MEAD JOHNSON NUTRITION INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING AND SPLIT-OFF (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2009
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from Mead Johnson initial public offering	$ 782
Gain recognized upon split-off of subsidiary, net of tax amount	7,157
Discontinued Operations, Earnings, net of taxes	285
Net Earnings from Discontinued Operations	7,442
Net earnings from discontinued operations attributable to Bristol-Myers Squibb Company	7,373
Mead Johnson Nutrition Company [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from Mead Johnson initial public offering	782
Underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses	46
Previously held shares of subsidiary exchanged in split-off transaction	170,000,000
Parent company shares received in split-off transaction	269,000,000
Gain recognized upon split-off of subsidiary, pre-tax	7,275
Gain recognized upon split-off of subsidiary, net of tax amount	7,157
Closing price of exchanged Company shares	$ 25.7
Tax reserve established as a result of the split-off transaction	244
Discontinued Operations, Net Sales	2,826
Discontinued Operations, Earnings before income taxes	674
Discontinued Operations, Provision for income taxes	(389)
Discontinued Operations, Earnings, net of taxes	285
Discontinued Operations, Provision for income taxes on disposal gain	(118)
Net Earnings from Discontinued Operations	7,442
Less net earnings from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interest	(69)
Net earnings from discontinued operations attributable to Bristol-Myers Squibb Company	$ 7,373
Mead Johnson Nutrition Company [Member] | IPO [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of subsidiary shares sold through an initial public offering	34,500,000
Price per share of subsidiary common stock sold through an initial public offering	$ 24
Percentage of ownership by the parent after initial public offering of a subsidiary	83.10%
Percentage of voting power by the parent after initial public offering of a subsidiary	97.50%
Mead Johnson Nutrition Company [Member] | IPO [Member] | Common Class A [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Subsidiary shares owned by the parent after initial public offering	42,300,000
Number of votes per class of common shares	1
Mead Johnson Nutrition Company [Member] | IPO [Member] | Common Class B [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Subsidiary shares owned by the parent after initial public offering	127,700,000
Number of votes per class of common shares	10