2				3.3				1,771,650	$	11.22
		1,646,900			$	13.40 - $15.88			$	15.28				4.29				1,466,700	$	15.36
		1,692,755			$	17.11 - $21.20			$	19.27				6.94				788,595	$	18.92
		2,675,855			$	21.22 - $24.59			$	24.25				8.38				581,258	$	24.21
		128,500			$	25.64 - $30.07			$	28.23				9				13,375	$	25.64
		2,110,500			$	40.00 - $44.75			$	40.44				9.37				—	$	—
Schedule of Stock Appreciation Rights Activity	'
	The Company’s SAR activity in 2013 is as follows:
			Year Ended December 31,
			Number of				Weighted				Aggregate
			SARs				Average				Intrinsic Value
							Exercise Price
											(in thousands)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012			94,250			$	24.59			$	516
	Granted			172,600				40.55
	Exercised			4,225				24.59
	Canceled			4,600				24.59
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013			258,025			$	35.26			$	2,858
Schedule of Restricted Stock Units Activity	'
	The Company’s RSU activity in 2013 is as follows:
			Year Ended December 31,
			Number of				Weighted
			RSUs				Average
							Grant-Date
							Fair Value
	Non-vested at December 31, 2012			—			$	—
	Granted			57,167				44.62
	Non-vested at December 31, 2013			57,167			$	44.62

Operations_by_Geographic_Locat1

Operations by Geographic Location (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Operations within Geographic Region	'
	The table below presents the Company’s operations by geographical location. The Company attributes revenues to geographical locations based upon where the services are performed. The Company’s operations within each geographical region are further broken down to show each country which accounts for 10% or more of the totals (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Service revenues:
	Americas:
	United States	$	1,351,160	$	1,288,990	$	1,054,379
	Other		181,814		180,568		160,593
	Americas		1,532,974		1,469,558		1,214,972
	Europe and Africa:
	United Kingdom		362,242		344,852		321,146
	Other		1,139,262		1,086,065		1,052,424
	Europe and Africa		1,501,504		1,430,917		1,373,570
	Asia-Pacific:
	Japan		438,882		500,280		449,300
	Other		334,980		291,543		257,124
	Asia-Pacific		773,862		791,823		706,424
	Total service revenues		3,808,340		3,692,298		3,294,966
	Reimbursed expenses		1,291,205		1,173,215		1,032,782
	Total revenues	$	5,099,545	$	4,865,513	$	4,327,748
Long Lived Assets	'
		As of December 31,
		2013		2012
	Property, equipment and software, net:
	Americas:
	United States	$	168,380	$	162,365
	Other		2,146		2,717
	Americas		170,526		165,082
	Europe and Africa:
	United Kingdom		50,043		53,847
	Other		18,246		19,549
	Europe and Africa		68,289		73,396
	Asia-Pacific:
	Japan		26,096		17,605
	Other		27,574		27,940
	Asia-Pacific		53,670		45,545
	Total property, equipment and software, net	$	292,485	$	284,023

Segments_Tables

Segments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of Revenues and Income from Segments to Consolidated	'
	Information presented below is in thousands:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Service revenues
	Product Development	$	2,919,730		$	2,728,695		$	2,437,822
	Integrated Healthcare Services		888,610			963,603			857,144
	Total service revenues		3,808,340			3,692,298			3,294,966
	Costs of revenue, service costs
	Product Development		1,752,800			1,683,340			1,464,297
	Integrated Healthcare Services		718,626			776,027			688,708
	Total costs of revenue, service costs		2,471,426			2,459,367			2,153,005
	Selling, general and administrative expenses
	Product Development		604,663			567,500			548,784
	Integrated Healthcare Services		127,860			127,067			110,247
	General corporate and unallocated expenses		127,987			123,188			103,268
	Total selling, general and administrative expenses		860,510			817,755			762,299
	Income from operations
	Product Development		562,267			477,855			424,741
	Integrated Healthcare Services		42,124			60,509			58,189
	General corporate and unallocated expenses		(127,987	)		(123,188	)		(103,268	)
	Restructuring costs		(14,071	)		(18,741	)		(22,116	)
	Impairment charges		—			—			(12,295	)
	Total income from operations	$	462,333		$	396,435		$	345,251
Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated	'
	As of December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Assets
	Product Development	$	2,571,502		$	2,016,605		$	1,814,062
	Integrated Healthcare Services		299,284			351,656			358,075
	General corporate and unallocated		196,011			130,892			150,780
	Total assets	$	3,066,797		$	2,499,153		$	2,322,917
Reconciliation of Other Significant Reconciling Items from Segments to Consolidated	'
	Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Expenditures to acquire long-lived assets
	Product Development	$	72,609		$	61,097		$	66,415
	Integrated Healthcare Services		18,162			8,181			6,753
	General corporate and unallocated		1,574			2,058			2,511
	Total expenditures to acquire long-lived assets	$	92,345		$	71,336		$	75,679
Depreciation and Amortization Expense	'
	Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Depreciation and amortization expense
	Product Development	$	82,047		$	68,825		$	68,029
	Integrated Healthcare Services		20,475			24,366			19,785
	General corporate and unallocated		4,982			5,097			4,190
	Total depreciation and amortization expense	$	107,504		$	98,288		$	92,004

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Reconciles the Basic to Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding	'
	The following table reconciles the basic to diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	$	124,147	$	115,710	$	116,232
	Effect of dilutive stock options and share awards		3,715		2,086		1,704
	Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		127,862		117,796	$	117,936
Summary of Weighted-Average Outstanding Stock Options Excluded from Computation of Diluted Earnings Per Share	'
	The following table shows the weighted average number of outstanding stock options not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share as the effect of including such stock options in the computation would be anti-dilutive (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Weighted average shares subject to anti-dilutive stock options and share awards		1,765		2,363		1,929

Comprehensive_Income_Tables

Comprehensive Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Summary of Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive (loss) Income	'
	Below is a summary of the components of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income in 2013, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):
		Foreign			Marketable			Derivative			Defined			Income			Accumulated
		Currency			Securities			Instrument			Benefit			Taxes			Other
		Translation									Plan						Comprehensive
																	(Loss) Income
	Balance at December 31, 2010	$	43,164		$	(94	)	$	(14,208	)	$	(4,387	)	$	21,102		$	45,577
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications		(17,276	)		(97	)		(26,032	)		(1,716	)		13,830			(31,291	)
	Reclassification adjustments		(531	)		—			13,895			1,315			(6,094	)		8,585
	Balance at December 31, 2011		25,357			(191	)		(26,345	)		(4,788	)		28,838			22,871
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications		(6,045	)		658			(10,698	)		(4,616	)		2,614			(18,087	)
	Reclassification adjustments		—			—			3,501			1,169			(1,759	)		2,911
	Balance at December 31, 2012		19,312			467			(33,542	)		(8,235	)		29,693			7,695
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications		(25,141	)		5,241			(393	)		2,147			1,331			(16,815	)
	Reclassification adjustments		—			—			13,080			1,044			(5,380	)		8,744
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	(5,829	)	$	5,708		$	(20,855	)	$	(5,044	)	$	25,644		$	(376	)
Reclassification Adjustments from Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	'
	Below is a summary of the reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income into net income in 2013, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Foreign currency translation:
	Increase in equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	$	—		$	—		$	(531	)
	Total before income taxes		—			—			(531	)
	Income taxes		—			—			—
	Total net of income taxes	$	—		$	—		$	(531	)
	Losses (gains) on derivative instruments:
	Interest rate swaps – increase to interest expense	$	12,582		$	3,248		$	3,968
	Interest rate swaps – increase to other expense		—			—			11,630
	Foreign exchange forward contracts – reduction (increase) to service revenues		498			253			(1,703	)
	Total before income taxes		13,080			3,501			13,895
	Income taxes		4,991			1,313			5,541
	Total net of income taxes	$	8,089		$	2,188		$	8,354
	Defined benefit plans:
	Amortization of prior service costs	$	336		$	411		$	413
	Amortization of actuarial losses		708			758			902
	Total before income taxes		1,044			1,169			1,315
	Income taxes		389			446			553
	Total net of income taxes	$	655		$	723		$	762

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa1

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	'
	The following table presents the Company’s supplemental cash flow information (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
	Interest paid, net of capitalized interest	$	115,494	$	127,133	$	100,906
	Capitalized interest		—		—		42
	Income taxes paid, net of refunds		70,983		103,976		63,369
	Non-cash Investing Activities:
	Acquisition of property and equipment utilizing capital leases	$	3,761	$	5,267	$	5,096
	Fair value of contingent consideration payable in connection with acquisitions		14,300		1,990		6,165

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud1

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Unaudited Quarterly Results of Operations	'
	The following table summarizes the Company’s unaudited quarterly results of operations (in thousands, except per share data):
			2013
			First Quarter		Second Quarter		Third Quarter		Fourth Quarter
	Service revenues		$	927,435	$	944,238	$	932,727	$	1,003,940
	Income from operations			115,165		94,897		125,259		127,012
	Net income			48,156		38,353		66,584		72,934
	Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests			153		164		185		62
	Net income attributable to Quintiles Transnational Holdings Inc		$	48,309	$	38,517	$	66,769	$	72,996
	Basic earnings per share(1)		$	0.42	$	0.31	$	0.52	$	0.57
	Diluted earnings per share(1)		$	0.41	$	0.3	$	0.5	$	0.55
			2012
			First Quarter		Second Quarter		Third Quarter		Fourth Quarter
	Service revenues		$	888,035	$	944,914	$	913,588	$	945,761
	Income from operations			91,987		100,885		109,136		94,427
	Net income			42,808		47,012		51,975		34,836
	Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests			465		189		123		138
	Net income attributable to Quintiles Transnational Holdings Inc		$	43,273	$	47,201	$	52,098	$	34,974
	Basic earnings per share(1)		$	0.37	$	0.41	$	0.45	$	0.3
	Diluted earnings per share(1)		$	0.37	$	0.4	$	0.44	$	0.3
	-1	The sum of the quarterly per share amounts may not equal per share amounts reported for year-to-date periods. This is due to changes in the number of weighted average shares outstanding and the effects of rounding for each period.

