CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income (loss)	$ 912.2us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ (863.6)us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ (116.0)us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization, including impairments of finite-lived intangible assets	1,737.6us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization	2,015.8us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization	986.2us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
Amortization and write-off of debt discounts and debt issuance costs	70.0	89.5	36.4
In-process research and development impairments	21.0us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentInProcess	151.9us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentInProcess	167.7us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentInProcess
Acquisition accounting adjustment on inventory sold	27.3	372.4	78.8
Acquisition-related contingent consideration	(14.1)	(29.2)	(5.3)
Allowances for losses on accounts receivable and inventories	81.3	68.3	21.8
Deferred income taxes	81.8	(515.9)	(319.6)
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets and businesses	(253.5)us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets	10.2us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets	10.8us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets
(Reduction) additions to accrued legal settlements	(44.7)	220.5	56.8
Payments of accrued legal settlements	(3.2)us-gaap_PaymentsForLegalSettlements	(180.8)us-gaap_PaymentsForLegalSettlements	(41.8)us-gaap_PaymentsForLegalSettlements
Share-based compensation	78.2us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation	45.5us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation	66.2us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
Tax benefits from stock options exercised	(17.1)	(24.2)	(12.5)
Foreign exchange loss (gain)	135.1	9.8	(23.8)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	129.6	65.0	20.1
Payment of accreted interest on contingent consideration	(10.7)	(11.1)	(2.3)
Other	32.3us-gaap_OtherNoncashIncomeExpense	(3.8)us-gaap_OtherNoncashIncomeExpense	(13.6)us-gaap_OtherNoncashIncomeExpense
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade receivables	(572.4)	(300.6)	(175.8)
Inventories	(174.3)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventories	(122.7)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventories	(80.3)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventories
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(110.3)	121.5	11.2
Accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities	188.6	(76.5)	(8.4)
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,294.7	1,042.0	656.6
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	(1,102.6)	(5,253.5)	(3,485.3)
Acquisition of intangible assets and other assets	(179.0)	(69.6)	(73.5)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(291.6)	(115.3)	(107.6)
Proceeds from sale of assets and businesses, net of costs to sell	1,492.3	41.1	92.0
Proceeds from sales and maturities of marketable securities and short-term investments	53.2	35.2	624.8
Purchases of marketable securities and short-term investments	(72.0)	(18.2)	(7.2)
Purchase of equity method investment	(75.9)	0	0
Proceeds from sale of equity method investment	75.9	0	0
Increase in restricted cash	0	0	(8.9)
Net cash used in investing activities	(99.7)	(5,380.3)	(2,965.7)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Issuance of long-term debt, net of discount	1,632.6	8,429.6	6,005.8
Repayments of long-term debt	(3,888.0)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt	(6,326.2)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt	(1,929.1)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt
Short-term debt borrowings	19.4us-gaap_ProceedsFromShortTermDebt	27.4us-gaap_ProceedsFromShortTermDebt	35.4us-gaap_ProceedsFromShortTermDebt
Short-term debt repayments	(28.4)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfShortTermDebt	(75.1)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfShortTermDebt	(31.1)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfShortTermDebt
Issuance of common stock, net	0	2,307.4	0
Repurchases of common shares	0	(55.6)	(280.7)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	17.2	10.0	23.0
Tax benefits from stock options exercised	17.1	24.2	12.5
Cash settlement of convertible debt	0vrx_SettlementOfConvertibleDebt	0vrx_SettlementOfConvertibleDebt	(606.3)vrx_SettlementOfConvertibleDebt
Payment of employee withholding tax upon vesting of share-based awards	(44.1)	(65.5)	(31.1)
Payments of contingent consideration	(106.1)vrx_PaymentsOfContingentConsideration	(130.1)vrx_PaymentsOfContingentConsideration	(103.9)vrx_PaymentsOfContingentConsideration
Payments of financing costs	(55.2)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtIssuanceCosts	(116.3)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtIssuanceCosts	(33.2)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtIssuanceCosts
Other	(8.2)us-gaap_PaymentsToMinorityShareholders	(2.1)us-gaap_PaymentsToMinorityShareholders	(4.0)us-gaap_PaymentsToMinorityShareholders
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(2,443.7)	4,027.7	3,057.3
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(29.0)	(5.2)	3.8
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(277.7)	(315.8)	752.0
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	600.3	916.1	164.1
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	322.6	600.3	916.1
Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities
Acquisition of businesses, contingent consideration at fair value	(93.8)	(76.1)	(145.7)
Acquisition of businesses, debt assumed	$ (11.2)	$ (4,264.7)	$ (825.2)

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 25

-Subparagraph (g)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3536-108585

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- Definition

The cash outflow to reacquire common stock during the period.

