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of diluted earnings per share Assets TOTAL ASSETS Assets [Abstract] ASSETS Assets Current Total current assets Assets Current [Abstract] Current Assets: Assets Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] Asset: Assumed Sales Revenue for Royalty Payments Assumed Sales Revenue For Royalty Payments Net sales for potential royalty payments Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Axis] Bridge Loan [Member] Bridge Loan Business Developments [Axis] Business Developments [Axis] Business Developments Business Developments [Domain] Business Developments [Domain] Business Developments [Domain] Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD Cash and cash equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents Fair Value Disclosure Cash equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Cash And Cash Equivalents Policy [Text Block] Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash Flow Noncash Investing And Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Non-cash transactions: Cash Paid During Period For [Abstract] Cash Paid During Period For [Abstract] Cash paid during the year for: Chemport [Member] Chemport [Member] Chemport Class Of Stock [Domain] Class of Stock [Domain] Class Of Warrant Or Right [Axis] Class of Warrant or Right Class Of Warrant Or Right [Domain] Class of Warrant or Right [Domain] Class Of Warrant Or Right Exercise Price Of Warrants Or Rights Exercise Price Class of Warrant or Right, Expiration Date Class Of Warrant Or Right Expiration Date Expiration Date Class of Warrant or Right, Fair Value Assumption, Expected Life Class Of Warrant Or Right Fair Value Assumption Expected Life Warrant derivative liability valuation assumptions, remaining term Class of Warrant or Right, Fair Value Assumption, Risk Free Interest Rate Class Of Warrant Or Right Fair Value Assumption Risk Free Interest Rate Warrant derivative liability valuation assumptions, risk-free rate Class of Warrant or Right, 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[Text Block] Foreign Currency Further Indication for AMR101 [Member] Further Indication For Amr One Zero One [Member] Further Indication for AMR101 Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments (Loss) income from operations before taxes Income Statement [Abstract] Income Statement [Abstract] Income Taxes Paid Income taxes Income Tax Expense Benefit Provision for income taxes Income Tax Policy [Text Block] Income Taxes Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable And Other Operating Liabilities Accounts payable and other liabilities Increase Decrease In Derivative Liabilities Increase (Decrease) in the fair value of warrant derivative liability Increase Decrease In Interest Payable Net Accrued interest payable Increase Decrease In Inventories Inventory Increase (Decrease) In Lease Related Liabilities Increase Decrease In Lease Related Liabilities Change in lease liability Increase Decrease In Operating Capital [Abstract] Changes in assets and liabilities: Increase Decrease In Other Current Assets Other current assets Increase Decrease In Other Noncurrent Assets Other non-current assets Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Call Options And Warrants Dilutive effect of employee stock options and warrants Initial Payment [Member] Initial Payment [Member] Initial Payment Instrument [Axis] Instrument Instrument Type [Member] Instrument Type [Domain] Interest Expense Debt Convertible senior notes, interest expense Interest Expense Debt Excluding Amortization Interest expense, contractual coupon interest accrual Interest Income Expense Nonoperating Net Interest (expense) income, net Interest Paid Interest Interest payment on notes Interest Payable Current Accrued interest on convertible note Inventory Net Inventory Inventory Policy [Text Block] Inventory Issuance Of Stock And Warrants For Services Or Claims Shares issued for services Laxdale Limited [Member] Laxdale Limited [Member] Laxdale Limited Legal Entity [Axis] Legal Entity [Axis] Liabilities Total liabilities Liabilities And Stockholders Equity TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) Liabilities And Stockholders Equity [Abstract] LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) Liabilities Current Total current liabilities Liabilities Current [Abstract] Current Liabilities: Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] Liability: Liabilities For Commitments [Axis] Liabilities For Commitments [Axis] Liabilities For Commitments [Axis] Liabilities For Commitments [Domain] Liabilities For Commitments [Domain] Liabilities For Commitments [Domain] Liabilities Noncurrent [Abstract] Long-Term Liabilities: Liability For Uncertain Tax Positions Noncurrent Liability for uncertain tax positions Long Term Debt Noncurrent Long term debt Longterm Debt Type [Axis] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Longterm Debt Type [Domain] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Long Term Purchase Commitment Amount Raw material purchase commitment Loss Contingencies By Nature Of Contingency [Axis] Loss Contingency Nature [Axis] Loss Contingency Nature [Domain] Loss Contingency, Nature [Domain] Maturity Period Used to Classify Investments Maturity Period Used To Classify Investments Short term highly liquid instruments, maturity date Maximum [Member] Maximum Minimum [Member] Minimum Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities Net cash provided by financing activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities [Abstract] CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities [Abstract] CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Net cash used in operating activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net Income Loss Net loss Loss for the period Net (loss) income Net (loss) income Notes Payable Other Payables [Member] 3.5% exchangeable senior notes due 2032 Number of Agreements Number Of Agreements Number of signed agreements Number of Warrants Exercised Number