CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net product sales	$ 4,862	$ 4,492	$ 14,212	$ 12,888
Alliance and other revenues	392	430	1,115	1,296
Total revenues	5,254	4,922	15,327	14,184
Cost of products sold	1,572	1,305	4,393	3,563
Marketing, selling and administrative	1,147	1,144	3,388	3,450
Research and development	1,543	1,138	4,490	3,540
Other (income)/expense	(191)	(224)	(1,377)	(1,198)
Total Expenses	4,071	3,363	10,894	9,355
Earnings Before Income Taxes	1,183	1,559	4,433	4,829
Provision for Income Taxes	327	344	1,129	1,220
Net Earnings	856	1,215	3,304	3,609
Net Earnings/(Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	11	13	(31)	46
Net Earnings Attributable to BMS	$ 845	$ 1,202	$ 3,335	$ 3,563
Earnings per Common Share
Basic	$ 0.52	$ 0.72	$ 2.02	$ 2.13
Diluted	0.51	0.72	2.02	2.12
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.39	$ 0.38	$ 1.17	$ 1.14