CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net product sales	$ 4,492	$ 3,552	$ 12,888	$ 10,183
Alliance and other revenues	430	517	1,296	2,090
Total revenues	4,922	4,069	14,184	12,273
Cost of products sold	1,305	1,097	3,563	2,957
Marketing, selling and administrative	1,144	1,176	3,450	3,340
Research and development	1,138	1,132	3,540	4,004
Other (income)/expense	(224)	(323)	(1,198)	(515)
Total Expenses	3,363	3,082	9,355	9,786
Earnings Before Income Taxes	1,559	987	4,829	2,487
Provision for Income Taxes	344	257	1,220	668
Net Earnings	1,215	730	3,609	1,819
Net Earnings Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	13	24	46	57
Net Earnings Attributable to BMS	$ 1,202	$ 706	$ 3,563	$ 1,762
Earnings per Common Share
Basic	$ 0.72	$ 0.42	$ 2.13	$ 1.06
Diluted	0.72	0.42	2.12	1.05
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.38	$ 0.37	$ 1.14	$ 1.11