ALLIANCES (Sanofi) (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]
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
Equity in net income of affiliates									(75)	(77)	(83)
Noncontrolling interest	$ 106				$ 170				106	170
Sanofi [Member] | Avapro Avalide [Member] | Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Supply Arrangements [Member]
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Alliance revenues											80
Sanofi [Member] | Avapro, Avalide, and Plavix [Member]
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Payment due from Sanofi in 2018 related to restructuring of the alliance agreement									200
Net product sales									27	38	110
Alliance revenues									207	200	296
Total Revenues									234	238	406
Noncontrolling interest - pre-tax									$ 12	16	51
Sanofi [Member] | Territory Covering Americas and Australia [Member] | Avapro, Avalide, and Plavix [Member]
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Controlling interest ownership percentage	50.10%								50.10%
Royalty revenue									$ 200	195	211
Sanofi [Member] | Territory Covering Europe and Asia [Member] | Avapro, Avalide, and Plavix [Member]
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Equity in net income of affiliates									(95)	(95)	(104)
Net sales									231	235	257
Gross profit									192	195	213
Net income									$ 189	$ 192	$ 209