SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Oct. 01, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 18, 2012	Dec. 29, 2014	Nov. 23, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Feb. 06, 2014	Feb. 20, 2015	Feb. 17, 2015	Jan. 30, 2015	Jan. 22, 2015
Subsequent events
Issuance of long-term debt, net of discount	$ 1,632,600,000	$ 8,429,600,000	$ 6,005,800,000
Redemption price as a percentage of principal amount as per the merger agreement	101.00%
BMS Collaboration and Option Agreements
Subsequent events
Number of years granted for rights to promote, market, and sell in several countries in Europe				2 years
Consideration paid for rights					83,300,000
Revolving credit facility
Subsequent events
Maximum borrowing capacity		1,000,000,000
Aggregate principal amount of notes repurchased						37,900,000
6.875% Senior Notes due in December 2018
Subsequent events
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	6.875%	6.875%						6.875%
Aggregate principal amount of notes repurchased							445,000,000		55,400,000
Repurchases of convertible debt							462,700,000
Call premium							15,300,000
Issuance of term loan								1,000,000,000
Series A-3 Tranche A Term Loan Facility
Subsequent events
Issuance of term loan										225,600,000
Subsequent event
Subsequent events
Amendment obtainment period from date of Commitment Letter											30 days
Subsequent event | Incremental Term Loan Facilities
Subsequent events
Maximum borrowing capacity											5,550,000,000.00
Subsequent event | Term Loan Facility
Subsequent events
Maximum borrowing capacity											11,200,000,000.0
Subsequent event | Revolving credit facility
Subsequent events
Maximum borrowing capacity											500,000,000			1,500,000,000.0
Subsequent event | Senior Unsecured Bridge Facility One | Bridge loan facility
Subsequent events
Maximum borrowing capacity											9,600,000,000.0
Subsequent event | Senior Secured Bridge Facility | Bridge loan facility
Subsequent events
Maximum borrowing capacity											1,050,000,000.00
Subsequent event | Senior Unsecured Bridge Facility Two | Bridge loan facility
Subsequent events
Maximum borrowing capacity											9,750,000,000.00
Subsequent event | Senior Notes 6.00% Due 2021
Subsequent events
Stated interest rate (as a percent)											6.00%
Subsequent event | 1.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2019
Subsequent events
Stated interest rate (as a percent)											1.50%
Subsequent event | 2.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2015
Subsequent events
Stated interest rate (as a percent)											2.75%
Subsequent event | 6.875% Senior Notes due in December 2018
Subsequent events
Stated interest rate (as a percent)												6.875%
Aggregate principal amount of notes repurchased												499,600,000
Repurchases of convertible debt												524,000,000
Call premium												17,200,000
Subsequent event | 5.50% Senior Notes Due March 2023
Subsequent events
Stated interest rate (as a percent)													5.50%
Issuance of term loan													1,000,000,000
Underwriting fees													8,500,000
Issuance of long-term debt, net of discount													991,500,000
Maximum percentage of the aggregate principal amount that may be redeemed with the net proceeds of certain equity offerings													40.00%
Redemption price, using proceeds from certain equity offerings, as a percentage of the principal amount													105.50%
Redemption price as a percentage of principal amount as per the merger agreement													101.00%
Subsequent event | Series A-3 Tranche A Term Loan Facility
Subsequent events
Issuance of term loan														250,000,000
Salix | Subsequent event
Subsequent events
Number of products in product portfolio											22
Common stock, par value (in usd per share)											0.001
Per Share Consideration (in dollars per share)											158.00
Enterprise value											14,500,000,000