This element represents the number of years in the collaboration period.

No definition available.

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- Definition

The amount of upfront, licensing and milestone payments received by the Company during the period. Upfront and contingent milestones received are amortized over the shorter of the contractual term or estimated life of the product.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

This element represents the portion of an upfront payment allocated to license and other rights transferred to a collaboration partner. This amount was recognized as alliance revenue throughout the term of the collaboration.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Total carrying amount of consideration received or receivable as of the balance sheet date representing potential earnings that were not as yet recognized as revenue or other forms of income in conformity with GAAP.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

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-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 13.A.4(a).Q1 Response)

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- Definition

Fair value, after the effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial liability or contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement and not elected to be offset.

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- Definition

The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in other assets used in operating activities less other operating liabilities used in operating activities not separately disclosed in the statement of cash flows. May include changes in other current assets and liabilities, other noncurrent assets and liabilities, or a combination of other current and noncurrent assets and liabilities.

+ References

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- Definition

Revenues from the sale of other goods or rendering of other services, not elsewhere specified in the taxonomy; net of (reduced by) sales adjustments, returns, allowances, and discounts.

+ References

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- Definition

The cash inflow associated with the amount received from the sale of a portion of the company's business, for example a segment, division, branch or other business, during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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- Definition

Aggregate revenue during the period from the sale of goods in the normal course of business, after deducting returns, allowances and discounts.

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ALLIANCES (The Medicines Company) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2015
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Net product sales	$ 11,660us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet	$ 12,304us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet	$ 13,654us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet
Alliance and other revenues	4,219us-gaap_OtherSalesRevenueNet	4,081us-gaap_OtherSalesRevenueNet	3,967us-gaap_OtherSalesRevenueNet
Other changes in operating assets and liabilities	33	760	1,189
Deferred income	1,937us-gaap_DeferredRevenueAndCredits	1,525us-gaap_DeferredRevenueAndCredits
The Medicines Company [Member]
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Proceeds from divestiture of business				132
Alliance and other revenues	66	74
Other changes in operating assets and liabilities		35
Deferred income	3	44
The Medicines Company [Member] \| Upfront, milestone and other licensing payments [Member]
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Deferred income - Cash flow		80
The Medicines Company [Member] \| Recothrom [Member]
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Number of years in alliance period	2
Net product sales			67
The Medicines Company [Member] \| Recothrom [Member] \| Upfront, milestone and other licensing payments [Member]
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Upfront, milestone and other licensing payments received		115
Written Option Liability [Member]
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Fair value of option	198	162
Written Option Liability [Member] \| The Medicines Company [Member]
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Fair value of option	$ 35