EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE - Schedule of (Loss) Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income (loss) attributable to Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.	$ 1,301	$ (1,218)	$ 1,891	$ (1,894)
Basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (in shares)	350.4	349.5	350.1	346.5
Diluted effect of stock options, RSUs and other (in shares)	1.9	0.0	1.3	0.0
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (in shares)	352.3	349.5	351.4	346.5
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.:
Basic (in usd per share)	$ 3.71	$ (3.49)	$ 5.40	$ (5.47)
Diluted (in usd per share)	$ 3.69	$ (3.49)	$ 5.38	$ (5.47)