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	14-May-13	14-May-13	14-May-13
	Customer	Customer	Customer	IPO [Member]	IPO [Member]	IPO [Member]
	Country				Selling Shareholders [Member]	Selling Shareholders [Member]
	Employee					Underwriters Option [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of countries	100	'	'	'	'	'
Number of employees	28,200	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock price	'	'	'	$40	'	'
Common stock issued	129,652,000	115,764,000	'	13,125,000	'	'
Sale of common stock	'	'	'	'	14,111,841	'
Shares offered and sold by selling shareholders pursuant to the full exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares	'	'	'	'	'	3,552,631
Proceeds from issue of common stock through IPO	$525,000,000	$3,116,000	'	$489,600,000	$0	'
(Losses) gains, net, on foreign currency transactions	-4,000,000	-1,100,000	1,900,000	'	'	'
Accretion recognized	100,000	183,000	1,000,000	'	'	'
Capitalized and amortized expense related to software and related assets	32,200,000	27,400,000	19,900,000	'	'	'
Impairment charge related to long-lived assets	'	'	12,295,000	'	'	'
Contract termination period	'Most contracts may be terminated upon 30 to 90 days notice by the customer, however, in the event of termination, contract provisions typically require payment for services rendered through the date of termination, as well as for subsequent services rendered to close out the contract.	'	'	'	'	'
Number of customers served	0	0	0	'	'	'
Percentage of service revenue from major customers	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%	'	'	'
Related party fund to research and development activity	2,300,000	'	'	'	'	'
Related party fund to research and development activity, paid in cash	1	'	'	'	'	'
Related party fund to research and development activity expense	1.3	'	'	'	'	'
Additional consideration agreement	16,500,000	'	'	'	'	'
Advertising expense	14,800,000	14,500,000	13,200,000	'	'	'
Recognized future income tax benefit	8,100,000	6,900,000	4,200,000	'	'	'
Unrecognized non-vested share-based compensation	$36,600,000	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted average period of share-based compensation	'1 year 9 months	'	'	'	'	'

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Property and Equipment at Cost Using Straight-Line Method (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Minimum [Member] | Buildings and leasehold improvements [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life, Years	'3 years
Minimum [Member] | Equipment [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life, Years	'3 years
Minimum [Member] | Furniture and fixtures [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life, Years	'5 years
Minimum [Member] | Motor vehicles [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life, Years	'3 years
Maximum [Member] | Buildings and leasehold improvements [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life, Years	'40 years
Maximum [Member] | Equipment [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life, Years	'10 years
Maximum [Member] | Furniture and fixtures [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life, Years	'10 years
Maximum [Member] | Motor vehicles [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life, Years	'5 years

Summary_of_Significant_Account5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Definite-lived identifiable intangible assets amortized (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Minimum [Member] | Trademarks and trade names [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life, Years	'1 year
Minimum [Member] | Product licensing and distribution rights [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life, Years	'1 year
Minimum [Member] | Non-compete agreements [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life, Years	'2 years
Minimum [Member] | Contract backlog and customer relationships [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life, Years	'1 year
Minimum [Member] | Software and related assets [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life, Years	'3 years
Maximum [Member] | Trademarks and trade names [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life, Years	'8 years
Maximum [Member] | Product licensing and distribution rights [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life, Years	'7 years
Maximum [Member] | Non-compete agreements [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life, Years	'4 years
Maximum [Member] | Contract backlog and customer relationships [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life, Years	'12 years
Maximum [Member] | Software and related assets [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life, Years	'5 years

Summary_of_Significant_Account6

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Summary of Research and Development Expenses (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule Of Research And Development [Line Items]	'	'	'
Research and development expenses	$4,955	$10,426	$9,986
Software and related assets [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule Of Research And Development [Line Items]	'	'	'
Research and development expenses	3,955	9,907	9,447
Research and development activity [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule Of Research And Development [Line Items]	'	'	'
Research and development expenses	1,000	'	'
Collaborative Arrangement [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule Of Research And Development [Line Items]	'	'	'
Research and development expenses	'	$519	$539

Summary_of_Significant_Account7

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Assumptions Used to Estimate the Value of Share-Based Awards (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Weighted average expected volatility	40.00%	40.00%	42.00%
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expected volatility	18.00%	33.00%	40.00%
Expected dividends	0.00%	4.82%	4.10%
Expected term (in years)	'3 months	'2 years	'2 years 8 months 12 days
Risk-free interest rate	0.04%	0.29%	0.30%
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expected volatility	47.00%	53.00%	53.00%
Expected dividends	5.45%	'	'
Expected term (in years)	'6 years 4 months 2 days	'7 years	'6 years 8 months 12 days
Risk-free interest rate	2.24%	1.31%	3.00%

Summary_of_Significant_Account8

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Summary of Share-Based Compensation Expense (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'
Share-based compensation expense	$22,826	$25,926	$14,130

Accounts_Receivable_and_Unbill2

Accounts Receivable and Unbilled Services - Accounts Receivable and Unbilled Services (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Trade:	'	'
Billed	$408,959	$346,732
Unbilled services	516,942	400,610
Trade accounts receivable and unbilled services, gross	925,901	747,342
Allowance for doubtful accounts	-1,696	-1,969
Trade accounts receivable and unbilled services, net	$924,205	$745,373

Accounts_Receivable_and_Unbill3

Accounts Receivable and Unbilled Services - Percentage of Accounts Receivable and Unbilled Services by Region (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accounts Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Percentage of Accounts Receivables	100.00%	100.00%
Americas [Member]	'	'
Accounts Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Percentage of Accounts Receivables	55.00%	53.00%
Americas [Member] | United States [Member]	'	'
Accounts Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Percentage of Accounts Receivables	53.00%	51.00%
Americas [Member] | Other [Member]	'	'
Accounts Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Percentage of Accounts Receivables	2.00%	2.00%
Europe and Africa [Member]	'	'
Accounts Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Percentage of Accounts Receivables	37.00%	38.00%
Europe and Africa [Member] | Other [Member]	'	'
Accounts Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Percentage of Accounts Receivables	12.00%	12.00%
Europe and Africa [Member] | United Kingdom [Member]	'	'
Accounts Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Percentage of Accounts Receivables	25.00%	26.00%
Asia-Pacific [Member]	'	'
Accounts Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Percentage of Accounts Receivables	8.00%	9.00%
Asia-Pacific [Member] | Other [Member]	'	'
Accounts Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Percentage of Accounts Receivables	4.00%	4.00%
Asia-Pacific [Member] | Japan [Member]	'	'
Accounts Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Percentage of Accounts Receivables	4.00%	5.00%

Investments_Debt_Equity_and_Ot2

Investments - Debt, Equity and Other Securities - Summary of the Company's Debt, Equity and Other Securities (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Marketable securities	$7,668	$2,427
Cost method	32,681	33,524
Total	$40,349	$35,951

Investments_Debt_Equity_and_Ot3

Investments - Debt, Equity and Other Securities - Summary of Available-for-Sale Securities (Detail) (Marketable equity [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Marketable equity [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized Cost	$1,960	$1,960
Gross Unrealized Gains	5,708	467
Market Value	$7,668	$2,427

Investments_Debt_Equity_and_Ot4

Investments - Debt, Equity and Other Securities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Feb. 25, 2011
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Gains or losses from the sale of marketable equity securities	$0	$0	$0	'
Net of tax adjustment to unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities	3,225,000	400,000	-60,000	'
Unrealized loss on securities	0	'	'	'
Loss on sale of marketable equity securities	0	0	0	'
Investment in joint venture	'	'	'	30,000,000
Non controlling interest percentage in exchange of investment in joint venture	5.10%	10.00%	'	'
Customer incentive	12,500,000	'	'	'
Preferred stock acquired from Intarcia	5,000,000	'	'	'
Total customer incentive	10,700,000	11,900,000	'	'
Preferred stock investment	5,000,000	'	'	'
Impairment loss on securities	'	'	$145,000	'

Investments_Debt_Equity_and_Ot5

Investments - Debt, Equity and Other Securities - Summary of the Company's Portfolio of Cost Method Investments (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Cost of investments	$32,681	$33,524
Venture capital funds [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Cost of investments	'	64
Equity investments [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Cost of investments	32,516	33,298
Convertible note [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Cost of investments	$165	$162

Investments_in_and_Advances_to2

Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Affiliates - Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Affiliates (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]	'	'	'
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates	$22,927	$19,148	'
NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund III, L.P [Member]	'	'	'
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]	'	'	'
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates	11,792	10,617	'
Oxford Cancer Biomarkers [Member]	'	'	'
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]	'	'	'
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates	4,141	4,497	4,700
Cenduit TM [Member]	'	'	'
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]	'	'	'
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates	6,431	3,479	'
Other [Member]	'	'	'
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]	'	'	'
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates	$563	$555	'

Investments_in_and_Advances_to3

Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Affiliates - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Feb. 25, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Jan. 31, 2012

Nov. 29, 2011

31-May-09

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

31-May-07

Nov. 13, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Nov. 10, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Apr. 30, 2006

Apr. 30, 2006

Oxford Cancer Biomarkers [Member]

Oxford Cancer Biomarkers [Member]

Oxford Cancer Biomarkers [Member]

HUYA [Member]

HUYA [Member]

Cenduit TM [Member]

Cenduit TM [Member]

Cenduit TM [Member]

NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund III, L.P [Member]

NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund III, L.P [Member]

NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund III, L.P [Member]

NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund III, L.P [Member]

Invida Pharmaceutical Holdings Pte. Ltd. [Member]

Invida Pharmaceutical Holdings Pte. Ltd. [Member]

Temasek Holdings [Member]

Schedule of Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Committed to invest fund

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$60,000,000

'

'

'

Sale of commitments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Total commitment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Funding commitments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

34,200,000

'

'

'

'

Beneficial ownership in common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10.90%

'

13.90%

'

5.00%

Carrying value of commitments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,200,000

'

'

'

'

Commitment funded

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,900,000

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from sale of funded commitments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,300,000

'

'

'

'

Investment in affiliates

22,927,000

19,148,000

'

4,141,000

4,497,000

4,700,000

'

'

6,431,000

3,479,000

'

'

11,792,000

'

10,617,000

'

'

Ownership interest

'

'

'

'

'

30.00%

'

'

'

'

50.00%

'

'

'

'

33.33%

'

Amount of initial capital

'

'

30,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ownership interest acquired

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount paid for acquisition

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from sale of investment

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

103,600,000

'

Gain on sale of investment

'

'

'

'

'

'

$949,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$74,900,000

'

Derivatives_Additional_Informa

Derivatives - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Jun. 30, 2011

Apr. 30, 2006

Jun. 30, 2011

Apr. 30, 2006

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Jun. 30, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Apr. 30, 2006

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]

Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]

Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]

Interest Rate Swaps [Member]

Interest Rate Swaps [Member]

Interest Rate Swaps [Member]

Warrants [Member]

Warrants [Member]

Warrants [Member]

Derivative

Derivative

Agreement

Agreement

Warrants

Warrants

Warrants

Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Investment gains (losses)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$182,000

$17,000

($28,000)

Warrant Sold

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Unrealized gains related to foreign exchange forward contracts

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,950,000

465,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of foreign exchange forward contracts

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

12

12

'

6

'

6,000,000

'

'

'

Notional amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

60,800,000

38,900,000

'

179,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Losses related to these foreign exchange forward contracts

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

588,000

177,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payment to terminate hedge accounting

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative losses reclassified

11,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate swaps expiry date

'

'

'

30-Sep-13

31-Dec-06

31-Mar-16

31-Dec-12

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate swaps effectively converted percent

'

45.90%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate swaps hedged amount due to future change in interest rate swaps

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

945,000,000

'

'

'

'

Derivative fixed interest rate

'

2.55%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrealized losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income

'

24,800,000

34,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrealized losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income

'

$12,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives_Summary_of_Fair_Va

Derivatives - Summary of Fair Values of Derivative Instruments Designated as Hedges (Detail) (Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Other current assets [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative asset fair value	$3,950	$465
Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Other current liabilities [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative liability fair value	$24,805	$34,007

