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ALLIANCES AND COLLABORATIONS (Sanofi) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2001
Alliances and Collaborations Statement [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 5,345	$ 4,798	$ 15,790	$ 14,373
Distributions			(1,842)	(1,613)
Equity in net income of affiliates	(71)	(70)	(215)	(252)
Other (income)/expense	(26)	(10)	(195)	84
Sanofi [Member] \| Territory Covering Americas and Australia [Member] \| AVAPRO, AVALIDE, and PLAVIX [Member]
Alliances and Collaborations Statement [Line Items]
Controlling interest ownership percentage	50.10%		50.10%
Noncontrolling interest ownership percentage	49.90%		49.90%
Net sales	1,936	1,874	5,959	5,580
Discovery royalty expense	368	337	1,123	998
Noncontrolling interest - pre-tax	590	523	1,764	1,543
Distributions	(523)	(545)	(1,824)	(1,598)
Sanofi [Member] \| Europe Comarketing Countries and Other [Member] \| AVAPRO, AVALIDE, and PLAVIX [Member]
Alliances and Collaborations Statement [Line Items]
Net sales	68	87	213	295
Sanofi [Member] \| Territory Covering Europe and Asia [Member] \| AVAPRO, AVALIDE, and PLAVIX [Member]
Alliances and Collaborations Statement [Line Items]
Controlling interest ownership percentage	50.10%		50.10%
Equity method investment ownership percentage	49.90%		49.90%
Equity in net income of affiliates	(75)	(73)	(226)	(261)
Profit distributions to the Company	97	85	224	239
Investment in affiliates	24		24		22
Net sales	364	417	1,125	1,465
Gross profit	161	174	501	662
Net income	131	141	413	528
Sanofi [Member] \| United States [Member] \| AVAPRO AVALIDE [Member] \| License Fee [Member]
Alliances and Collaborations Statement [Line Items]
Payment to the Company for an interest in a license						350
Amortization income - upfront, milestone and other licensing payments	(7)	(7)	(23)	(23)
Deferred income	37		37		60
Sanofi [Member] \| AVAPRO, AVALIDE, and PLAVIX [Member] \| Supply Activities And Development And Opt Out Royalties [Member]
Alliances and Collaborations Statement [Line Items]
Other (income)/expense	6	3	21	(28)
AVAPRO AVALIDE [Member]
Alliances and Collaborations Statement [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 216	$ 303	$ 757	$ 924