ALLIANCES AND COLLABORATIONS (Sanofi) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 AVAPRO AVALIDE [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 AVAPRO AVALIDE [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 AVAPRO AVALIDE [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 AVAPRO AVALIDE [Member]	Dec. 31, 2018 Sanofi [Member] AVAPRO, AVALIDE, and PLAVIX [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Sanofi [Member] AVAPRO, AVALIDE, and PLAVIX [Member] Supply Activities And Development And Opt Out Royalties [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Sanofi [Member] AVAPRO, AVALIDE, and PLAVIX [Member] Supply Activities And Development And Opt Out Royalties [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Sanofi [Member] AVAPRO, AVALIDE, and PLAVIX [Member] Supply Activities And Development And Opt Out Royalties [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Sanofi [Member] AVAPRO, AVALIDE, and PLAVIX [Member] Supply Activities And Development And Opt Out Royalties [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Sanofi [Member] AVALIDE [Member] AVALIDE Supply Disruption [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Sanofi [Member] Territory Covering Americas and Australia [Member] AVAPRO, AVALIDE, and PLAVIX [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Sanofi [Member] Territory Covering Americas and Australia [Member] AVAPRO, AVALIDE, and PLAVIX [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Sanofi [Member] Territory Covering Americas and Australia [Member] AVAPRO, AVALIDE, and PLAVIX [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Sanofi [Member] Territory Covering Americas and Australia [Member] AVAPRO, AVALIDE, and PLAVIX [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Sanofi [Member] Europe Comarketing Countries and Other [Member] AVAPRO, AVALIDE, and PLAVIX [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Sanofi [Member] Europe Comarketing Countries and Other [Member] AVAPRO, AVALIDE, and PLAVIX [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Sanofi [Member] Europe Comarketing Countries and Other [Member] AVAPRO, AVALIDE, and PLAVIX [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Sanofi [Member] Europe Comarketing Countries and Other [Member] AVAPRO, AVALIDE, and PLAVIX [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Sanofi [Member] Territory Covering Europe and Asia [Member] AVAPRO, AVALIDE, and PLAVIX [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Sanofi [Member] Territory Covering Europe and Asia [Member] AVAPRO, AVALIDE, and PLAVIX [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Sanofi [Member] Territory Covering Europe and Asia [Member] AVAPRO, AVALIDE, and PLAVIX [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Sanofi [Member] Territory Covering Europe and Asia [Member] AVAPRO, AVALIDE, and PLAVIX [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Sanofi [Member] Territory Covering Europe and Asia [Member] AVAPRO, AVALIDE, and PLAVIX [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Sanofi [Member] United States [Member] AVAPRO AVALIDE [Member] License Fee [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Sanofi [Member] United States [Member] AVAPRO AVALIDE [Member] License Fee [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Sanofi [Member] United States [Member] AVAPRO AVALIDE [Member] License Fee [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Sanofi [Member] United States [Member] AVAPRO AVALIDE [Member] License Fee [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Sanofi [Member] United States [Member] AVAPRO AVALIDE [Member] License Fee [Member]	Dec. 31, 2001 Sanofi [Member] United States [Member] AVAPRO AVALIDE [Member] License Fee [Member]
Alliances and Collaborations Statement [Line Items]
Controlling interest ownership percentage																50.10%		50.10%						50.10%		50.10%
Noncontrolling interest ownership percentage																49.90%		49.90%
Equity method investment ownership percentage																								49.90%		49.90%
Payment to the Company for an interest in a license																																		$ 350
Net sales	3,736	5,345	13,430	15,790		95	216	419	757							95	1,936	2,690	5,959	64	68	227	213
Royalty expense																19	430	527	1,229
Noncontrolling interest - pre-tax																(7)	590	847	1,764
Profit distributions to Sanofi			(765)	(1,842)												(290)	523	768	1,824
Equity in net income of affiliates	(40)	(71)	(150)	(215)																				45	75	163	226
Profit distributions to BMS																								54	97	183	224
Amortization income - upfront, milestone and other licensing payments																													(8)	(7)	(24)	(23)
Other (income)/expense	(50)	(26)	(45)	(195)							(53)	6	(98)	21	(80)
Investment in affiliates																								17		17		37
Deferred income	4,695		4,695		1,203																								5		5		29
Net sales																								248	364	886	1,125
Gross profit																								132	161	402	501
Net income																								116	131	358	413
Payment from Sanofi related to restructuring of the alliance agreement										$ 200