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This element represents the amount of recognized equity-based compensation during the period, that is, the amount recognized as expense in the income statement (or as asset if compensation is capitalized). Alternate captions include the words "stock-based compensation".

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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Total number of common shares of an entity that have been sold or granted to shareholders (includes common shares that were issued, repurchased and remain in the treasury). These shares represent capital invested by the firm's shareholders and owners, and may be all or only a portion of the number of shares authorized. Shares issued include shares outstanding and shares held in the treasury.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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- References

No definition available.

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Amount after tax of increase (decrease) to equity or (increase) decrease to net assets, resulting from the cumulative effect adjustment of a new accounting principle applied in the period of adoption.

No definition available.

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A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

No definition available.

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Decrease in noncontrolling interest balance from payment of dividends or other distributions by the non-wholly owned subsidiary or partially owned entity, included in the consolidation of the parent entity, to the noncontrolling interest holders.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Increase in noncontrolling interest balance because of a business combination that occurred during the period.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of other comprehensive income (loss).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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Number of new stock issued during the period.

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Period Type:	duration

Number of shares (or other type of equity) issued during the period as a result of any equity-based compensation plan other than an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), net of any shares forfeited. Shares issued could result from the issuance of restricted stock, the exercise of stock options, stock issued under employee stock purchase plans, and/or other employee benefit plans.

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Equity impact of the value of new stock issued during the period. Includes shares issued in an initial public offering or a secondary public offering.

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Value of stock (or other type of equity) issued during the period as a result of any equity-based compensation plan other than an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), net of stock value of such awards forfeited. Stock issued could result from the issuance of restricted stock, the exercise of stock options, stock issued under employee stock purchase plans, and/or other employee benefit plans.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Number of shares that have been repurchased and retired during the period.

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Equity impact of the value of stock that has been repurchased during the period and has not been retired and is not held in treasury. Some state laws may mandate the circumstances under which an entity may acquire its own stock and prescribe the accounting treatment therefore. This element is used when state law does not recognize treasury stock.

Name:	us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue
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Balance Type:	debit
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Amount of stockholders' equity (deficit), net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity, attributable to both the parent and noncontrolling interests. Amount excludes temporary equity. Alternate caption for the concept is permanent equity.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Name:	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
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Adjustment to Additional Paid in Capital, Employee Withholding Taxes Related to Share-based Awards

No definition available.

Name:	vrx_AdjustmenttoAdditionalPaidinCapitalEmployeeWithholdingTaxesRelatedtoSharebasedAwards
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Period Type:	duration

Value of stockholders equity before comprehensive income net of tax.

No definition available.

Name:	vrx_StockholdersEquityBeforeComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	vrx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Number of shares stockholders equity before comprehensive income net of tax.

No definition available.

Name:	vrx_StockholdersEquitySharesBeforeComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	vrx_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

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