-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001058083-08-000069.txt : 20080501
<SEC-HEADER>0001058083-08-000069.hdr.sgml : 20080501
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080501154423
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001058083-08-000069
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080430
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080501
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080501

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			IMS HEALTH INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001058083
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-COMPUTER PROCESSING & DATA PREPARATION [7374]
		IRS NUMBER:				061506026
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		901 MAIN AVENUE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 612
		CITY:			NORWALK
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06851
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2038455200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		901 MAIN AVENUE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 612
		CITY:			NORWALK
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06851

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WISE BRET W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001186238
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OH

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14049
		FILM NUMBER:		08794546

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O FERRO CORPORATION
		STREET 2:		1000 LAKESIDE AVENUE
		CITY:			CLEVELAND
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44114
		BUSINESS PHONE:		216 641 8580
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-04-30</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001058083</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>IMS HEALTH INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001186238</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WISE BRET W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O IMS HEALTH</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>901 MAIN AVENUE, SUITE 612</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NORWALK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06851</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Deferred Share Units</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-04-30</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>30.18</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>24.85</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>16162</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Deferred Share Units acquired pursuant to the IMS Health Incorporated Non-Employee Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Alandra C. Murphy  Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-05-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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