(LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE - Schedule of Calculation of Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net (loss) income attributable to Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.	$ (515)	$ (1,218)	$ (302)	$ (374)	$ (385)	$ 49	$ (53)	$ 97	$ (2,409)	$ (292)	$ 881
Basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding									347.3	342.7	335.4
Dilutive effect of stock options and RSUs									0.0	0.0	6.1
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding									347.3	342.7	341.5
(Loss) earnings per share attributable to Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.
Earnings per share, basic (in dollars per share)	$ (1.47)	$ (3.49)	$ (0.88)	$ (1.08)	$ (1.12)	$ 0.14	$ (0.15)	$ 0.29	$ (6.94)	$ (0.85)	$ 2.63
Earnings per share, diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (1.47)	$ (3.49)	$ (0.88)	$ (1.08)	$ (1.12)	$ 0.14	$ (0.15)	$ 0.28	$ (6.94)	$ (0.85)	$ 2.58