Derivatives_Summary_of_Details

Derivatives - Summary of Details Relating to Fair Value / Gains (Losses) of Derivative Instruments not Designated as Hedges (Detail) (Warrants [Member], Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member], Deposits and Other Assets [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Warrants [Member] | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member] | Deposits and Other Assets [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative asset fair value	$211	$29

Derivatives_Effect_of_Cash_Flo

Derivatives - Effect of Cash Flow Hedging Instruments on Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) (Derivatives Designated As Cash Flow Hedges [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Effect of derivatives on statement of operations and comprehensive income [Line Items]	'	'	'
Effect of cash flow hedging instruments on other comprehensive income (loss)	$12,687	($7,197)	($12,137)
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]	'	'	'
Effect of derivatives on statement of operations and comprehensive income [Line Items]	'	'	'
Effect of cash flow hedging instruments on other comprehensive income (loss)	3,485	2,327	-1,867
Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'	'
Effect of derivatives on statement of operations and comprehensive income [Line Items]	'	'	'
Effect of cash flow hedging instruments on other comprehensive income (loss)	$9,202	($9,524)	($10,270)

Derivatives_Summary_of_Losses_

Derivatives - Summary of Losses (Gains) From Derivative Instruments not Designated as Hedges Impacting Consolidated Statements of Income (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Derivative Instruments, Loss (Gain) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative instrument (gain) or loss in income statement	($182)	$571	$205
Warrants [Member] | Other (income) expense, net [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Loss (Gain) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative instrument (gain) or loss in income statement	-182	-17	28
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Other (income) expense, net [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Loss (Gain) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative instrument (gain) or loss in income statement	'	$588	$177

Fair_Value_Measurements_Fair_V

Fair Value Measurements - Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis (Detail) (Recurring Fair Value Measurements [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets	$11,829	$2,921
Fair value of liabilities	37,819	37,528
Marketable equity [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets	7,668	2,427
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets	3,950	465
Warrants [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets	211	29
Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of liabilities	24,805	34,007
Contingent Consideration [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of liabilities	13,014	3,521
Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets	7,668	2,427
Fair value of liabilities	'	'
Level 1 [Member] | Marketable equity [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets	7,668	2,427
Level 1 [Member] | Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets	'	'
Level 1 [Member] | Warrants [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets	'	'
Level 1 [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of liabilities	'	'
Level 1 [Member] | Contingent Consideration [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of liabilities	'	'
Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets	3,950	465
Fair value of liabilities	24,805	34,007
Level 2 [Member] | Marketable equity [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets	'	'
Level 2 [Member] | Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets	3,950	465
Level 2 [Member] | Warrants [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets	'	'
Level 2 [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of liabilities	24,805	34,007
Level 2 [Member] | Contingent Consideration [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of liabilities	'	'
Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets	211	29
Fair value of liabilities	13,014	3,521
Level 3 [Member] | Marketable equity [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets	'	'
Level 3 [Member] | Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets	'	'
Level 3 [Member] | Warrants [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of assets	211	29
Level 3 [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of liabilities	'	'
Level 3 [Member] | Contingent Consideration [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of liabilities	$13,014	$3,521

Fair_Value_Measurements_Change

Fair Value Measurements - Changes in Level Three Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis (Detail) (Level 3 [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Deposits and Other Assets [Member] | Warrants [Member]	'	'	'
Changes In Level 3 Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	$29	$12	'
Purchases and issuances	'	'	40
Revaluations included in earnings	182	17	-28
Ending Balance	211	29	12
Accrued Expenses [Member] | Contingent Consideration [Member]	'	'	'
Changes In Level 3 Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	3,521	6,165	'
Initial estimate of contingent consideration	14,300	1,990	6,165
Revaluations included in earnings	-4,807	-4,634	'
Ending Balance	$13,014	$3,521	$6,165

Fair_Value_Measurements_Additi

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Identifiable intangible assets	$298,054,000	$272,813,000
Non-recurring Fair Value Measurements [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cost and equity method investments	763,300,000	'
Goodwill	55,600,000	'
Identifiable intangible assets	409,600,000	'
Assets	298,100,000	'
Non-recurring Fair Value Measurements [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Equity investments [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Unfunded cash commitments	$34,200,000	'

Property_and_Equipment_Summary

Property and Equipment - Summary of Major Classes of Property and Equipment (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and Equipment, Gross	$481,126	$451,465
Less accumulated depreciation	-281,548	-257,466
Property and Equipment, Net	199,578	193,999
Land, buildings and leasehold improvements [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and Equipment, Gross	184,726	182,548
Equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and Equipment, Gross	222,858	197,384
Furniture and fixtures [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and Equipment, Gross	55,741	52,498
Motor vehicles [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and Equipment, Gross	$17,801	$19,035

Goodwill_Additional_Informatio

Goodwill - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
		Product Development [Member]	Product Development [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'
Identifiable intangible assets	$298,100,000	'	'
Identifiable intangible assets related to trade name	109,700,000	'	'
Estimated amortization expense, 2014	57,300,000	'	'
Estimated amortization expense, 2015	46,900,000	'	'
Estimated amortization expense, 2016	32,300,000	'	'
Estimated amortization expense, 2017	21,300,000	'	'
Estimated amortization expense, 2018	12,600,000	'	'
Reallocation between segments	'	$5,800,000	$5,800,000

Goodwill_and_Identifiable_Inta2

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets - Summary of Amortization Expense Associated with Identifiable Definite-Lived Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Amortization expense	$51,450	$46,440	$35,549

Goodwill_and_Identifiable_Inta3

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets - Summary of Identifiable Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Amount	$400,416	$329,336
Accumulated Amortization	-212,038	-166,199
Net Amount	188,378	163,137
Product licensing and distribution rights and customer relationships [Member]	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Amount	115,895	83,273
Accumulated Amortization	-35,027	-21,553
Net Amount	80,868	61,720
Trademarks and trade names [Member]	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Amount	52,053	44,263
Accumulated Amortization	-37,450	-32,870
Net Amount	14,603	11,393
Software and related assets [Member]	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Amount	232,468	201,800
Accumulated Amortization	-139,561	-111,776
Net Amount	92,907	90,024
Trade name [Member]	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Amount	109,676	109,676
Net Amount	$109,676	$109,676

Goodwill_Summary_of_Goodwill_b

Goodwill - Summary of Goodwill by Segment (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	$278,041	$302,429	$278,041
Acquisition	'	116,542	28,201
Impact of foreign currency fluctuations	'	-9,345	-3,813
Ending Balance	'	409,626	302,429
Product Development [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	216,264	237,757	216,264
Acquisition	'	116,542	28,201
Reallocation between segments	-5,800	'	-5,800
Impact of foreign currency fluctuations	'	-3,155	-908
Ending Balance	'	351,144	237,757
Integrated Healthcare Services [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	61,777	64,672	61,777
Reallocation between segments	'	'	5,800
Impact of foreign currency fluctuations	'	-6,190	-2,905
Ending Balance	'	$58,482	$64,672

Accrued_Expenses_Accrued_Expen

Accrued Expenses - Accrued Expenses (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Compensation, including bonuses, fringe benefits and payroll taxes	$437,138	$360,649	$8,900	'
Restructuring	5,474	12,784	'	14,860
Interest	278	368	'	'
Contract related	240,548	207,982	'	'
Other	77,751	76,336	'	'
Total	$761,189	$658,119	'	'

Credit_Arrangements_Summary_of

Credit Arrangements - Summary of Credit Facilities (Detail)	Feb. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	USD ($)	First Lien Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	First Lien Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	General Banking Facility [Member]	General Banking Facility [Member]	General Banking Facility [Member]	Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]
		USD ($)	LIBOR [Member]	USD ($)	EUR (€)	Bank's Base Rate [Member]	First Lien Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	First Lien Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
							LIBOR [Member]	LIBOR [Member]
Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Facility	$300	$300	'	$16.50	€ 10	'	'	'
Interest Rate Description	'	'One month LIBOR (0.17% at December 31, 2013) plus 2.50% to 2.75% depending upon the Company's total leverage ratio	'	'Bank's base rate (0.5% at December 31,2013) plus 1%	'Bank's base rate (0.5% at December 31,2013) plus 1%	'	'	'
Rate	'	'	0.17%	'	'	0.50%	'	'
Interest Rate spread on base rate	'	'	'	'	'	1.00%	2.50%	2.75%

Credit_Arrangements_Schedule_o

Credit Arrangements - Schedule of Long-term Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	31-May-13	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Other notes payable	$7	'	'	$43
Contractual maturities of long-term debt, Total	2,060,763	'	'	2,444,606
Less: unamortized discount	-14,975	-112,000	-4,700	-22,908
Less: current portion	-10,307	'	'	-55,594
Long term debt, total	2,035,481	'	'	2,366,104
Term Loan B-3 due 2018 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Long-term debt	2,060,756	'	'	'
Term Loan B-2 due 2018 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Long-term debt	'	'	'	1,970,000
Term Loan B-1 due 2018 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Long-term debt	'	'	'	174,563
7.5% Term Loan due 2017 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Long-term debt	'	'	'	$300,000

Credit_Arrangements_Schedule_o1

Credit Arrangements - Schedule of Long-term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt instrument interest rate terms, Description	'The greater of Three month LIBOR or 1.25% plus 2.50%, or 3.75% at DecemberB 31, 2013

Credit_Arrangements_Contractua

Credit Arrangements - Contractual Maturities of Long-term Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
2014	$10,307	'
2015	20,600	'
2016	20,600	'
2017	20,600	'
2018	1,988,656	'
Contractual maturities of long-term debt, Total	$2,060,763	$2,444,606

Credit_Arrangements_Additional

Credit Arrangements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Oct. 22, 2012

31-May-13

Feb. 29, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Oct. 22, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Oct. 22, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Oct. 22, 2012

Dec. 20, 2012

Oct. 22, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2011

Oct. 22, 2012

Dec. 20, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Oct. 22, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 20, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 20, 2013

Option Holders [Member]

Option Holders [Member]

Fees and Related Expenses [Member]

Fees and Related Expenses [Member]

Period 1 [Member]

Period 2 [Member]

Period 3 [Member]

Term Loan B-1 due 2018 [Member]

Term Loan B-2 due 2018 [Member]

Senior secured credit facilities [Member]

Senior secured credit facilities [Member]

Senior secured credit facilities [Member]

Senior secured credit facilities [Member]

Term Loan B-3 due 2018 [Member]

First Lien Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

First Lien Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

First Lien Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

First Lien Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Second Lien Credit Facility [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Term Loan B-1 due 2018 [Member]

Senior secured credit facilities [Member]

Senior secured credit facilities [Member]

Term B Loan [Member]

Senior secured credit facilities [Member]

Term Loan B-3 due 2018 [Member]

Term Loan B-3 due 2018 [Member]

Credit Facility [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated fair value of long-term debt

'

'

'

'

$2,500,000,000

$2,100,000,000

$2,500,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Initial credit agreement date

'

'

'

'

'

8-Jun-11

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate maximum principal amount

'

'

'

300,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,975,000,000

'

2,225,000,000

'

175,000,000

2,061,000,000

300,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Credit facility arrangement amended date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30-Oct-12

31-Dec-12

31-Dec-13

'

'

