ALLIANCES AND COLLABORATIONS (AstraZeneca) (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Net sales	$ 5,434	$ 4,768	$ 10,445	$ 9,575
AstraZeneca [Member] \| ONGLYZA KOMBIGLYZE [Member]
Net sales	112	28	193	38
Profit sharing expense	52	13	90	18
Commercialization expense reimbursements to/(from) AstraZeneca	(10)	(8)	(19)	(12)
AstraZeneca [Member] \| dapagliflozin [Member] \| Upfront, milestone and other licensing payments [Member]
Upfront, milestone and other licensing payments received	80		120
AstraZeneca [Member] \| ONGLYZA, KOMBIGLYZE and dapagliflozin [Member]
Research and development reimbursements to/(from) collaboration partner	(15)	3	(29)	3
AstraZeneca [Member] \| ONGLYZA, KOMBIGLYZE and dapagliflozin [Member] \| Upfront, milestone and other licensing payments [Member]
Total upfront, milestone and other licensing payments	470		470
Amortization income - upfront, milestone and other licensing payments	(10)	(7)	(18)	(13)
Deferred income	392		392		290
ONGLYZA KOMBIGLYZE [Member]
Net sales	$ 112	$ 28	$ 193	$ 38

This element represents the amount of previously reported deferred income that was recognized as other income during the period.

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

- Definition

Reimbursements paid to or received from collaboration partner for commercialization expense included principally in advertising and product promotion and selling, general and administrative expenses.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Profit sharing reimbursements made to or received from a collaboration partner based on gross margin which is recorded in cost of products sold.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The amount of development expenses reimbursed by the collaboration partner pursuant to the terms of the agreement that are netted in research and development expense.

+ Details

Name:	bmy_ReimbursementOfDevelopmentExpenseToFromCollaborations
Namespace Prefix:	bmy
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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 amount of upfront, licensing and milestone payments received by the Company during the period that is amortized from deferred income over the useful life of the products into other income.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Total carrying amount of consideration received or receivable as of the balance sheet date representing potential earnings that were not as yet recognized as revenue or other forms of income in conformity with GAAP.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 13
-Section A

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 605
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 13.A.4(a).Q1 Response)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6600647&loc=d3e214044-122780

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredRevenueAndCredits
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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

Reference 2: 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=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

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