The amount of operating expense over which the collaboration partner will contribute a given percentage of reimbursements per the collaboration agreement.

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Namespace Prefix:	bmy
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of collaboration fees recognized in cost of products sold for the period.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	bmy
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The reduction of net sales in the period representing the allocation of an extension payment to periods expected to benefit from such costs, such as the extension period.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	bmy
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the payment made to extend the term of the commercialization and manufacturing agreement, which is included in other assets and amortized as a reduction of net sales through the extension period.

+ Details

Name:	bmy_PaymentToExtendTermOfCommercializationAgreement
Namespace Prefix:	bmy
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The percentage of annual net sales of certain products payable as a collaboration fee to third parties in alliances and collaborations.

+ Details

Name:	bmy_PercentageOfNetSalesPayableToCollaborationPartner
Namespace Prefix:	bmy
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The percentage of sales to be recognized pursuant to the collaboration agreement.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	bmy
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The percentage of operating expenses to be reimbursed by the collaboration partner pursuant to the collaboration agreement.

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Namespace Prefix:	bmy
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The maximum amount of sales within a range for which a given percentage will be paid to the collaboration partner as a collaboration fee per the collaboration agreement.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	bmy
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The minimum amount of sales within a range for which a given percentage will be paid to the collaboration partner as a collaboration fee per the collaboration agreement.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	credit
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- Definition

The amount of operating expenses reimbursed by the collaboration partner pursuant to the terms of the agreement.

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Name:	bmy_ReimbursementOfOperationalExpenseFromCollaborations
Namespace Prefix:	bmy
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of previously capitalized upfront, milestone and other licensing payments included in intangible assets, which are amortized to cost of products sold over the remaining life of the agreement.

+ Details

Name:	bmy_TotalUpfrontLicensingAndMilestonePayments
Namespace Prefix:	bmy
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of intangible assets (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. As a noncash expense, this element is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)(2)
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-Publisher FASB
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-Subparagraph a(2)
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Section 45
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-SubTopic 30
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Sum of the carrying amounts of all intangible assets, excluding goodwill, as of the balance sheet date, net of accumulated amortization and impairment charges.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 42, 45
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
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-Subparagraph ((a)(1),(b))
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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-Topic 350
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388964&loc=d3e16212-109274

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

- Definition

Aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of noncurrent assets not separately disclosed in the balance sheet. Noncurrent assets are expected to be realized or consumed after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 17
-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.17)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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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 SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 5
-Section 03
-Paragraph 1

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-Publisher FASB
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-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

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ALLIANCES AND COLLABORATIONS (Otsuka) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended				3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended									3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended				3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended				3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011 Otsuka [Member] France, Germany, Spain, and United Kingdom [Member] ABILIFY [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Otsuka [Member] Oncology Territory [Member] SPRYCEL and IXEMPRA [Member]	Jun. 30, 2010 Otsuka [Member] Oncology Territory [Member] SPRYCEL and IXEMPRA [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Otsuka [Member] Oncology Territory [Member] SPRYCEL and IXEMPRA [Member]	Jun. 30, 2010 Otsuka [Member] Oncology Territory [Member] SPRYCEL and IXEMPRA [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Otsuka [Member] Oncology Territory [Member] SPRYCEL and IXEMPRA [Member] Annual net sales up to $400 million [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Otsuka [Member] Oncology Territory [Member] SPRYCEL and IXEMPRA [Member] Annual net sales between $400 and $600 million [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Otsuka [Member] Oncology Territory [Member] SPRYCEL and IXEMPRA [Member] Annual net sales between $600 and $800 million [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Otsuka [Member] Oncology Territory [Member] SPRYCEL and IXEMPRA [Member] Annual net sales over $800 million [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Otsuka [Member] Oncology Territory [Member] SPRYCEL and IXEMPRA [Member] Operating expense up to $175 million [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Otsuka [Member] Oncology Territory [Member] SPRYCEL and IXEMPRA [Member] Operating expenses over $175 million [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Otsuka [Member] United States [Member] ABILIFY [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Otsuka [Member] United States [Member] ABILIFY [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Otsuka [Member] United States [Member] ABILIFY [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Otsuka [Member] United States [Member] ABILIFY [Member] Extension payment [Member]	Jun. 30, 2010 Otsuka [Member] United States [Member] ABILIFY [Member] Extension payment [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Otsuka [Member] United States [Member] ABILIFY [Member] Extension payment [Member]	Jun. 30, 2010 Otsuka [Member] United States [Member] ABILIFY [Member] Extension payment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Otsuka [Member] United States [Member] ABILIFY [Member] Extension payment [Member]	Apr. 30, 2009 Otsuka [Member] United States [Member] ABILIFY [Member] Extension payment [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Otsuka [Member] ABILIFY [Member]	Jun. 30, 2010 Otsuka [Member] ABILIFY [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Otsuka [Member] ABILIFY [Member]	Jun. 30, 2010 Otsuka [Member] ABILIFY [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Otsuka [Member] ABILIFY [Member] Upfront, milestone and other licensing payments [Member]	Jun. 30, 2010 Otsuka [Member] ABILIFY [Member] Upfront, milestone and other licensing payments [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Otsuka [Member] ABILIFY [Member] Upfront, milestone and other licensing payments [Member]	Jun. 30, 2010 Otsuka [Member] ABILIFY [Member] Upfront, milestone and other licensing payments [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Otsuka [Member] ABILIFY [Member] Upfront, milestone and other licensing payments [Member]	Apr. 30, 2009 Otsuka [Member] ABILIFY [Member] Upfront, milestone and other licensing payments [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Otsuka [Member] ABILIFY, SPRYCEL and IXEMPRA [Member]	Jun. 30, 2010 Otsuka [Member] ABILIFY, SPRYCEL and IXEMPRA [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Otsuka [Member] ABILIFY, SPRYCEL and IXEMPRA [Member]	Jun. 30, 2010 Otsuka [Member] ABILIFY, SPRYCEL and IXEMPRA [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 ABILIFY [Member]	Jun. 30, 2010 ABILIFY [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 ABILIFY [Member]	Jun. 30, 2010 ABILIFY [Member]
Percentage of net sales recognized from collaboration						65.00%											51.50%	53.50%	58.00%
Percentage of operating expense reimbursements from collaboration															20.00%	1.00%		30.00%
Payment to extend term of commercialization agreement																									$ 400
Total upfront, milestone and other licensing payments																																			60
Percentage of net sales payable to collaboration partner											30.00%	5.00%	3.00%
Range of sales at which a given percentage will be paid to collaboration partner - maximum											400	600	800
Range of sales at which a given percentage will be paid to collaboration partner - minimum												400	600	800
Amount of operating expense over which collaboration partner will reimburse given percentage															175	175
ABILIFY* net sales, including amortization of extension payment	5,434	4,768	10,445	9,575																						706	633	1,330	1,250											706	633	1,330	1,250
Oncology Products collaboration fee expense							37	32	70	62
Reimbursement of operating expenses to/(from) Otsuka																																				(23)	(23)	(45)	(48)
Amortization (income)/expense - extension payment																				17	16	33	32
Amortization expense - upfront, milestone and other licensing payments																														2	2	4	4
Other assets - extension payment	794		794		1,005															252		252		285
Other intangible assets - upfront, milestone and other licensing payments	$ 3,222		$ 3,222		$ 3,370																									$ 7		$ 7		$ 11