ALLIANCES (Sanofi) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Net product sales									$ 14,045	$ 11,660	$ 12,304
Alliance revenues									2,515	4,219	4,081
Total Revenues	$ 4,287	$ 4,069	$ 4,163	$ 4,041	$ 4,258	$ 3,921	$ 3,889	$ 3,811	16,560	15,879	16,385
Equity in net income of affiliates									(83)	(107)	(166)
Other (income)/expense									(187)	210	205
Noncontrolling interest	$ 158				131				158	131
Sanofi [Member] | Avapro Avalide [Member] | Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Supply Arrangements [Member]
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Alliance revenues									80	90	116
Sanofi [Member] | Avapro, Avalide, and Plavix [Member]
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Payment due from Sanofi in 2018 related to restructuring of the alliance agreement									200
Net product sales									110	102	153
Alliance revenues									296	317	336
Total Revenues									406	419	489
Noncontrolling interest - pre-tax									$ 51	38	36
Sanofi [Member] | Territory Covering Americas and Australia [Member] | Avapro, Avalide, and Plavix [Member]
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Controlling interest ownership percentage	50.10%								50.10%
Royalty revenue									$ 211	223	220
Distribution (to)/from Sanofi - Noncontrolling interest									(45)	(49)	43
Noncontrolling interest	$ 44				38				44	38
Sanofi [Member] | Territory Covering Europe and Asia [Member] | Avapro, Avalide, and Plavix [Member]
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Equity in net income of affiliates									(104)	(146)	(183)
Distributions from Sanofi - Noncontrolling interest									105	153	149
Investment in affiliates	25				32				25	32
Net sales									257	360	395
Gross profit									213	297	319
Net income									209	292	313
Sanofi [Member] | Territory Covering Europe and Asia [Member] | Avapro, Avalide, and Plavix [Member] | Discovery Royalties [Member]
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Cost of products sold									22	32	38
Sanofi [Member] | Territory Covering Europe and Asia [Member] | Avapro, Avalide, and Plavix [Member] | Receivables And Payables Net Cash Distributions Intercompany Balances [Member]
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Current assets and current liabilities	$ 76				$ 94				$ 76	$ 94	$ 108