22-Oct-12

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Credit facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

225,000,000

'

1,000,000,000

2,000,000,000

220,000,000

'

'

'

'

Credit facility due

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2018

'

'

'

'2018

'2018

'2016

'

'2013

'

'2014

'

'

'

'

Dividends paid to shareholders

'

'

'

326,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

288,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Bonus paid

'

'

'

8,900,000

360,649,000

437,138,000

360,649,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss on extinguishment of debt

15,500,000

'

1,000,000

'

'

19,831,000

1,275,000

46,377,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

46,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument prepayment premium

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

14,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unamortized debt issuance cost

4,700,000

'

930,000,000

'

631,000,000

1,600,000

631,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unamortized discount

4,700,000

'

112,000,000

'

22,908,000

14,975,000

22,908,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fees and expenses

6,100,000

'

'

'

10,000

25,000

10,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Credit facility, extended year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2017

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Increase in revolving credit facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

75,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Annual maturities on term loan B

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash in hand used to pay dividend

'

73,000,000

'

'

73,000,000

'

73,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Dividends paid to shareholders

'

241,700,000

'

'

241,700,000

'

567,851,000

288,322,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Bonus to option holders

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,400,000

2,400,000

4,000,000

4,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash paid to pay down debt

308,900,000

'

50,000,000

'

'

2,444,600,000

1,995,472,000

1,712,673,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Annual maturities , principal amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20,000,000

'

'

'

'

5,150,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Final maturity of term loan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8-Jun-18

'

'

'

'

8-Jun-18

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest as stated in credit agreement

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.00%

'

25.00%

Line of credit facility expiration date

'

'

'

26-Feb-17

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt issuance costs

'

'

'

'

'

$12,600,000

$23,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt issuance costs amortization term

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'5 years

'

'7 years

'

Leases_Additional_Information_

Leases - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Leases [Abstract]	'	'	'
Rental expenses under agreement	$125.60	$117.60	$124.50
Operating lease year of expiry	'2029	'	'

Leases_Summary_of_Future_Minim

Leases - Summary of Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Capital and Operating Leases (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Leases [Abstract]	'
Capital leases, future minimum payments due, 2014	$132
Capital leases, future minimum payments due, 2015	90
Capital leases, future minimum payments due, 2016	16
Capital leases, future minimum payments due, 2017	'
Capital leases, future minimum payments due, 2018	'
Capital leases, future minimum payments due, Thereafter	'
Capital leases, total minimum lease payments	238
Capital leases, Amounts representing interest	-7
Capital leases, Present value of net minimum payments	231
Capital leases, Current portion	-126
Capital leases, Long-term capital lease obligations	105
Operating leases, future minimum payments due, 2014	98,154
Operating leases, future minimum payments due, 2015	75,997
Operating leases, future minimum payments due, 2016	61,752
Operating leases, future minimum payments due, 2017	47,036
Operating leases, future minimum payments due, 2018	31,979
Operating leases, future minimum payments due, Thereafter	99,320
Operating leases, total minimum lease payments	$414,238

Shareholders_Deficit_Additiona

Shareholders Deficit - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended							12 Months Ended
	Oct. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Nov. 01, 2012	Mar. 09, 2012	Feb. 29, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 10, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Preferred stock, authorized	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,000,000	'	'
Preferred stock, par value	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$0.01	'	'
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	'
Equity repurchase program authorized amount	$125,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Repurchase of common stock, Shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	153,223	508,656	526,766
Repurchase of common stock, Value	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,434,000	13,363,000	14,324,000
Common stock repurchased, average share price	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$42.01	'	'
Equity available for repurchase under the equity repurchase program	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	59,500,000	'	'
Repurchases under the equity repurchase program	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	65,500,000	'	'
Dividend declared per share	'	$2.09	'	'	$2.82	$2.48	'	'	'	'
Total dividend paid	'	'	241,700,000	326,100,000	'	'	288,300,000	'	'	'
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Equity repurchased -vested in-the-money employee stock options, value	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$59,100,000	'	'
Equity repurchased -vested in-the-money employee stock options, shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,000,000	'	'
Repurchase vested in-the-money employee stock options, average market price	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$43.42	'	'
Repurchase of vested in-the-money employee stock options, average exercise price per option	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$13.74	'	'

Management_Fees_Additional_Inf

Management Fees - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended				0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 31, 2008	Jan. 31, 2008	Jan. 31, 2008
					Aisling Capital [Member]	Other Managers [Member]
Management Fees Provided For Service [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Annual management service fee agreed to pay	'	'	'	$5,000,000	'	'
Management service fee	27,700,000	5,300,000	5,200,000	'	150,000	4,900,000
Termination fee	$25,000,000	'	'	'	'	'

Business_Combinations_Addition

Business Combinations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Nov. 04, 2011	Sep. 16, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Aug. 10, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Oct. 19, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013
		Advion [Member]	Novella [Member]	Novella [Member]	EA [Member]	EA [Member]	Outcome [Member]	Outcome [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Outstanding stock value	'	'	$146,600,000	'	'	'	'	'
Date of Acquisition	'	4-Nov-11	16-Sep-13	'	10-Aug-12	'	19-Oct-11	'
Cash acquired	'	'	26,200,000	'	'	'	'	'
Outstanding stock, percentage	'	'	100.00%	'	100.00%	'	100.00%	'
Contingent consideration, annual earn out payment	'	'	21,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Liability recognized on acquisition	'	'	14,300,000	'	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition Cost	'	54,900,000	'	'	39,700,000	'	164,900,000	'
Earn out payment	16,500,000	5,000,000	'	'	3,500,000	'	'	'
Description of terms of contingent consideration	'	'	'	'	'The earn-out payment is contingent upon the achievement of certain revenue and earnings targets during the 24 month period following closing.	'	'	'
Initially recognized liability	'	1,500,000	'	'	2,000,000	'	'	'
Net cash acquired	'	'	'	$26,190,000	'	$441,000	$12,100,000	$12,128,000

Business_Combinations_Summary_

Business Combinations - Summary of Estimated Fair Value of Net Assets Acquired at the Date of Acquisition (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Oct. 19, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified				Novella [Member]	EA [Member]	Advion [Member]	Outcome [Member]	Outcome [Member]
Assets acquired:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	'	'	'	$26,190	$441	'	$12,128	$12,100
Accounts receivable and unbilled services	'	'	'	28,644	1,920	6,193	14,076	'
Other current assets	'	'	'	1,441	2,952	1,015	5,404	'
Property and equipment	'	'	'	9,616	4,731	8,292	2,610	'
Goodwill	409,626	302,429	278,041	116,542	28,201	27,995	130,762	'
Other identifiable intangibles, net	'	'	'	42,740	9,460	12,120	45,900	'
Deferred income tax asset - long-term	'	'	'	'	'	9,468	'	'
Other long-term assets	'	'	'	2,203	'	'	480	'
Liabilities assumed:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	'	'	'	-12,716	-3,574	-1,731	-3,186	'
Unearned income	'	'	'	-7,782	-411	-1,077	-11,953	'
Other current liabilities	-1,482,247	-1,308,997	'	-132	-101	-5,583	-3,566	'
Deferred income tax liability - long-term	'	'	'	-18,364	-1,707	'	-15,635	'
Other long-term liabilities	'	'	'	-1,334	-226	-282	'	'
Net assets acquired	'	'	'	$187,048	$41,686	$56,410	$177,020	'

Business_Combinations_Summary_1

Business Combinations - Summary of Identifiable Definite Lived Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Novella [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Acquired backlog	$42,740
Amortized over a weighted average useful life (in years)	'7 years
Novella [Member] | Contract backlog and customer relationships [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Acquired backlog	20,800
Novella [Member] | Order or Production Backlog [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Acquired backlog	14,000
Novella [Member] | Trade name [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Acquired backlog	7,500
Novella [Member] | Non-compete agreements [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Acquired backlog	440
EA [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Acquired backlog	9,460
Amortized over a weighted average useful life (in years)	'11 years
EA [Member] | Contract backlog and customer relationships [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Acquired backlog	9,000
EA [Member] | Order or Production Backlog [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Acquired backlog	170
EA [Member] | Trade name [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Acquired backlog	290
Advion [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Acquired backlog	12,120
Amortized over a weighted average useful life (in years)	'8 years
Advion [Member] | Contract backlog and customer relationships [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Acquired backlog	9,400
Advion [Member] | Order or Production Backlog [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Acquired backlog	2,500
Advion [Member] | Trade name [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Acquired backlog	170
Advion [Member] | Non-compete agreements [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Acquired backlog	50
Outcome [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Acquired backlog	45,900
Amortized over a weighted average useful life (in years)	'9 years
Outcome [Member] | Contract backlog and customer relationships [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Acquired backlog	27,600
Outcome [Member] | Order or Production Backlog [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Acquired backlog	11,800
Outcome [Member] | Trade name [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Acquired backlog	4,900
Outcome [Member] | Non-compete agreements [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Acquired backlog	$1,600

Restructuring_Additional_Infor

Restructuring - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Feb. 28, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

31-May-12

31-May-12

31-May-12

31-May-12

31-May-12

31-May-12

Jul. 31, 2011

Jul. 31, 2011

Jul. 31, 2011

Jul. 31, 2011

2013 Plan [Member]

2013 Plan [Member]

2013 Plan [Member]

2013 Plan [Member]

2013 Plan [Member]

2012 Plan [Member]

2012 Plan [Member]

2012 Plan [Member]

2012 Plan [Member]

2012 Plan [Member]

2012 Plan [Member]

2011 Plan [Member]

2011 Plan [Member]

2011 Plan [Member]

2011 Plan [Member]

Position

Operating Segments [Member]

Operating Segments [Member]

Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]

Position

Severance and Related Costs [Member]

Other Restructuring [Member]

Operating Segments [Member]

Operating Segments [Member]

Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]

Position

Operating Segments [Member]

Operating Segments [Member]

Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]

Product Development [Member]

Integrated Healthcare Services [Member]

Product Development [Member]

Integrated Healthcare Services [Member]

Product Development [Member]

Integrated Healthcare Services [Member]

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring plan approved

'

'

'

$15,000,000

'

'

'

'

$20,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of positions expected to reduce

'

'

'

400

'

'

'

'

280

'

'

'

'

'

290

'

'

'

Restructuring cost

14,071,000

18,741,000

22,116,000

'

14,200,000

9,000,000

4,700,000

469,000,000

20,100,000

'

'

12,200,000

3,900,000

4,000,000

21,600,000

17,600,000

3,200,000

837,000

Restructuring cost -lease costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

376,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring cost -severance cost

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$19,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring_Summary_of_Amoun

Restructuring - Summary of Amounts Recorded for Restructuring Plans (Detail) (USD $)

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

2012 Plan [Member]

2012 Plan [Member]

2011 Plan [Member]

2011 Plan [Member]

Restructuring Prior Year Plans [Member]

Restructuring Prior Year Plans [Member]

Restructuring Prior Year Plans [Member]

2013 Plan [Member]

Severance and Related Costs [Member]

Severance and Related Costs [Member]

Severance and Related Costs [Member]

Severance and Related Costs [Member]

