CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net product sales	$ 5,461	$ 4,770	$ 10,433	$ 9,350
Alliance and other revenues	243	374	464	723
Total revenues	5,704	5,144	10,897	10,073
Cost of products sold	1,625	1,569	3,209	2,834
Marketing, selling and administrative	1,131	1,187	2,111	2,272
Research and development	2,435	1,679	3,685	2,982
Other (income)/expense	(4)	(586)	(404)	(1,265)
Total Expenses	5,187	3,849	8,601	6,823
Earnings Before Income Taxes	517	1,295	2,296	3,250
Provision for Income Taxes	135	373	419	802
Net Earnings	382	922	1,877	2,448
Net Earnings/(Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	9	6	18	(42)
Net Earnings Attributable to BMS	$ 373	$ 916	$ 1,859	$ 2,490
Earnings per Common Share
Basic	$ 0.23	$ 0.56	$ 1.14	$ 1.51
Diluted	0.23	0.56	1.13	1.50
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.40	$ 0.39	$ 0.80	$ 0.78