SEGMENT INFORMATION - Segment Revenues and Profit (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 segment	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($) segment	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) segment
Segment reporting information
Number of operating segments | segment		3		3
Number of reportable segments | segment				3	2
Total revenues	$ 2,233		$ 2,420	$ 4,342	$ 4,792
Net (loss) income	(37)		(304)	592	(677)
Amortization of intangible assets	(623)		(673)	(1,258)	(1,351)
Asset impairments	(85)		(230)	(223)	(246)
Restructuring and integration costs	(18)		(20)	(36)	(58)
Acquired in-process research and development costs	(1)		(2)	(5)	(3)
Acquisition-related contingent consideration	49		(7)	59	(9)
Other income, net	19		46	259	21
Operating income	175		81	386	147
Interest income	3		2	6	3
Interest expense	(459)		(472)	(933)	(899)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0		0	(64)	0
Foreign exchange and other	39		12	68	6
Loss before recovery of income taxes	(242)		(377)	(537)	(743)
Operating Segment
Segment reporting information
Total revenues	2,233		2,420	4,342	4,792
Net (loss) income	973		1,103	1,896	2,133
Operating Segment | Bausch Lomb / International
Segment reporting information
Total revenues	1,241		1,277	2,391	2,423
Net (loss) income	377		382	710	691
Operating Segment | Branded Rx
Segment reporting information
Total revenues	636		653	1,240	1,318
Net (loss) income	341		337	667	594
Operating Segment | U.S. Diversified Products
Segment reporting information
Total revenues	356		490	711	1,051
Net (loss) income	255		384	519	848
Corporate
Segment reporting information
Operating income	(139)		(136)	(306)	(340)
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment reporting information
Amortization of intangible assets	(623)		(673)	(1,258)	(1,351)
Asset impairments	(85)		(230)	(223)	(246)
Restructuring and integration costs	(18)		(20)	(36)	(58)
Acquired in-process research and development costs	(1)		(2)	(5)	(3)
Acquisition-related contingent consideration	49		(7)	59	(9)
Other income, net	$ 19		$ 46	$ 259	$ 21