ALLIANCES (Sanofi) (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
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Net product sales									$ 17,702	$ 14,045	$ 11,660
Alliance revenues									1,725	2,515	4,219
Total Revenues	$ 5,243	$ 4,922	$ 4,871	$ 4,391	$ 4,287	$ 4,069	$ 4,163	$ 4,041	19,427	16,560	15,879
Equity in net income of affiliates									(77)	(83)	(107)
Noncontrolling interest	$ 170				158				170	158
Sanofi [Member] | Avapro Avalide [Member] | Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Supply Arrangements [Member]
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Alliance revenues										80	90
Sanofi [Member] | Avapro, Avalide, and Plavix [Member]
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Payment due from Sanofi in 2018 related to restructuring of the alliance agreement									200
Net product sales									38	110	102
Alliance revenues									200	296	317
Total Revenues									238	406	419
Noncontrolling interest - pre-tax									$ 16	51	38
Sanofi [Member] | Territory Covering Americas and Australia [Member] | Avapro, Avalide, and Plavix [Member]
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Controlling interest ownership percentage	50.10%								50.10%
Royalty revenue									$ 195	211	223
Distribution (to)/from Sanofi - Noncontrolling interest									(15)	(45)	(49)
Noncontrolling interest	$ 45				44				45	44
Sanofi [Member] | Territory Covering Europe and Asia [Member] | Avapro, Avalide, and Plavix [Member]
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Equity in net income of affiliates									(95)	(104)	(146)
Distributions from Sanofi - Noncontrolling interest									99	105	153
Investment in affiliates	21				25				21	25
Net sales									235	257	360
Gross profit									195	213	297
Net income									192	209	292
Sanofi [Member] | Territory Covering Europe and Asia [Member] | Avapro, Avalide, and Plavix [Member] | Discovery Royalties [Member]
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Cost of products sold									20	22	32
Sanofi [Member] | Territory Covering Europe and Asia [Member] | Avapro, Avalide, and Plavix [Member] | Receivables And Payables Net Cash Distributions Intercompany Balances [Member]
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Current assets and current liabilities	$ 69				$ 76				$ 69	$ 76	$ 94