Severance and Related Costs [Member]

Severance and Related Costs [Member]

Severance and Related Costs [Member]

Severance and Related Costs [Member]

Exit Costs [Member]

Exit Costs [Member]

Exit Costs [Member]

Exit Costs [Member]

Exit Costs [Member]

Exit Costs [Member]

2012 Plan [Member]

2012 Plan [Member]

2011 Plan [Member]

Restructuring Prior Year Plans [Member]

Restructuring Prior Year Plans [Member]

2013 Plan [Member]

2012 Plan [Member]

2011 Plan [Member]

Restructuring Prior Year Plans [Member]

Restructuring Prior Year Plans [Member]

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring reserves, opening balance

$5,474

$12,784

$14,860

$1,733

$11,220

$1,234

$12,522

$516

$330

$2,338

$3,225

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Expense, Net of Reversals

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

13,718

17,828

-263

19,997

-1,901

-251

-268

14,232

353

913

377

941

-24

-28

Payments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-21,324

-15,904

-9,450

-9,028

-5,149

-744

-1,727

-11,130

-154

-5,304

-111

-5,304

-43

'

Foreign Currency Translation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

98

318

-40

251

52

15

15

123

-1

73

'

73

-1

'

Restructuring reserves, ending balance

$5,474

$12,784

$14,860

$1,733

$11,220

$1,234

$12,522

$516

$330

$2,338

$3,225

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Impairments_Impairments_Recogn

Impairments - Impairments Recognized (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'
Non-marketable equity securities	'	$145
Long-lived assets	12,200	12,150
Total impairments recognized	'	$12,295

Impairments_Additional_Informa

Impairments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'
Long-lived assets, Impairment charges	$12,200	$12,150

Income_Taxes_Components_of_Inc

Income Taxes - Components of Income Before Income Taxes and Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Before Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates	$323,116	$267,428	$184,675
Domestic [Member]	'	'	'
Income Before Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates	68,425	31,204	-30,334
Foreign [Member]	'	'	'
Income Before Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates	$254,691	$236,224	$215,009

Income_Taxes_Components_of_Inc1

Income Taxes - Components of Income Tax Expense Attributable to Continuing Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Federal	'	$38,573	$18,236	$10,324
State	'	-4,309	1,384	3,875
Foreign	'	83,744	58,712	70,905
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	'	118,008	78,332	85,104
Federal and state	'	-15,807	16,023	-47,517
Foreign	'	-6,236	-991	-22,482
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	'	-22,043	15,032	-69,999
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$8,100	$95,965	$93,364	$15,105

Income_Taxes_Effective_Income_

Income Taxes - Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Federal income tax expense at statutory rate	'	$113,091	$93,600	$64,636
State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit	'	-1,088	-914	3,487
Research and development	'	-12,788	-17,096	-14,111
Foreign nontaxable interest income	'	-9,751	-7,864	-8,375
Transaction costs	'	343	291	16,932
Gain on note settlement	'	10,794	'	'
US taxes recorded on foreign earnings	'	-1,616	23,236	-33,180
Foreign rate differential	'	-10,753	-8,396	145
(Decrease) increase in valuation allowance	'	-178	401	-9,939
Effect of changes in apportionment and tax rates	'	-492	1,872	663
Foreign tax contingencies	'	2,069	104	-16,609
Future foreign branch earnings	'	606	858	7,249
Other	'	5,728	7,272	4,207
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$8,100	$95,965	$93,364	$15,105

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Income tax benefit	$8,100,000	$95,965,000	$93,364,000	$15,105,000
Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries	'	18,393,000	44,972,000	'
Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiary, taxable upon repatriation	'	119,800,000	'	'
Deferred income tax liability, net of foreign income tax credits upon repatriation	'	18,400,000	'	'
Indefinitely reinvested undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries	'	368,800,000	'	'
Additional tax liability on Indefinitely reinvested undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries	'	32,000,000	'	'
Net operating loss carryforwards	'	49,308,000	82,745,000	'
Increase in valuation allowance	'	'	32,300,000	'
Unrecognized income tax benefits	'	54,900,000	'	'
Unrecognized benefits	'	42,300,000	'	'
Accrued interest and penalties	'	3,600,000	2,800,000	'
Interest and penalties recorded	'	843,000	796,000	-9,400,000
Income tax holiday period	'	'5 years	'	'
Quintiles East Asia [Member]	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Income tax benefit	'	805,000	343,000	395,000
Outcome Europe Sarl [Member]	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Income tax benefit	'	'	28,000	47,000
United Kingdom [Member]	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Operating Loss and capital loss carryforwards	'	42,100,000	'	'
Foreign Jurisdictions [Member]	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Operating Loss and capital loss carryforwards	'	75,600,000	'	'
United States [Member]	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net operating loss carryforwards	'	72,600,000	'	'
Net operating loss carryforwards expiration year	'	'2023	'	'
Net operating loss carryforwards expiration year	'	'2033	'	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Increase in valuation allowance	'	2,800,000	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Increase in valuation allowance	'	29,500,000	'	'
Novella EA And Advion [Member] | United States [Member]	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net operating loss carryforwards	'	23,600,000	23,600,000	23,600,000
Federal State And Foreign Tax [Member]	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized income tax benefits	'	5,100,000	'	'
Foreign Tax [Member]	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized income tax benefits	'	$1,600,000	'	'

Income_Taxes_Income_Tax_Effect

Income Taxes - Income Tax Effects of Temporary Differences from Continuing Operations that Give Rise to Significant Portions of Deferred Income Tax (Liabilities) Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred income tax liabilities:	'	'
Undistributed foreign earnings	($18,393)	($44,972)
Depreciation and amortization	-78,486	-64,573
Other	-12,700	-12,984
Total deferred income tax liabilities	-109,579	-122,529
Deferred income tax assets:	'	'
Net operating loss, capital loss and foreign tax credit carryforwards	49,308	82,745
Unrealized loss on investments	8,182	12,695
Accrued expenses and unearned income	31,067	22,614
Employee benefits	124,688	120,603
Other	12,033	10,347
Deferred Tax Assets Net	225,278	249,004
Valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets	-29,501	-32,344
Total deferred income tax assets	195,777	216,660
Net deferred income tax assets	$86,198	$94,131

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_of

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Amount of Gross Unrecognized Income Tax Benefits (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Beginning balance	$43,393	$41,371	$49,532
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	4,493	891	1,416
Additions for income tax positions of prior years	12,854	2,230	2,039
Impact of changes in exchange rates	-71	118	-286
Settlements with tax authorities	-1,052	-179	-165
Reductions for income tax positions of prior years	-3,520	-63	-1,052
Reductions due to the lapse of the applicable statute of limitations	-1,161	-975	-10,113
Ending balance	$54,936	$43,393	$41,371

Income_Taxes_Summary_of_Tax_Ye

Income Taxes - Summary of Tax Years Open for Examination (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
United States [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]	'
Open tax year	'2001
United States [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]	'
Open tax year	'2012
India [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]	'
Open tax year	'2006
India [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]	'
Open tax year	'2013
Japan [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]	'
Open tax year	'2007
Japan [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]	'
Open tax year	'2012
United Kingdom [Member]	'
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]	'
Open tax year	'2010
United Kingdom [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]	'
Open tax year	'2008
United Kingdom [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]	'
Open tax year	'2012

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Additio

Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Feb. 29, 2012

Feb. 29, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Feb. 29, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Feb. 29, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

2013 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

2008 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]

Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Stock Appreciation Rights Outstanding On October 24, 2012 [Member]

Chief Executive Officer [Member]

Stock Option Repricing in November 2012 [Member]

Stock Option Repricing in February 2012 [Member]

Stock Option Repricing in February 2012 [Member]

Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Cost Reduction Initiative [Member]

Cost Reduction Initiative [Member]

Cost Reduction Initiative [Member]

Cost Reduction Initiative [Member]

Cost Reduction Initiative [Member]

Cost Reduction Initiative [Member]

Stock Options [Member]

Stock Options [Member]

Stock Options [Member]

Stock Options [Member]

Stock Options [Member]

Stock Options [Member]

Stock Options [Member]

Stock Options [Member]

Stock Options [Member]

Stock Options [Member]

Scenario, Forecast [Member]

Scenario, Forecast [Member]

Scenario, Forecast [Member]

Scenario, Forecast [Member]

Third Anniversary Of Grant Date [Member]

Fourth Anniversary Of Grant Date [Member]

Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]

Employee

Options Outstanding on February 29, 2012 [Member]

Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]

Position

Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]

Product Development [Member]

Integrated Healthcare Services [Member]

Cost of Revenue [Member]

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]

Stock Option Repricing in November 2012 [Member]

Stock Option Repricing in November 2012 [Member]

Stock Option Repricing in November 2012 [Member]

Stock Option Repricing in November 2012 [Member]

Stock Option Repricing in February 2012 [Member]

Stock Option Repricing in February 2012 [Member]

Stock Option Repricing in February 2012 [Member]

Bond Investments [Member]

Equity Investments [Member]

Diversified Growth Funds [Member]

Employee

Deferred Cost [Member]

Options Outstanding on October 2012 [Member]

Options Outstanding on February 29, 2012 [Member]

Options Outstanding on February 29, 2012 [Member]

Options Outstanding on February 29, 2012 [Member]

Deferred Cost [Member]

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Expenses related to matching contributions

'

$26,100,000

$24,300,000

$19,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization of prior service costs

'

336,000

411,000

413,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

78,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization of actuarial losses

'

-708,000

-758,000

-902,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

670,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated benefit obligation

'

118,400,000

111,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Projected benefit obligation related to unfunded plans

'

77,700,000

71,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated benefit obligation related to unfunded plan

'

63,600,000

57,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long term government bonds premium percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.00%

4.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Defined benefit plan, target allocation percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

40.00%

35.00%

15.00%

'

'

Defined benefit plan, target allocation percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

45.00%

25.00%

'

'

Estimated employer contribution to defined benefit plan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

13,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Number of shares available for future grant

'

'

'

'

8,659,733

970,257

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Expiry period of options from grant date

'

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of options granted per annum

20.00%

25.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of shares granted under option

'

2,363,500

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

38,580

10,166,820

5,561,700

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of options granted per annum

'

'

'

'

'

'

25.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

33.00%

67.00%

Weighted average fair value per share of options granted

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$14.39

$6.34

$6.73

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total intrinsic value of options exercised

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

27,100,000

4,600,000

1,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from options exercised

'

12,539,000

350,000

1,114,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

12,500,000

2,500,000

1,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of shares repurchased that are vested

'

1,990,540

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Intrinsic value of vested in the money employee stock options

'

59,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average remaining contractual life of the options outstanding

'

'6 years 9 months 4 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average remaining contractual life of the options exercisable

'

'4 years 8 months 19 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate intrinsic value of the exercisable stock options and the stock options expected to vest

'

232,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Authorized reduction in exercise price per share of cash settled stock appreciation rights outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$2.09

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$2.09

$2.82

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total number of employees and directors to whom options were granted

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

228

'

222

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate incremental share-based compensation expense outstanding stock options

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9,200,000

11,400,000

2,200,000

'

7,100,000

4,500,000

2,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock appreciation rights vesting description

'

'

'

'

'

'

'These awards either (i) vest 25% per year or (ii) vest 33% on the third anniversary of the date of grant and 67% on the fourth anniversary of the date of grant.

