GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Abstract]
Expected future amortization 2012	$ 350,000,000
Expected future amortization 2013	275,000,000
Expected future amortization 2014	263,000,000
Expected future amortization 2015	236,000,000
Expected future amortization 2016	218,000,000
Expected future amortization after 2016	1,138,000,000
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Total other intangible assets - Gross Carrying Amount	5,618,000,000	5,580,000,000
Total other intangible assets - Accumulated Amortization	2,494,000,000	2,210,000,000
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	5,233,000,000	5,218,000,000
Acquisition (Note 5)	265,000,000	15,000,000
Other adjustments	88,000,000
Goodwill, Ending Balance	5,586,000,000	5,233,000,000	5,218,000,000
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Carrying Amount	4,973,000,000	3,667,000,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	2,494,000,000	2,210,000,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Carrying Amount	2,479,000,000	1,457,000,000
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
YERVOY IPRD Reclass	1,000,000,000
IPRD reclass to licenses	367,000,000
Other intangible assets [Abstract]
Other intangible assets carrying amount at January 1	3,370,000,000	2,865,000,000	1,151,000,000
Capitalized software and other additions	75,000,000	107,000,000	96,000,000
Acquisitions	160,000,000	678,000,000	1,910,000,000
Mead Johnson split-off			(50,000,000)
Amortization - licenses and technology	(271,000,000)	(199,000,000)	(170,000,000)
Amortization - capitalized software	(82,000,000)	(72,000,000)	(68,000,000)
Impairment charges	(30,000,000)	(10,000,000)
Other	(98,000,000)	1,000,000	(4,000,000)
Other intangible assets carrying amount at December 31	3,124,000,000	3,370,000,000	2,865,000,000
Amortization expense included in discontinued operations			9,000,000
In Process Research And Development [Member]
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Asset, Carrying Amount	645,000,000	1,913,000,000
Licenses [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Estimated Useful Life, Minimum	2
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Estimated Useful Life, Maximum	15
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Carrying Amount	1,218,000,000	965,000,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	443,000,000	368,000,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Carrying Amount	775,000,000	597,000,000
Technology [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Estimated Useful Life, Minimum	9
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Estimated Useful Life, Maximum	15
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Carrying Amount	2,608,000,000	1,562,000,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	1,194,000,000	1,001,000,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Carrying Amount	1,414,000,000	561,000,000
Capitalized Software [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Estimated Useful Life, Minimum	3
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Estimated Useful Life, Maximum	10
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Carrying Amount	1,147,000,000	1,140,000,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	857,000,000	841,000,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Carrying Amount	290,000,000	299,000,000
Medarex, Inc. [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Other adjustments	64,000,000
Out-of-period adjustment to correct intangible assets in the purchase price allocation of an acquisition	98,000,000
Out-of-period adjustment to correct deferred tax assets in the purchase price allocation of an acquisition	34,000,000
Adnexus [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Other adjustments	$ 24,000,000