CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net product sales	$ 14,045	$ 11,660	$ 12,304
Alliance and other revenues	2,515	4,219	4,081
Total Revenues	16,560	15,879	16,385
Cost of products sold	3,909	3,932	4,619
Marketing, selling and administrative	4,841	4,822	4,939
Research and development	5,920	4,534	3,731
Other (income)/expense	(187)	210	205
Total Expenses	14,483	13,498	13,494
Earnings Before Income Taxes	2,077	2,381	2,891
Provision for Income Taxes	446	352	311
Net Earnings	1,631	2,029	2,580
Net Earnings Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	66	25	17
Net Earnings Attributable to BMS	$ 1,565	$ 2,004	$ 2,563
Earnings per Common Share
Basic Earnings Per Common Share Attributable to BMS	$ 0.94	$ 1.21	$ 1.56
Diluted Earnings per Common Share Attributable to BMS	0.93	1.20	1.54
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 1.49	$ 1.45	$ 1.41