BUSINESS COMBINATIONS - Fair Value of Debt Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Apr. 01, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015
Convertible Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, amount recognized as of acquisition date	$ 3,123.1
Convertible Debt \| 1.5% Convertible Notes Due March 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, amount recognized as of acquisition date	$ 1,837.1
Stated interest rate on debt (as a percent)	1.50%	1.50%
Convertible Debt \| 2.75% Convertible Notes Due May 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, amount recognized as of acquisition date	$ 1,286.0
Stated interest rate on debt (as a percent)	2.75%	2.75%
Salix
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, amount recognized as of acquisition date	$ 3,123.1
Salix \| Convertible Debt \| 1.5% Convertible Notes Due March 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate on debt (as a percent)	1.50%
Salix \| Convertible Debt \| 2.75% Convertible Notes Due May 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate on debt (as a percent)	2.75%

Amount of long-term debt due after one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, assumed at the acquisition date.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56956791&loc=d3e4845-128472

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesLongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=vrx_ConvertibleNotes1.5DueMarch2019Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=vrx_ConvertibleNotes2.75DueMay2015Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=vrx_SalixMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: