ALLIANCES (Details) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) shares	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Alliance Statement [Line Items]
Sales Revenue, Goods, Net	$ 5,433	$ 4,862	$ 15,866	$ 14,212
Alliance revenues	177	232	483	694
Total revenues	5,691	5,254	16,588	15,327
Amortization of deferred income	16	20	48	59
Alliance Partners [Member]
Alliance Statement [Line Items]
Sales Revenue, Goods, Net	2,037	1,754	6,135	5,017
Total revenues	2,214	1,986	6,618	5,711
Payments to/(from) alliance partners - Cost of products sold	838	678	2,528	1,965
Payments to/(from) alliance partners - Marketing, selling and administrative	(26)	(18)	(76)	(41)
Payments to/(from) alliance partners - Research and development	(2)	(13)	1,060	(14)
Payments to/(from) alliance partners - Other (income)/expense	(14)	$ (9)	(44)	$ (29)
Receivables - from alliance partners	354		354		$ 322
Accounts payable - to alliance partners	835		835		875
Deferred income from alliances	$ 510		$ 510		$ 467
Nektar Therapeutics [Member]
Alliance Statement [Line Items]
Cost Share, Percentage, Combination Studies	67.50%		67.50%
Percentage of Pretax Profit and Loss Shared with BMS	35.00%		35.00%
License arrangement upfront payment			$ 1,850
Equity Received in Collaborative Partner, Common Stock | shares			8.3
Marketable Securities, Equity Securities	4.80%		4.80%
Common Stock, Voting Rights	5		5
Equity Investment in Collaborative Partner			$ 800
Upfront payment allocated to research and development expenses	$ 1,050		1,050
Consideration for contingent development and regulatory approval			$ 1,800