ALLIANCES (Pfizer) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Percentage of third-party product sales recognized when BMS is the principal in the end customer sale	100.00%								100.00%
Net product sales									$ 19,258	$ 17,702	$ 14,045
Alliance revenues									1,518	1,725	2,515
Total Revenues	$ 5,449	$ 5,254	$ 5,144	$ 4,929	$ 5,243	$ 4,922	$ 4,871	$ 4,391	20,776	19,427	16,560
Receivables - from alliance partners	522				903				522	903
Amortization of deferred income									83	244	307
Upfront payments for licensing and alliance arrangements									41	15	619
Deferred income - Cash flow									(642)	(64)	218
Eliquis [Member]
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Total Revenues									4,872	3,343	1,860
Alliance Partners [Member]
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Net product sales									6,949	5,568	4,308
Alliance revenues									1,294	1,629	2,408
Total Revenues									8,243	7,197	6,716
Payments to/(from) alliance partner - Cost of products sold									2,723	2,129	1,655
Payments to/(from) alliance partner - Marketing, selling and administrative									(58)	(28)	15
Payments to/(from) alliance partner - Research and development									2	56	693
Payments to/(from) alliance partners - Other (income)/expense									(731)	(1,009)	(733)
Noncontrolling interest, pre-tax									12	16	51
Receivables - from alliance partners	522				903				522	903
Accounts payable - to alliance partners	878				555				878	555
Deferred income	467				1,194				467	1,194
Pfizer [Member]
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Net product sales									4,808	3,306	1,849
Alliance revenues									64	37	11
Total Revenues									4,872	3,343	1,860
Deferred income	$ 466				$ 521				466	521
Cost of products sold - Profit sharing									2,314	1,595	895
Other (income)/expense - Amortization of deferred income									$ (55)	$ (55)	$ (55)
Pfizer [Member] | Eliquis [Member]
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Minimum percentage of reimbursement for development costs from alliance partner	50.00%								50.00%
Maximum percentage of reimbursement for development costs from alliance partner	60.00%								60.00%
Total upfront, milestone and other licensing payments received to date	$ 884								$ 884