ALLIANCES AND COLLABORATIONS (Sanofi) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended																							12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2012 Avapro Avalide [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Avapro Avalide [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Avapro Avalide [Member]	Dec. 31, 2018 Sanofi [Member] Avapro, Avalide, and Plavix [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Sanofi [Member] Avapro, Avalide, and Plavix [Member] Supply Activities And Development And Opt Out Royalty Income Expense [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Sanofi [Member] Avapro, Avalide, and Plavix [Member] Supply Activities And Development And Opt Out Royalty Income Expense [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Sanofi [Member] Avapro, Avalide, and Plavix [Member] Supply Activities And Development And Opt Out Royalty Income Expense [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Sanofi [Member] Avalide [Member] Avalide supply disruption [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Sanofi [Member] Territory Covering Americas and Australia [Member] Avapro, Avalide, and Plavix [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Sanofi [Member] Territory Covering Americas and Australia [Member] Avapro, Avalide, and Plavix [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Sanofi [Member] Territory Covering Americas and Australia [Member] Avapro, Avalide, and Plavix [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Sanofi [Member] Europe Comarketing Countries and Other [Member] Avapro, Avalide, and Plavix [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Sanofi [Member] Europe Comarketing Countries and Other [Member] Avapro, Avalide, and Plavix [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Sanofi [Member] Europe Comarketing Countries and Other [Member] Avapro, Avalide, and Plavix [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 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]	Dec. 31, 2010 Sanofi [Member] Territory Covering Europe and Asia [Member] Avapro, Avalide, and Plavix [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Sanofi [Member] Territory Covering Europe and Asia [Member] Avapro, Avalide, and Plavix [Member] Discovery Royalties [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Sanofi [Member] Territory Covering Europe and Asia [Member] Avapro, Avalide, and Plavix [Member] Discovery Royalties [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Sanofi [Member] Territory Covering Europe and Asia [Member] Avapro, Avalide, and Plavix [Member] Discovery Royalties [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Sanofi [Member] Territory Covering Europe and Asia [Member] Avapro, Avalide, and Plavix [Member] Receivables And Payables Net Cash Distributions Intercompany Balances [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Sanofi [Member] Territory Covering Europe and Asia [Member] Avapro, Avalide, and Plavix [Member] Receivables And Payables Net Cash Distributions Intercompany Balances [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Sanofi [Member] Territory Covering Europe and Asia [Member] Avapro, Avalide, and Plavix [Member] Receivables And Payables Net Cash Distributions Intercompany Balances [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 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, 2010 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%
Noncontrolling interest ownership percentage																					49.90%
Equity method investment ownership percentage																											49.90%
Payment to the Company for an interest in a license																																				$ 350
Net sales	4,191	3,736	4,443	5,251	5,454	5,345	5,434	5,011	17,621	21,244	19,484		503	952	1,176						2,766	7,761	7,464	284	279	378
Royalty expense																					530	1,583	1,527
Noncontrolling interest - pre-tax																					844	2,323	2,074
Profit distributions to Sanofi									740	2,354	2,108										742	2,335	2,093
Equity in net income of affiliates									(183)	(281)	(313)																201	298	325
Distributions to BMS																											229	283	313
Amortization income - upfront, milestone and other licensing payments																																				(29)	(31)	(31)
Other (income)/expense									(80)	(334)	(93)						(142)	23	(3)	80
Investment in affiliates																											9	37
Deferred income	4,849				1,203				4,849	1,203																											29
Noncontrolling interest	15				(89)				15	(89)	(75)	(58)									(30)	(131)
Net sales																											1,077	1,469	1,879
Cost of products sold																											624	811	1,047	133	184	307
Gross profit																											453	658	832
Marketing, selling and administrative																											47	75	129
Advertising and product promotion																											8	15	29
Research and development																											2	5	16
Other (income)/expense																											2	1	(1)
Net income																											394	562	659
Current assets																											417	584	751
Current liabilities																											417	584	751
Current assets and current liabilities																																	293	400	567
Payment from Sanofi related to the restructuring of the alliance agreement																$ 200