Of Warrants Exercised Warrants exercised, number of warrants October 2009 Private Placement [Member] October Twenty Zero Nine Private Placement [Member] October 2009 Private Placement Operating Expenses Total operating expenses Operating Expenses [Abstract] Operating Expenses: Operating Income Loss Operating loss Ordinary Shares [Member] Ordinary Shares [Member] Ordinary Shares Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items] Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Table] Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure 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Options Grants In Period Restricted stock units granted Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Vesting Date Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Vesting Date Restricted stock units, expiration date Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Award Type And Plan Name [Domain] Award Type [Domain] Share Based Compensation Option And Incentive Plans Policy Stock-Based Compensation Shares Outstanding Ending Balance (in shares) Beginning Balance (in shares) Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] Significant Accounting Policies [Table] Significant Accounting Policies [Table] Significant Accounting Policies [Table] Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Significant Accounting Policies Significant Assumptions in Market Price Of Stock Significant Assumptions In Market Price Of Stock Hypothetical increase in the market price Statement Class Of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Axis] Statement Equity Components [Axis] Statement, Equity Components Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Statement Of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement Of Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement Scenario [Axis] Statement, Scenario Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Stockholders Equity Ending Balance Beginning Balance Total stockholders' equity (deficit) Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Stockholders' Equity (Deficit): Stockholders Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Equity Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items] Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items] Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items] Stockholders Equity Note [Table] Stockholders Equity Note [Table] Stockholders Equity Note [Table] Value of restricted stock or stock options granted to nonemployees as payment for services rendered or acknowledged claims. Stock Issued During Period Of Stock And Warrants For Services Or Claims Shares issued for services Stock Issued During Period Shares New Issues Common stock issued under private placement, shares Shares issued in January financing (in shares) Stock Issued During Period Shares Of Stock And Warrants For Services Stock Issued During Period Shares Of Stock And Warrants For Services Shares issued for services (in shares) Stock Issued During Period Shares Restricted Stock Award Net Of Forfeitures Restricted stock units, shares issued Vesting of restricted stock units (in shares) Stock Issued During Period Shares Stock Options Exercised Shares issued, exercise of stock options Stock options exercised (in shares) Number of shares issued during the period as a result of the exercise of warrants. Stock Issued During Period Shares Stock Warrants Exercised Shares issued, exercise of warrants Warrants exercised (in shares) Stock Issued During Period Value New Issues Common stock issued under private placement, value Shares issued in January financing Stock Issued During Period Value Restricted Stock Award Net Of Forfeitures Vesting of restricted stock units Stock Issued During Period Value Stock Options Exercised Stock options exercised Value stock issued during the period as a result of the exercise of warrants. Stock Issued During Period Value Stock Warrants Exercised Warrants exercised Subsidiary Sale Of Stock [Axis] Subsidiary, Sale of Stock Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Supplier D [Member] Supplier D [Member] Fourth API supplier Text Block [Abstract] Text Block [Abstract] Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Treasury Stock [Member] Treasury shares Treasury Stock Shares Treasury stock, shares Treasury Stock Value Treasury stock; 20,079 shares at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 Unrealized Gain Loss On Derivatives Loss (Gain) on change in fair value of derivative liability (Gain) loss on change in fair value of derivative liability Gain (loss) on change in fair value of derivative liability Loss on change in fair value of derivative liability Up On First Marketing Approval of AMR101 [Member] Up On First Marketing Approval Of Amr One Zero One [Member] Up On First Marketing Approval of AMR101 Warrant Derivative Liability Fair Value Disclosure Significant Assumptions Warrant Derivative Liability Fair Value Disclosure Significant Assumptions Increase (decrease) in the fair value of the warrant derivative liability Warrant 5 [Member] Warrant Five [Member] Warrant issued on 7/31/09 Warrant 4 [Member] Warrant Four [Member] Warrant issued on 7/31/09 Warrant Issued to Employees [Member] Warrant Issued To Employees [Member] Warrant Issued to Employees Warrant [Member] Warrant Warrant 1 [Member] Warrant One [Member] Warrant issued on 4/27/07 Warrants Issued October 2009 [Member] Warrants Issued October Twenty Zero Nine [Member] Warrants Issued October 2009 Warrant 6 [Member] Warrant Six [Member] Warrant issued on 10/16/09 Warrant 3 [Member] Warrant Three [Member] Warrant issued on 12/5/07 Warrant 2 [Member] Warrant Two [Member] Warrant issued on 6/1/07 Weighted Average Number Basic And Diluted, Shares Outstanding [Abstract] Weighted Average Number Basic And Diluted Shares Outstanding [Abstract] Weighted average shares: Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding Diluted Diluted weighted average shares outstanding Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic Basic Weighted average shares outstanding