Net increase or decrease in the carrying amount of the debt instrument for the period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(f))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

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- Definition

Incremental percentage increase (decrease) in the stated rate on a debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

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- 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.

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- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 19, 20, 22
-Article 5

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- Definition

Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: 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)
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 20, 22
-Article 5

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- Definition

The fair value amount of long-term debt whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- 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)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3291-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Financing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

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- Definition

Ratio of interest to adjusted EBITDA. Interest divided by adjusted EBITDA

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vrx_DebtCovenantInterestCoverageRatio
Namespace Prefix:	vrx_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Debt Instrument, Increase in Leverage Ratio

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No definition available.

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Repayment of Long-term Debt, Additional Payments

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No definition available.

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Repayment of Long-term Debt From Asset Disposal Proceeds

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No definition available.

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Repayment of Long-term Debt, Mandatory Contingent Payments

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No definition available.

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Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis=us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodTwoMember
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Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=vrx_SeriesA1andA2TrancheATermLoanFacilitiesMember
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LONG-TERM DEBT - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions			9 Months Ended
LONG-TERM DEBT - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	Aug. 23, 2016	Apr. 11, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Aug. 22, 2016	Apr. 10, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt			$ 30,445.2				$ 31,088.4
Total fair value of long-term debt			28,850.0				$ 29,600.0
Voluntary prepayment			1,917.1	$ 1,387.2
Term Loan Facilities
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Voluntary prepayment			1,550.0
Prepayments related to asset sale proceeds			62.0
Additional voluntary payments			275.0
Mandatory excess cash flow payments			125.0
Net borrowings			850.0
Payments Scheduled March and June 2016 \| Term Loan Facilities
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal reduction			419.0
Payments Scheduled September and December 2016 \| Term Loan Facilities
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal reduction			530.0
Series A-1 and A-2 Tranche A Term Loan Facilities \| Term Loan Facilities
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal reduction			$ 260.0
August 2016 Credit Facility Amendment
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest coverage ratio	2.00
Interest rate increase (decrease)	0.50%
Increase in leverage ratio	0.50%
Amended Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest coverage ratio		2.75				3.00
Interest rate increase (decrease)		1.00%
Fiscal Quarter Ending June 2016 through March 2017 [Member] \| Amended Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest coverage ratio					2.75
Fiscal Quarter After March 2017 [Member] \| Amended Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest coverage ratio					3.00