CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net product sales	$ 5,433	$ 4,862	$ 15,866	$ 14,212
Alliance and other revenues	258	392	722	1,115
Total revenues	5,691	5,254	16,588	15,327
Cost of products sold	1,648	1,579	4,857	4,413
Marketing, selling and administrative	1,104	1,163	3,215	3,435
Research and development	1,280	1,561	4,965	4,543
Other income (net)	(508)	(232)	(912)	(1,497)
Total Expenses	3,524	4,071	12,125	10,894
Earnings Before Income Taxes	2,167	1,183	4,463	4,433
Provision for Income Taxes	255	327	674	1,129
Net Earnings	1,912	856	3,789	3,304
Noncontrolling Interest	11	11	29	(31)
Net Earnings Attributable to BMS	$ 1,901	$ 845	$ 3,760	$ 3,335
Earnings per Common Share
Basic	$ 1.16	$ 0.52	$ 2.30	$ 2.02
Diluted	1.16	0.51	2.30	2.02
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.40	$ 0.39	$ 1.20	$ 1.17