SUMMARY DATA (UNAUDITED) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ 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
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 2,403	$ 2,479	$ 2,420	$ 2,372	$ 2,758	$ 2,787	$ 2,733	$ 2,169	$ 9,674	$ 10,447	$ 8,206
Expenses	2,252	3,343	2,339	2,306	2,590	2,339	2,391	1,600	10,240	8,920	6,205
Operating (loss) income	151	(864)	81	66	168	448	342	569	(566)	1,527	2,001
Net (loss) income attributable to Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.	$ (515)	$ (1,218)	$ (302)	$ (374)	$ (385)	$ 49	$ (53)	$ 97	$ (2,409)	$ (292)	$ 881
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
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 513	$ 569	$ 449	$ 556	$ 598	$ 733	$ 418	$ 509	$ 2,087	$ 2,257	$ 2,312