'

'One-third of the RSUs vest on the third anniversary of the date of grant

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value of Stock Appreciation Rights granted

'

'

'

'

'

'

$19.07

$8.16

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash paid to settle exercised SARs

'

'

'

'

'

'

83,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of SARs Exercised

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,225,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average remaining contractual life of SARs outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'9 years 1 month 6 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average remaining contractual life of SARs exercisable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'8 years 7 months 6 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate intrinsic value of exercisable expected to vest

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock appreciation rights exercise price description

'

'The Company's Board authorized a $2.09 per share reduction in the exercise price of all non-vested cash-settled SARs outstanding on October 24, 2012.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of days for stock units to settle in common stock from vesting date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'45 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of stock units outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

57,167

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Intrinsic value of stock units outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,858,000

516,000

2,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Employee stock purchase plan payroll deductions percent

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Discount on closing price of share

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate number of shares that may be issued under ESPP

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair market value of shares under ESPP

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Severance expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

14,100,000

300,000

12,300,000

1,500,000

4,000,000

10,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of positions expected to be eliminated

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

270

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring reserve

'

5,474,000

12,784,000

14,860,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

14,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payments for cost reduction program

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Summary

Employee Benefit Plans - Summary of Components of Pension Expenses Related to Defined Benefit Plans (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Service cost	$13,227	$13,839	$11,939
Interest cost	3,684	3,775	3,762
Expected return on plan assets	-3,442	-2,822	-3,048
Amortization of prior service costs	336	411	413
Amortization of actuarial losses	708	758	902
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Total	$14,513	$15,961	$13,968

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Weighte

Employee Benefit Plans - Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Determining Pension Expense (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Discount rate	3.06%	3.32%	3.68%
Rate of compensation increases	4.74%	4.96%	4.96%
Expected return on plan assets	5.33%	5.23%	6.17%

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Financi

Employee Benefit Plans - Financial Information About Defined Benefit Plans (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Projected benefit obligation January 1	$130,323	$118,076	'
Service costs	13,227	13,839	11,939
Interest cost	3,684	3,775	3,762
Expected return on plan assets	-3,442	-2,822	-3,048
Actuarial losses	1,890	9,469	'
Benefits paid	-5,917	-7,132	'
Foreign currency fluctuations and other	-4,655	-4,882	'
Projected benefit obligation December 31	135,110	130,323	118,076
Plan assets at fair value, January 1	68,258	55,590	'
Actual return on plan assets	5,928	4,551	'
Contributions	8,620	12,935	'
Benefits paid	-5,917	-7,132	'
Foreign currency fluctuations and other	5,898	2,314	'
Plan assets at fair value, December 31	82,787	68,258	55,590
Unfunded balance	$52,323	$62,065	'

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Summary1

Employee Benefit Plans - Summary of Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Deposits and other assets	$18,835	$10,523
Accrued expenses	8,622	9,787
Other long-term liabilities	62,536	62,801
Accumulated other comprehensive income	($5,044)	($8,235)

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Summary2

Employee Benefit Plans - Summary of Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	'	'	($2,572)	'
Reclassification adjustments included in pension expense:	'	'	'	'
Amortization	'	655	723	762
Amounts arising during the period:	'	'	'	'
Tax rate adjustments	8,100	95,965	93,364	15,105
Actuarial changes in benefit obligation	'	2,304	-3,120	'
Ending balance	'	-2,088	-5,021	'
Prior Service Costs [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	'	'	-854	'
Reclassification adjustments included in pension expense:	'	'	'	'
Amortization	'	336	411	'
Amounts arising during the period:	'	'	'	'
Tax rate adjustments	'	'	'	'
Actuarial changes in benefit obligation	'	'	'	'
Ending balance	'	-107	-443	'
Actuarial Net (Gain) Loss [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	'	'	-3,934	'
Reclassification adjustments included in pension expense:	'	'	'	'
Amortization	'	708	758	'
Amounts arising during the period:	'	'	'	'
Tax rate adjustments	'	'	'	'
Actuarial changes in benefit obligation	'	2,147	-4,616	'
Ending balance	'	-4,937	-7,792	'
Deferred Income Taxes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	'	'	2,216	'
Reclassification adjustments included in pension expense:	'	'	'	'
Amortization	'	-389	-446	'
Amounts arising during the period:	'	'	'	'
Tax rate adjustments	'	-26	-52	'
Actuarial changes in benefit obligation	'	157	1,496	'
Ending balance	'	$2,956	$3,214	'

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Weighte1

Employee Benefit Plans - Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Determining Pension Obligations (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Discount Rate	3.01%	3.06%
Rate of compensation increases	4.36%	4.74%

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Schedul

Employee Benefit Plans - Schedule of Fair Value Measurement (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	$82,787	$68,258	$55,590
Funds that hold debt investments primarily government bonds [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	19,826	31,315	'
Funds that hold United Kingdom equity investments [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	8,393	22,924	'
Funds that hold global equity investments [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	11,169	9,730	'
Diversified Growth Funds [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	42,733	3,238	'
Other [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined benefit plan, fair value of plan assets	$661	$1,051	'

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Schedul1

Employee Benefit Plans - Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments Under the Defined Benefit Plans (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
2014	$9,769
2015	9,345
2016	9,785
2017	10,915
2018	11,427
Years 2019 through 2023	61,590
Total	$112,831

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Summary3

Employee Benefit Plans - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Number of Options Outstanding at Beginning Balance	11,054,690
Number of Options, Granted	2,363,500
Number of Options, Exercised	-916,620
Number of Options, Cash settled	-1,990,540
Number of Options, Canceled	-410,870
Number of Options Outstanding at Ending Balance	10,100,160
Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding at Beginning Balance	$17.17
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Granted	$40.08
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercised	$13.68
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Cash settled	$13.74
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Canceled	$29.95
Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding at Ending Balance	$23
Aggregate Intrinsic Value Outstanding at Beginning Balance	$142,626
Aggregate Intrinsic Value Outstanding at Ending Balance	$235,729

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Schedul2

Employee Benefit Plans - Schedule of Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Exercise Price Range $4.70 - $013.06 [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Number of Options Outstanding	1,845,650
Exercise Price Lower Range Outstanding	$4.70
Exercise Price Upper Range Outstanding	$13.06
Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding	$11,200
Weighted Average Remaining Life Outstanding (in years)	'3 years 3 months 18 days
Number of Options Exercisable	1,771,650
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$11.22
Exercise Price Range $13.40 - $15.88 [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Number of Options Outstanding	1,646,900
Exercise Price Lower Range Outstanding	$13.40
Exercise Price Upper Range Outstanding	$15.88
Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding	$15,280
Weighted Average Remaining Life Outstanding (in years)	'4 years 3 months 15 days
Number of Options Exercisable	1,466,700
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$15.36
Exercise Price Range $17.11 - $21.20 [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Number of Options Outstanding	1,692,755
Exercise Price Lower Range Outstanding	$17.11
Exercise Price Upper Range Outstanding	$21.20
Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding	$19,270
Weighted Average Remaining Life Outstanding (in years)	'6 years 11 months 9 days
Number of Options Exercisable	788,595
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$18.92
Exercise Price Range $21.22 - $24.59 [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Number of Options Outstanding	2,675,855
Exercise Price Lower Range Outstanding	$21.22
Exercise Price Upper Range Outstanding	$24.59
Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding	$24,250
Weighted Average Remaining Life Outstanding (in years)	'8 years 4 months 17 days
Number of Options Exercisable	581,258
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$24.21
Exercise Price Range $25.64 - $30.07 [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Number of Options Outstanding	128,500
Exercise Price Lower Range Outstanding	$25.64
Exercise Price Upper Range Outstanding	$30.07
Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding	$28,230
Weighted Average Remaining Life Outstanding (in years)	'9 years
Number of Options Exercisable	13,375
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$25.64
Exercise Price Range $40.00 - $44.75 [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Number of Options Outstanding	2,110,500
Exercise Price Lower Range Outstanding	$40
Exercise Price Upper Range Outstanding	$44.75
Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding	$40,440
Weighted Average Remaining Life Outstanding (in years)	'9 years 4 months 13 days
Number of Options Exercisable	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price	'

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Schedul3

Employee Benefit Plans - Schedule of Stock Appreciation Rights Activity (Detail) (Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Number of SARs Outstanding Beginning Balance	94,250,000	'
Number of SARs Granted	172,600,000	'
Number of SARs Exercised	-4,225,000	0
Number of SARs Canceled	-4,600,000	'
Number of SARs Outstanding Ending Balance	258,025,000	94,250,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding Beginning Balance	$24.59	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price Granted	$40.55	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price Exercised	$24.59	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price Canceled	$24.59	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding Ending Balance	$35.26	$24.59
Aggregate Intrinsic Value Outstanding Beginning Balance	$516	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value Outstanding Ending Balance	$2,858	$516

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Summary4

Employee Benefit Plans - Summary of Compan's RSU Activity (Detail) (Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Number of RSUs Non-vested Beginning Balance	'
Number of RSUs Granted	57,167
Number of RSUs Non-vested Ending Balance	57,167
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Non-vested Beginning Balance	'
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Granted	$44.62
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Non-vested Ending Balance	$44.62

Related_Party_Transactions_Add

Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Business related travel expense	$2,700,000	$4,200,000	$4,900,000
Payment of fee for modification of agreement relating to business usage of airplane	1,500,000	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Maximum future annual reimbursements	2,500,000	'	'
Affiliated Entity [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fee for services	772,000	'	'
Affiliated Entity [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Scenario, Forecast [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fee for services	$19,200,000	'	'

Operations_by_Geographic_Locat2

Operations by Geographic Location - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]	'
Minimum percentage of revenue account for major country	10.00%

Operations_by_Geographic_Locat3

Operations by Geographic Location - Operations within Geographic Region (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Geographic Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Sales Revenue Services Net	$1,003,940	$932,727	$944,238	$927,435	$945,761	$913,588	$944,914	$888,035	$3,808,340	$3,692,298	$3,294,966
Reimbursed expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,291,205	1,173,215	1,032,782
Total revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,099,545	4,865,513	4,327,748
Americas [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Sales Revenue Services Net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,532,974	1,469,558	1,214,972
Americas [Member] | United States [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Sales Revenue Services Net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,351,160	1,288,990	1,054,379
Americas [Member] | Other [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Sales Revenue Services Net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	181,814	180,568	160,593
Europe and Africa [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Sales Revenue Services Net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,501,504	1,430,917	1,373,570
Europe and Africa [Member] | Other [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Sales Revenue Services Net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,139,262	1,086,065	1,052,424
Europe and Africa [Member] | United Kingdom [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Sales Revenue Services Net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	362,242	344,852	321,146
Asia-Pacific [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Sales Revenue Services Net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	773,862	791,823	706,424
Asia-Pacific [Member] | Other [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Sales Revenue Services Net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	334,980	291,543	257,124
Asia-Pacific [Member] | Japan [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Geographic Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Sales Revenue Services Net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$438,882	$500,280	$449,300

