RECEIVABLES (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Receivables [Line Items]
Trade receivables	$ 2,397	$ 2,092
Less allowances	(147)	(107)
Net trade receivables	2,250	1,985
Alliance partners receivables	1,081	1,076
Prepaid and refundable income taxes	256	223
Miscellaneous receivables	156	196
Receivables	3,743	3,480
Reduction in alliance partner receivables and deferred income	901	734
Receivables sold on a nonrecourse basis	1,077	932	660
Percent of aggregate total trade receivables due from three pharmaceutical wholesalers	55.00%	51.00%
The number of the largest pharmaceutical wholesalers in the U.S.	3
Allowance for Trade Receivables [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	107	103	128
Provision for bad debt, charge-backs and discounts	1,094	864	776
Bad debts written-off/payments for charge-backs and discounts	(1,054)	(860)	(800)
Discountinued operations			(1)
Balance at end of year	$ 147	$ 107	$ 103