INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL - Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Change in the carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 13,126	$ 13,142
Acquisition of certain assets of Synergy		3
Goodwill reclassified to assets held for sale (Note 4)		(18)
Foreign exchange and other	16	(1)
Assets held for sale reclassified to goodwill (Note 4)	18
Balance at the end of the period	13,160	13,126
Bausch + Lomb/ International
Change in the carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period	5,786	5,805
Goodwill reclassified to assets held for sale (Note 4)		(18)
Foreign exchange and other	16	(1)
Assets held for sale reclassified to goodwill (Note 4)	18
Balance at the end of the period	5,820	5,786
Salix
Change in the carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period	3,159	3,156
Acquisition of certain assets of Synergy		3
Balance at the end of the period	3,159	3,159
Ortho Dermatologics
Change in the carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period	1,267	1,267
Balance at the end of the period	1,267	1,267
Diversified Products
Change in the carrying amount of goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period	2,914	2,914
Balance at the end of the period	$ 2,914	$ 2,914