Operations_by_Geographic_Locat4

Operations by Geographic Location - Long Lived Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Long Lived Assets Geographic [Line Items]	'	'
Property, equipment and software, net	$292,485	$284,023
Americas [Member]	'	'
Long Lived Assets Geographic [Line Items]	'	'
Property, equipment and software, net	170,526	165,082
Americas [Member] | United States [Member]	'	'
Long Lived Assets Geographic [Line Items]	'	'
Property, equipment and software, net	168,380	162,365
Americas [Member] | Other [Member]	'	'
Long Lived Assets Geographic [Line Items]	'	'
Property, equipment and software, net	2,146	2,717
Europe and Africa [Member]	'	'
Long Lived Assets Geographic [Line Items]	'	'
Property, equipment and software, net	68,289	73,396
Europe and Africa [Member] | Other [Member]	'	'
Long Lived Assets Geographic [Line Items]	'	'
Property, equipment and software, net	18,246	19,549
Europe and Africa [Member] | United Kingdom [Member]	'	'
Long Lived Assets Geographic [Line Items]	'	'
Property, equipment and software, net	50,043	53,847
Asia-Pacific [Member]	'	'
Long Lived Assets Geographic [Line Items]	'	'
Property, equipment and software, net	53,670	45,545
Asia-Pacific [Member] | Other [Member]	'	'
Long Lived Assets Geographic [Line Items]	'	'
Property, equipment and software, net	27,574	27,940
Asia-Pacific [Member] | Japan [Member]	'	'
Long Lived Assets Geographic [Line Items]	'	'
Property, equipment and software, net	$26,096	$17,605

Segments_Additional_Informatio

Segments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
		Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'	'
Number of reportable segments	'	2
Management agreement termination fee	$25	'
Agreement modification fee	$1.50	'

Segments_Operations_by_Reporta

Segments - Operations by Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Service revenues	$1,003,940	$932,727	$944,238	$927,435	$945,761	$913,588	$944,914	$888,035	$3,808,340	$3,692,298	$3,294,966
Costs of revenue, service costs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,471,426	2,459,367	2,153,005
Selling, general and administrative expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	860,510	817,755	762,299
Income (loss) from operations	127,012	125,259	94,897	115,165	94,427	109,136	100,885	91,987	462,333	396,435	345,251
Restructuring costs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-14,071	-18,741	-22,116
Impairment charges	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-12,295
Operating Segments [Member] | Product Development [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Service revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,919,730	2,728,695	2,437,822
Costs of revenue, service costs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,752,800	1,683,340	1,464,297
Selling, general and administrative expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	604,663	567,500	548,784
Income (loss) from operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	562,267	477,855	424,741
Operating Segments [Member] | Integrated Healthcare Services [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Service revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	888,610	963,603	857,144
Costs of revenue, service costs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	718,626	776,027	688,708
Selling, general and administrative expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	127,860	127,067	110,247
Income (loss) from operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	42,124	60,509	58,189
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Selling, general and administrative expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	127,987	123,188	103,268
Income (loss) from operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-127,987	-123,188	-103,268
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring costs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-14,071	-18,741	-22,116
Impairment charges	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	($12,295)

Segments_Reconciliation_of_Ass

Segments - Reconciliation of Assets from Segments to Consolidated (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Assets	$3,066,797	$2,499,153	$2,322,917
Operating Segments [Member] | Product Development [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Assets	2,571,502	2,016,605	1,814,062
Operating Segments [Member] | Integrated Healthcare Services [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Assets	299,284	351,656	358,075
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Assets	$196,011	$130,892	$150,780

Segments_Reconciliation_of_Oth

Segments - Reconciliation of Other Significant Reconciling Items from Segments to Consolidated (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expenditures to acquire long-lived assets	$92,346	$71,336	$75,679
Operating Segments [Member] | Product Development [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expenditures to acquire long-lived assets	72,609	61,097	66,415
Operating Segments [Member] | Integrated Healthcare Services [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expenditures to acquire long-lived assets	18,162	8,181	6,753
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expenditures to acquire long-lived assets	$1,574	$2,058	$2,511

Segments_Depreciation_and_Amor

Segments - Depreciation and Amortization Expense (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization expense	$107,504	$98,288	$92,004
Operating Segments [Member] | Product Development [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization expense	82,047	68,825	68,029
Operating Segments [Member] | Integrated Healthcare Services [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization expense	20,475	24,366	19,785
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization expense	$4,982	$5,097	$4,190

Earnings_Per_Share_Reconciles_

Earnings Per Share - Reconciles the Basic to Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (Detail)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	124,147	115,710	116,232
Effect of dilutive stock options and share awards	3,715	2,086	1,704
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	127,862	117,796	117,936

Earnings_Per_Share_Summary_of_

Earnings Per Share - Summary of Weighted-Average Outstanding Stock Options Excluded from Computation of Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'
Weighted average shares subject to anti-dilutive stock options and share awards	1,765	2,363	1,929

Comprehensive_Income_Summary_o

Comprehensive Income - Summary of Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive (loss) Income (Detail) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Income Taxes [Member]

Income Taxes [Member]

Income Taxes [Member]

Income Taxes [Member]

Income Taxes [Member]

Income Taxes [Member]

Income Taxes [Member]

Income Taxes [Member]

Income Taxes [Member]

Income Taxes [Member]

Foreign Currency Translation [Member]

Foreign Currency Translation [Member]

Foreign Currency Translation [Member]

Marketable Securities [Member]

Marketable Securities [Member]

Marketable Securities [Member]

Derivative Instrument [Member]

Derivative Instrument [Member]

Derivative Instrument [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans [Member]

Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Member]

Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Member]

Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Member]

Reclassification Adjustments [Member]

Reclassification Adjustments [Member]

Reclassification Adjustments [Member]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Beginning Balance

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$19,312

$25,357

$43,164

$467

($191)

($94)

($33,542)

($26,345)

($14,208)

($8,235)

($4,788)

($4,387)

Adjustment of Deferred Tax (Asset) Liability

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,331

2,614

13,830

-5,380

-1,759

-6,094

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-25,141

-6,045

-17,276

5,241

658

-97

-393

-10,698

-26,032

2,147

-4,616

-1,716

Reclassification adjustments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-531

'

'

'

13,080

3,501

13,895

1,044

1,169

1,315

Ending Balance

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-5,829

19,312

25,357

5,708

467

-191

-20,855

-33,542

-26,345

-5,044

-8,235

-4,788

Beginning Balance

11,616

'

'

25,644

29,693

28,838

21,102

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ending Balance

37,541

11,616

'

25,644

29,693

28,838

21,102

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Beginning Balance

7,695

22,871

45,577

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications

-16,815

-18,087

-31,291

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reclassification adjustments

8,744

2,911

8,585

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ending Balance

($376)

$7,695

$22,871

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Comprehensive_Income_Reclassif

Comprehensive Income - Reclassification Adjustments from Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amortization of actuarial losses	'	($2,304)	$3,120	'
Income taxes	8,100	95,965	93,364	15,105
Interest rate swaps - increase to other expense	'	185	3,572	-9,073
Foreign exchange forward contracts - reduction (increase) to service revenues	'	5,099,545	4,865,513	4,327,748
Foreign Currency Translation [Member] | Reclassification Adjustments from Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Member]	'	'	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Increase in equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	'	'	'	-531
Total before income taxes	'	'	'	-531
Total net of income taxes	'	'	'	-531
Losses (Gains) on Derivative Instruments [Member] | Reclassification Adjustments from Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Member]	'	'	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total before income taxes	'	13,080	3,501	13,895
Income taxes	'	4,991	1,313	5,541
Total net of income taxes	'	8,089	2,188	8,354
Defined Benefit Plans [Member] | Reclassification Adjustments from Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Member]	'	'	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amortization of prior service costs	'	336	411	413
Amortization of actuarial losses	'	708	758	902
Total before income taxes	'	1,044	1,169	1,315
Income taxes	'	389	446	553
Total net of income taxes	'	655	723	762
Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Losses (Gains) on Derivative Instruments [Member] | Reclassification Adjustments from Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Member]	'	'	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Interest rate swaps - increase to interest expense	'	12,582	3,248	3,968
Interest rate swaps - increase to other expense	'	'	'	11,630
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Losses (Gains) on Derivative Instruments [Member] | Reclassification Adjustments from Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Member]	'	'	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Foreign exchange forward contracts - reduction (increase) to service revenues	'	$498	$253	($1,703)

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa2

Supplemental Cash Flow Information - Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:	'	'	'
Interest paid, net of capitalized interest	$115,494	$127,133	$100,906
Capitalized interest	'	'	42
Income taxes paid, net of refunds	70,983	103,976	63,369
Non-cash Investing Activities:	'	'	'
Acquisition of property and equipment utilizing capital leases	3,761	5,267	5,096
Fair value of contingent consideration payable in connection with acquisitions	$14,300	$1,990	$6,165

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud2

Quarterly Financial Data - Unaudited Quarterly Results of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Service revenues	$1,003,940	$932,727	$944,238	$927,435	$945,761	$913,588	$944,914	$888,035	$3,808,340	$3,692,298	$3,294,966
Income (loss) from operations	127,012	125,259	94,897	115,165	94,427	109,136	100,885	91,987	462,333	396,435	345,251
Net income	72,934	66,584	38,353	48,156	34,836	51,975	47,012	42,808	226,027	176,631	240,327
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	62	185	164	153	138	123	189	465	-564	-915	-1,445
Net income attributable to Quintiles Transnational Holdings Inc.	$72,996	$66,769	$38,517	$48,309	$34,974	$52,098	$47,201	$43,273	$226,591	$177,546	$241,772
Basic earnings per share	$0.57	$0.52	$0.31	$0.42	$0.30	$0.45	$0.41	$0.37	$1.83	$1.53	$2.08
Diluted earnings per share	$0.55	$0.50	$0.30	$0.41	$0.30	$0.44	$0.40	$0.37	$1.77	$1.51	$2.05

Subsequent_Event_Additional_In

Subsequent Event - Additional Information (Detail) (Subsequent Event [Member], USD $)	1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Cost of Restructuring	$13
Severance and Related Costs [Member] | Product Development [Member]	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Number of positions expected to be eliminated	400

Schedule_I_Condensed_Statement

Schedule I - Condensed Statements of Income (Detail) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Mar. 31, 2013

31-May-13

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Costs, expenses and other:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Selling, general and administrative

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

($860,510)

($817,755)

($762,299)

Income (loss) from operations

'

'

127,012

125,259

94,897

115,165

94,427

109,136

100,885

91,987

462,333

396,435

345,251

Interest income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,937

3,067

3,939

Interest expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-123,508

-134,371

-109,065

Loss on extinguishment of debt

-15,500

-1,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-19,831

-1,275

-46,377

Income before income taxes and equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated affiliates

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

323,116

267,428

184,675

Income tax benefit

'

'

'

'

8,100

'

'

'

'

'

95,965

93,364

15,105

Loss before equity in earnings of subsidiary

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

227,151

174,064

169,570

Equity in earnings of subsidiary

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1,124

2,567

70,757

Net income

'

'

