ALLIANCES (The Medicines Company) (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Alliance revenues	$ 1,725	$ 2,515	$ 4,219
Divestiture gain	564	194	564
Divestiture and other proceeds	$ 1,317	697	3,565
The Medicines Company [Member]
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Alliance revenues		8	66
Divestiture gain		(59)
Divestiture and other proceeds		$ 132
The Medicines Company [Member] | Recothrom [Member]
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Number of years in alliance period	2
The Medicines Company [Member] | Recothrom [Member] | Upfront, milestone and other licensing payments [Member]
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Upfront, milestone and other licensing payments received				$ 115
Written Option Liability [Member] | The Medicines Company [Member]
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Fair value of option			$ 35