BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (Net Sales of Key Products) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net product sales									$ 17,702	$ 14,045	$ 11,660
Alliance revenues									1,725	2,515	4,219
Other revenues									96	107	391
Total Revenues	$ 5,243	$ 4,922	$ 4,871	$ 4,391	$ 4,287	$ 4,069	$ 4,163	$ 4,041	19,427	16,560	15,879
Empliciti [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenues									150	3
Erbitux [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenues										501	723
Opdivo [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenues									3,774	942	6
Sprycel [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenues									1,824	1,620	1,493
Yervoy [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenues									1,053	1,126	1,308
Eliquis [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenues									3,343	1,860	774
Orencia [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenues									2,265	1,885	1,652
Baraclude [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenues									1,192	1,312	1,441
Hepatitis C Franchise [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenues									1,578	1,603	256
Reyataz [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenues									912	1,139	1,362
Sustiva Franchise [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenues									1,065	1,252	1,444
Abilify [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenues									128	746	2,020
Mature Products And All Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenues									2,143	2,571	3,400
Alliance Partners [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net product sales									5,568	4,308	3,531
Alliance revenues									1,629	2,408	3,828
Total Revenues									$ 7,197	$ 6,716	$ 7,359