CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net product sales	$ 4,432	$ 3,572	$ 8,396	$ 6,631
Alliance and other revenues	439	591	866	1,573
Total revenues	4,871	4,163	9,262	8,204
Cost of products sold	1,206	1,013	2,258	1,860
Marketing, selling and administrative	1,238	1,135	2,306	2,164
Research and development	1,266	1,856	2,402	2,872
Other (income)/expense	(454)	107	(974)	(192)
Total Expenses	3,256	4,111	5,992	6,704
Earnings Before Income Taxes	1,615	52	3,270	1,500
Provision for Income Taxes	427	162	876	411
Net Earnings/(Loss)	1,188	(110)	2,394	1,089
Net Earnings Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	22	20	33	33
Net Earnings/(Loss) Attributable to BMS	$ 1,166	$ (130)	$ 2,361	$ 1,056
Earnings/(Loss) per Common Share
Basic	$ 0.70	$ (0.08)	$ 1.41	$ 0.63
Diluted	0.69	(0.08)	1.41	0.63
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.38	$ 0.37	$ 0.76	$ 0.74