OTHER (INCOME)/EXPENSE (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract]
Interest expense	$ 48	$ 42	$ 145	$ 127
Investment income	(37)	(32)	(104)	(81)
Provision for restructuring	28	19	207	41
Litigation and other settlements		(1)	(489)	48
Equity in net income of affiliates	(21)	(19)	(59)	(65)
Divestiture (gains)/losses	1	(21)	(126)	(574)
Royalties and licensing income	(209)	(158)	(1,093)	(579)
Transition and other service fees	(12)	(57)	(32)	(184)
Pension charges	22	19	91	66
Intangible asset impairments				15
Equity investment impairment				45
Loss on debt redemption			109
Other	(11)	(16)	(26)	(57)
Other (income)/expense	$ (191)	$ (224)	(1,377)	$ (1,198)
Keytruda patent-infringement litigation settlement amount			481
Upfront licensing fees - Biogen and Roche			$ 470