72,996

66,769

38,517

48,309

34,974

52,098

47,201

43,273

226,591

177,546

241,772

Parent Company [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Costs, expenses and other:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Selling, general and administrative

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

23

6

Income (loss) from operations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-2

-23

-6

Interest income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-6

-14

-41

Interest expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9,242

21,134

25,798

Loss on extinguishment of debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15,501

'

31,656

Income before income taxes and equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated affiliates

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-24,739

-21,143

-57,419

Income tax benefit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-9,347

-7,601

-21,019

Loss before equity in earnings of subsidiary

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-15,392

-13,542

-36,400

Equity in earnings of subsidiary

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

241,983

191,088

278,172

Net income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$226,591

$177,546

$241,772

Schedule_I_Condensed_Statement1

Schedule I - Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	$72,934	$66,584	$38,353	$48,156	$34,836	$51,975	$47,012	$42,808	$226,027	$176,631	$240,327
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities, net of income taxes of $2,016, $258 and ($37)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3,225	400	-60
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net of income taxes of ($751), ($4,392) and ($9,969)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	358	-6,306	-16,063
Foreign currency translation, net of income taxes of ($2,465), $2,964 and ($3,851)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-22,663	-8,983	-13,376
Defined benefit plan adjustment, net of income taxes of ($131), ($1,444) and $27	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,278	-3,172	-1,743
Reclassification adjustments:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Losses on derivative instruments included in net income, net of income taxes of $4,991, $1,313 and $5,541	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	8,089	2,188	8,354
Amortization of prior service costs and losses included in net income, net of income taxes of $389, $446 and $553	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	655	723	762
Comprehensive income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	217,969	161,481	217,670
Parent Company [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	226,591	177,546	241,772
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities, net of income taxes of $2,016, $258 and ($37)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3,225	400	-60
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net of income taxes of ($751), ($4,392) and ($9,969)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	358	-6,306	-16,063
Foreign currency translation, net of income taxes of ($2,465), $2,964 and ($3,851)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-22,676	-9,009	-13,425
Defined benefit plan adjustment, net of income taxes of ($131), ($1,444) and $27	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,278	-3,172	-1,743
Reclassification adjustments:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Losses on derivative instruments included in net income, net of income taxes of $4,991, $1,313 and $5,541	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	8,089	2,188	8,354
Amortization of prior service costs and losses included in net income, net of income taxes of $389, $446 and $553	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	655	723	762
Foreign currency translation on sale of equity method investment	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-531
Comprehensive income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$218,520	$162,370	$219,066

Schedule_I_Condensed_Statement2

Schedule I - Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable equity securities, income taxes	$2,016	$258	($37)
Unrealized (losses) gains on derivative instruments, income taxes	-751	-4,392	-9,969
Foreign currency translation, net of income taxes	-2,465	2,964	3,851
Defined benefit plan adjustment, income taxes	131	1,444	-27
Losses on derivative instruments included in net income, income taxes	4,991	1,313	5,541
Amortization of prior service costs and losses included in net income, income taxes	389	446	553
Parent Company [Member]	'	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable equity securities, income taxes	2,016	258	-37
Unrealized (losses) gains on derivative instruments, income taxes	-751	-4,392	-9,969
Foreign currency translation, net of income taxes	-2,465	2,964	-3,851
Defined benefit plan adjustment, income taxes	-131	-1,444	27
Losses on derivative instruments included in net income, income taxes	4,991	1,313	5,541
Amortization of prior service costs and losses included in net income, income taxes	$389	$446	$553

Schedule_I_Condensed_Balance_S

Schedule I - Condensed Balance Sheets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Feb. 25, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$778,143	$567,728	$516,299	'	$646,615
Prepaid expenses	42,801	33,354	'	'	'
Other current assets and receivables	16,171	17,597	'	'	'
Total current assets	1,945,688	1,509,994	'	'	'
Deferred income taxes	32,864	37,313	'	'	'
Deposits and other assets	117,711	127,506	'	'	'
Total assets	3,066,797	2,499,153	2,322,917	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'	'
Accrued expenses	761,189	658,119	'	'	'
Income taxes payable	35,778	9,639	'	'	'
Total current liabilities	1,482,247	1,308,997	'	'	'
Long-term debt and obligations held under capital leases, less current portion	2,035,586	2,366,268	'	'	'
Investment in subsidiary	'	'	'	-30,000	'
Total liabilities	3,734,282	3,858,197	'	'	'
Commitments and contingencies	'	'	'	'	'
Shareholders' deficit:	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock and additional paid-in capital, 300,000 and 150,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, $0.01 par value, 129,652 and 115,764 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively	478,144	4,554	'	'	'
Accumulated deficit	-1,145,181	-1,371,772	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income	-376	7,695	22,871	'	45,577
Total shareholders' deficit	-667,413	-1,359,523	'	'	'
Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit	3,066,797	2,499,153	'	'	'
Parent Company [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	71,942	2,411	1,610	'	3,734
Prepaid expenses	'	17	'	'	'
Other current assets and receivables	2,995	'	'	'	'
Total current assets	74,937	2,428	'	'	'
Deferred income taxes	44	348	'	'	'
Deposits and other assets	26	5,097	'	'	'
Total assets	75,007	7,873	'	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'	'
Accrued expenses	'	63	'	'	'
Income taxes payable	302	467	'	'	'
Total current liabilities	302	530	'	'	'
Long-term debt and obligations held under capital leases, less current portion	'	294,787	'	'	'
Investment in subsidiary	739,115	1,068,952	'	'	'
Payable to subsidiary	3,003	3,127	'	'	'
Total liabilities	742,420	1,367,396	'	'	'
Commitments and contingencies	'	'	'	'	'
Shareholders' deficit:	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock and additional paid-in capital, 300,000 and 150,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, $0.01 par value, 129,652 and 115,764 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively	478,144	4,554	'	'	'
Accumulated deficit	-1,145,181	-1,371,772	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income	-376	7,695	'	'	'
Total shareholders' deficit	-667,413	-1,359,523	'	'	'
Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit	$75,007	$7,873	'	'	'

Schedule_I_Condensed_Balance_S1

Schedule I - Condensed Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Common stock, authorized	300,000,000	150,000,000	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01	'	'
Common stock, shares issued	129,652,000	115,764,000	'	'
Common stock, shares outstanding	129,652,000	115,764,000	115,966,141	116,399,585
Parent Company [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Common stock, authorized	300,000,000	150,000,000	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0	'	'
Common stock, shares issued	129,652,000	115,764,000	'	'
Common stock, shares outstanding	129,652,000	115,764,000	'	'

Schedule_I_Condensed_Statement3

Schedule I - Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating activities:	'	'	'
Net income	$226,027	$176,631	$240,327
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Amortization of debt issuance costs and discount	21,825	9,237	30,016
Provision for (benefit from) deferred income taxes	-24,236	16,595	-73,216
Change in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'	'
Accounts receivable and unbilled services	-151,681	-60,255	-115,748
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	107,047	58,345	67,382
Investing activities:	'	'	'
Investments in subsidiary, net of payments received	-7,353	-3,646	-17,846
Net cash used in investing activities	-240,175	-132,233	-224,838
Financing activities:	'	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of debt	2,060,755	2,441,017	1,980,000
Payment of debt issuance costs	-2,607	-9,728	-18,393
Issuance of common stock	525,000	3,116	'
Payment of common stock issuance costs	-35,439	'	'
Exercise of stock options	12,539	350	1,114
Repurchase of common stock	-6,434	-13,363	-14,324
Repurchase of stock options	-50,649	'	'
Dividends paid to common shareholders	'	-567,851	-288,322
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	70,957	-146,873	-59,309
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	210,415	51,429	-130,316
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	567,728	516,299	646,615
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	778,143	567,728	516,299
Parent Company [Member]	'	'	'
Operating activities:	'	'	'
Net income	226,591	177,546	241,772
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Amortization of debt issuance costs and discount	10,346	1,884	18,897
Subsidiary income	-119,998	'	'
Provision for (benefit from) deferred income taxes	304	-70	85
Change in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'	'
Accounts receivable and unbilled services	-2,995	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-21	-100	'
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	-62	63	-155
Income taxes payable and other liabilities	-9,651	-7,531	-21,105
Net cash provided by operating activities	104,514	171,792	239,494
Investing activities:	'	'	'
Investments in subsidiary, net of payments received	-179,847	118,712	584,914
Net cash used in investing activities	-179,847	118,712	584,914
Financing activities:	'	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of debt	'	293,877	'
Payment of debt issuance costs	'	-5,988	'
Repayment of debt	-300,000	'	-525,000
Issuance of common stock	525,000	3,466	1,114
Payment of common stock issuance costs	-35,439	'	'
Exercise of stock options	12,539	'	'
Repurchase of common stock	-6,434	-13,363	-14,324
Repurchase of stock options	-50,649	'	'
Intercompany with subsidiary	-15300000.00%	15600000.00%	'
Dividends paid to common shareholders	'	-567,851	-288,322
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	144,864	-289,703	-826,532
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	69,531	801	-2,124
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	2,411	1,610	3,734
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$71,942	$2,411	$1,610

Schedule_I_Additional_Informat

Schedule I - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Income tax benefit	($8,100)	($95,965)	($93,364)	($15,105)
Parent Company [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Minimum percentage of restricted net assets of consolidated subsidiaries of consolidated net assets	'	25.00%	'	'
Income tax benefit	'	$9,347	$7,601	$21,019

Schedule_I_Dividends_Paid_Deta

Schedule I - Dividends Paid (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Dividends Payable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash dividend paid to parent company	$121,985	$318,800	$35,900
Paid in November and December 2013 [Member]	'	'	'
Dividends Payable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash dividend paid to parent company	116,585	'	'
Paid in February 2013 [Member]	'	'	'
Dividends Payable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash dividend paid to parent company	5,400	'	'
Paid in November 2012 [Member]	'	'	'
Dividends Payable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash dividend paid to parent company	'	6,000	'
Paid in October 2012 [Member]	'	'	'
Dividends Payable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash dividend paid to parent company	'	241,700	'
Paid in August 2012 [Member]	'	'	'
Dividends Payable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash dividend paid to parent company	'	6,300	'
Paid in May 2012 [Member]	'	'	'
Dividends Payable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash dividend paid to parent company	'	4,800	'
Paid in March 2012 [Member]	'	'	'
Dividends Payable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash dividend paid to parent company	'	50,000	'
Paid in February 2012 [Member]	'	'	'
Dividends Payable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash dividend paid to parent company	'	10,000	'
Paid in August 2011 [Member]	'	'	'
Dividends Payable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash dividend paid to parent company	'	'	5,200
Paid in May 2011 [Member]	'	'	'
Dividends Payable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash dividend paid to parent company	'	'	$30,700

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual1

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Detail) (Parent Company [Member], Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Parent Company [Member] | Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member]	'	'	'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance at Beginning of Year	$32,344	$31,669	$38,281
Addition Charged to Expenses	3,611	4,173	4,883
Addition Charged to other accounts	'	'	961
Deductions	-6,454	-3,498	-12,456
Balance at End of Year	$29,501	$32,344	$31,669