+ References

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition

The cash outflow paid to third parties in connection with debt origination, which will be amortized over the remaining maturity period of the associated long-term debt.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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- Definition

Amount of cash outflow to satisfy an employee's income tax withholding obligation as part of a net-share settlement of a share-based award.

+ References

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of a business, net of the cash acquired from the purchase.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the purchase of or advances to an equity method investments, which are investments in joint ventures and entities in which the entity has an equity ownership interest normally of 20 to 50 percent and exercises significant influence.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3213-108585

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- Definition

The cash outflow to acquire asset without physical form usually arising from contractual or other legal rights, excluding goodwill.

+ References

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition

Cash outflow for purchase of trading, available-for-sale securities and held-to-maturity securities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 11

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-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph (a),(b)

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The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale; includes cash outflows to pay for construction of self-constructed assets.

+ References

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition

Amount of cash outflow to a noncontrolling interest. Includes, but not limited to, reduction of noncontrolling interest ownership. Excludes dividends paid to the noncontrolling interest.

+ References

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition

The cash inflow from the additional capital contribution to the entity.

+ References

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash inflow from a debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

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- Definition

The cash inflow associated with the sale or maturity (principal being due) of securities not classified as either held-to-maturity securities or trading securities which are classified as available-for-sale securities.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

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-Publisher FASB

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-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 12

-Subparagraph (a),(b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3179-108585

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- Definition

The cash inflow associated with the sale of equity method investments, which are investments in joint ventures and entities in which the entity has an equity ownership interest normally of 20 to 50 percent and exercises significant influence.

+ References

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The cash inflow from the sale of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale.

+ References

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition

The cash inflow from a borrowing having initial term of repayment within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash inflow associated with the amount received from holders exercising their stock options. This item inherently excludes any excess tax benefit, which the entity may have realized and reported separately.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Financing Activities

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (j)

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 14

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3255-108585

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 55

-Paragraph 4K

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 19

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7656940&loc=SL4569616-111683

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-SubTopic 10

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-Paragraph 1A

-Subparagraph (a),(c)

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-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 55

-Paragraph 4J

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35736750&loc=SL4591551-111686

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow for debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 15

-Subparagraph (b)

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Financing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow for a borrowing having initial term of repayment within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of purchased research and development assets that are acquired in a business combination have no alternative future use and are therefore written off in the period of acquisition.

+ References

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Name:	us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentInProcess
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The aggregate amount of noncash, equity-based employee remuneration. This may include the value of stock or unit options, amortization of restricted stock or units, and adjustment for officers' compensation. As noncash, this element is an add back when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method.

+ References

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Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the acquisition accounting adjustment on inventory sold during the reporting period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vrx_AcquisitionAccountingAdjustmentOnInventorySold
Namespace Prefix:	vrx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of the current period expense charged against operations (1) for the purpose of reducing receivables to an amount that approximates their net realizable value and (2) the charge to cost of goods sold that represents the reduction of the carrying amount of inventory, generally attributable to obsolescence or market conditions.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vrx_AllowancesForLossesOnAccountsReceivableAndInventories
Namespace Prefix:	vrx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents contingent consideration at fair value of business acquisitions

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vrx_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityLiabilitiesIncurredContingentConsiderationAtFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	vrx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the cash-flow impact of any change, including any differences arising upon settlement, recognized during the reporting period in the value of an asset or assets, arising from an item of contingent consideration, recognized in a business combination.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vrx_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsChangeInAmountOfContingentConsiderationAssetCash
Namespace Prefix:	vrx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The noncash component of income tax expense for the period representing the increase (decrease) in the entity's deferred tax assets and liabilities pertaining to continuing operations.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vrx_DeferredIncomeTaxNoncashExpenseBenefit
Namespace Prefix:	vrx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the cash outflow during the reporting period for payment of accreted interest on contingent consideration.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vrx_PaymentOfAccretedInterestOnContingentConsideration
Namespace Prefix:	vrx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the acquisition-related contingent consideration payments.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vrx_PaymentsOfContingentConsideration
Namespace Prefix:	vrx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Settlement Of Convertible Debt

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vrx_SettlementOfConvertibleDebt
Namespace Prefix:	vrx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration