OTHER INCOME (NET) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract]
Interest expense	$ 196	$ 167	$ 184
Investment income	(154)	(105)	(101)
Provision for restructuring	293	109	118
Litigation and other settlements	(487)	47	159
Equity in net income of affiliates	(75)	(77)	(83)
Divestiture gains	(164)	(576)	(196)
Royalties and licensing income	(1,351)	(719)	(383)
Transition and other service fees	(37)	(238)	(122)
Pension charges	162	91	160
Intangible asset impairment		15	13
Equity investment impairment	5	45
Written option adjustment			(123)
Loss on debt redemption	109		180
Other	(16)	(44)	7
Other income (net)	(1,519)	$ (1,285)	(187)
Keytruda patent-infringement litigation settlement amount	481
Litigation charge for a contractual dispute			90
Upfront licensing fees - Biogen and Roche	$ (470)
Foreign exchange loss related to Venezuela			$ 52