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Namespace Prefix:	bmy_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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Number of plaintiffs currently involved in an action against the Company.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bmy_NumberOfCurrentPlaintiffs
Namespace Prefix:	bmy_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the number of interim payments already transmitted.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bmy_NumberOfInterimPayments
Namespace Prefix:	bmy_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of lawsuits including individual suits as well as class actions against the Company or one of it's collaboration partners.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bmy_NumberOfLawsuits
Namespace Prefix:	bmy_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of patents owned by the Company or its collaboration partner subject to challenge.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bmy_NumberOfPatentsChallenged
Namespace Prefix:	bmy_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of plaintiffs that have had their case settled.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bmy_NumberOfPlaintiffsSettled
Namespace Prefix:	bmy_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the number of sales representatives involved in a litigation matter.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bmy_NumberOfSalesRepresentatives
Namespace Prefix:	bmy_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of judgment or settlement awarded to (against) the entity in respect of litigation.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Reflects the estimated amount of loss from the specified contingency as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14435-108349

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 9

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14557-108349

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010
Legal Proceedings And Contingencies [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 4,041us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 3,811us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
Baraclude [Member]
Legal Proceedings And Contingencies [Line Items]
Total revenues	340	406
Baraclude Intellectual Property Litigation [Member]
Legal Proceedings And Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of patents challenged				1
Baraclude Intellectual Property Litigation [Member] \| Baraclude [Member] \| United States [Member]
Legal Proceedings And Contingencies [Line Items]
Total revenues			215
Baraclude Intellectual Property Litigation [Member] \| Baraclude [Member] \| South Korea [Member]
Legal Proceedings And Contingencies [Line Items]
Total revenues			158
AWP Litigation [Member]
Legal Proceedings And Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of lawsuits	2
Loss contingency, Estimate of possible loss					28
Qui Tam Litigation [Member]
Legal Proceedings And Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of sales representatives	3
Plavix Product Liability Litigation [Member]
Legal Proceedings And Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of current plaintiffs	5,600
Reglan Product Liability [Member]
Legal Proceedings And Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of current plaintiffs	3,000
Byetta Product Liability Litigation [Member]
Legal Proceedings And Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of lawsuits	460
Number of plaintiffs settled	510
Number of current plaintiffs	2,200
Environmental Proceedings Cercla Matters [Member]
Legal Proceedings And Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency, Estimate of possible loss	61
Environmental Proceedings North Brunswick [Member]
Legal Proceedings And Contingencies [Line Items]
Number Of Interim Payments	2
Litigation settlement, Gross	$ 4