Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Intangible Assets Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Jul. 01, 2017	Apr. 01, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 29, 2018
Schedule of Definite and Indefinite Intangible Asset [Line Items]
Amortization of intangible assets				$ 333.6	$ 349.6	$ 356.8
Goodwill impairment charge				136.7
Impairment of intangible assets, indefinite-lived		$ 12.2
Definite lived assets, gross				4,379.3	4,661.7
Impairment of intangible assets	$ 18.5
CHCA
Schedule of Definite and Indefinite Intangible Asset [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment charge				136.7
Goodwill and intangible asset impairment				213.3
Impairment of intangible assets, indefinite-lived				27.7
CHCI
Schedule of Definite and Indefinite Intangible Asset [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment charge				0.0		868.4
Impairment of intangible assets, indefinite-lived						849.1
Impairment of intangible assets, definite-lived intangible						321.4
RX
Schedule of Definite and Indefinite Intangible Asset [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment charge				0.0
Impairment of intangible assets, definite-lived intangible					18.5
Specialty Sciences
Schedule of Definite and Indefinite Intangible Asset [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment charge						199.6
Entocort® | RX
Schedule of Definite and Indefinite Intangible Asset [Line Items]
Impairment of intangible assets						342.2
In-process research and development
Schedule of Definite and Indefinite Intangible Asset [Line Items]
Impairment of intangible assets, indefinite-lived				8.7	12.7	$ 3.5
Developed product technology, formulations, and product rights
Schedule of Definite and Indefinite Intangible Asset [Line Items]
Definite lived assets, gross				1,318.8	1,358.4
Developed product technology, formulations, and product rights | CHCA
Schedule of Definite and Indefinite Intangible Asset [Line Items]
Impairment of intangible assets, definite-lived intangible				41.6
Customer relationships and distribution networks
Schedule of Definite and Indefinite Intangible Asset [Line Items]
Definite lived assets, gross				178.6	$ 311.2
Customer relationships and distribution networks | CHCA
Schedule of Definite and Indefinite Intangible Asset [Line Items]
Impairment of intangible assets, definite-lived intangible				2.8
Trademarks, trade names, and brands | CHCA
Schedule of Definite and Indefinite Intangible Asset [Line Items]
Impairment of intangible assets, definite-lived intangible				$ 4.5
Reclassified Indefinite-lived Intangible Asset
Schedule of Definite and Indefinite Intangible Asset [Line Items]
Definite lived assets, gross							$ 5.4
Animal health | CHCA
Schedule of Definite and Indefinite Intangible Asset [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment charge			$ 24.5