LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended																					9 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2010 Plavix Intellectual Property Litigation [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Plavix Intellectual Property Litigation [Member]	Nov. 30, 2008 Plavix Intellectual Property Litigation [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 AWP Litigation [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 AWP Litigation [Member]	Aug. 31, 2009 AWP Litigation [Member]	Mar. 31, 2011 Qui Tam Litigation [Member]	Oct. 30, 2011 Environmental Proceedings New Brunswick [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Environmental Proceedings New Brunswick [Member]	Jul. 22, 2009 Medarex Shareholder Litigation [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Hormone Replacement Therapy Product Liability [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Cercla Matters [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Reglan Product Liability [Member]	Mar. 31, 2010 Atripla Intellectual Property Litigation [Member]	Jan. 31, 2010 Atripla Intellectual Property Litigation [Member]	Apr. 30, 2009 Atripla Intellectual Property Litigation [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Reyataz Intellectual Property Litigation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Reyataz Intellectual Property Litigation [Member]	Aug. 31, 2010 Baraclude Intellectual Property Litigation [Member]	Nov. 30, 2010 Sprycel Intellectual Property Litigation [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Sprycel Intellectual Property Litigation [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Environmental Proceedings North Brunswick [Member]
Legal Proceedings And Contingencies [Line Items]
Litigation Settlement Gross	$ 442																					$ 4
Number of patent infringement lawsuits		5												2			2
Number of patents owned														6		15		2		4
Number of patents challenged														2	8	2			1		4
Number of lawsuits				4				50	250		35		200
Loss Contingency Estimate Of Possible Loss			$ 60		$ 28	$ 19						$ 69
Business acquisition cash offered per share										$ 16.00
Number of sales representatives							3
Number of plaintiffs covered by settlement											400