ALLIANCES AND COLLABORATIONS (Pfizer) (Details) (Pfizer [Member], ELIQUIS [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011 Upfront, milestone and other licensing payments [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Upfront, milestone and other licensing payments [Member]
Percentage reimbursement of development costs from collaboration partner	60.00%		60.00%
Percentage of development costs payable to collaboration partner	40.00%		40.00%
Total upfront, milestone and other licensing payments					$ 474
Research and development reimbursements to/(from) collaboration partner	(27)	(51)	(56)	(119)
Amortization income - upfront, milestone and other licensing payments	(8)	(8)	(16)	(16)
Deferred income					$ 366	$ 382

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

The percentage of certain commercial operational expenses reimbursed to the Company by alliances and collaborations.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The percentage of certain development expenses reimbursed to the Company by alliances and collaborations.

+ Details

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

- 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

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