CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net product sales	$ 17,702	$ 14,045	$ 11,660
Alliance and other revenues	1,725	2,515	4,219
Total Revenues	19,427	16,560	15,879
Cost of products sold	4,946	3,909	3,932
Marketing, selling and administrative	4,911	4,841	4,822
Research and development	4,940	5,920	4,534
Other (income)/expense	(1,285)	(187)	210
Total Expenses	13,512	14,483	13,498
Earnings Before Income Taxes	5,915	2,077	2,381
Provision for Income Taxes	1,408	446	352
Net Earnings	4,507	1,631	2,029
Net Earnings Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	50	66	25
Net Earnings Attributable to BMS	$ 4,457	$ 1,565	$ 2,004
Earnings per Common Share
Basic Earnings Per Common Share Attributable to BMS	$ 2.67	$ 0.94	$ 1.21
Diluted Earnings per Common Share Attributable to BMS	2.65	0.93	1.20
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 1.53	$ 1.49	$ 1.45