GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Abstract]
Estimated future amortization, 2013	$ 850
Estimated future amortization, 2014	850
Estimated future amortization, 2015	750
Estimated future amortization, 2016	750
Estimated future amortization, 2017	700
Estimated future amortization, After 2017	4,210
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Total other intangible assets - Gross Carrying Amount	11,855	5,618
Total other intangible assets - Accumulated Amortization	3,077	2,494
Total other intangible assets - Net Carrying Amount	8,778	3,124
Impairment charge for BMS-986094 intangible asset	1,830
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	5,586
Acquisition			5,233
Other adjustments		88
Goodwill, Ending Balance	7,635	5,586
Impairment charge for non-key product acquired in ZymoGenetics acquisition	38
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Carrying Amount	11,187	4,973
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	3,077	2,494
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Carrying Amount	8,110	2,479
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Asset, Carrying Amount	668	645
Other intangible assets [Abstract]
Other intangible assets carrying amount at January 1	3,124	3,370	2,865
Capitalized software and other additions	60	75	107
Acquisitions	8,335	160	678
Amortization expense	(607)	(353)	(271)
Impairment charges	(2,134)	(30)	(10)
Other		(98)	1
Other intangible assets carrying amount at December 31	8,778	3,124	3,370
Licenses [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Carrying Amount	1,160	1,218
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	534	443
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Carrying Amount	626	775
Licenses [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful live of intangible asset	15 years 0 months 0 days
Licenses [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful live of intangible asset	5 years 0 months 0 days
Technology [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Carrying Amount	8,827	2,608
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	1,604	1,194
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Carrying Amount	7,223	1,414
Technology [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful live of intangible asset	15 years 0 months 0 days
Technology [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful live of intangible asset	7 years 0 months 0 days
Capitalized Software [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Carrying Amount	1,200	1,147
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	939	857
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Carrying Amount	261	290
Capitalized Software [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful live of intangible asset	10 years 0 months 0 days
Capitalized Software [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful live of intangible asset	3 years 0 months 0 days
Amira Pharmaceuticals [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Acquisition		265
Adnexus [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Other adjustments		24
Inhibitex, Inc. [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Acquisition	1,213
Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Acquisition	836
Medarex, Inc. [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Other adjustments		64
Out-of-period adjustment to correct intangible assets in the purchase price allocation of an acquisition		(98)
Out-of-period adjustment to correct deferred tax assets in the purchase price allocation of an acquisition		34
Zymogenetics, Inc. [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Impairment charge for non-key product acquired in ZymoGenetics acquisition	$ 120