CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net product sales	$ 19,258	$ 17,702	$ 14,045
Alliance and other revenues	1,518	1,725	2,515
Total Revenues	20,776	19,427	16,560
Cost of products sold	6,066	4,946	3,909
Marketing, selling and administrative	4,687	4,911	4,841
Research and development	6,411	4,940	5,920
Other income (net)	(1,519)	(1,285)	(187)
Total Expenses	15,645	13,512	14,483
Earnings Before Income Taxes	5,131	5,915	2,077
Provision for Income Taxes	4,156	1,408	446
Net Earnings	975	4,507	1,631
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(32)	50	66
Net Earnings Attributable to BMS	$ 1,007	$ 4,457	$ 1,565
Earnings per Common Share
Basic Earnings Per Common Share Attributable to BMS	$ 0.61	$ 2.67	$ 0.94
Diluted Earnings per Common Share Attributable to BMS	0.61	2.65	0.93
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 1.57	$ 1.53	$ 1.49