EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Income from Continuing Operations Attributable to BMS	$ 852	$ 969	$ 902	$ 986	$ 483	$ 949	$ 927	$ 743	$ 3,709	$ 3,102	$ 3,239
Earnings attributable to unvested restricted shares									(8)	(12)	(18)
Income from Continuing Operations Attributable to BMS common shareholders									3,701	3,090	3,221
Net Earnings Attributable to BMS common shareholders									3,701	3,090	10,552
Average Common Shares Outstanding									1,700	1,713	1,974
Basic Earnings per Common Share from Continuing Operations Attributable to Bristol-Myers Squibb Company									$ 2.18	$ 1.80	$ 1.63
Basis Earnings Per Common Share from Discontinued Operations Attributable to Bristol-Myers Squibb Company									$ 0	$ 0	$ 3.72
Basic Earnings Per Common Share Attributable to Bristol-Myers Squibb Company	$ 0.50	$ 0.57	$ 0.53	$ 0.58	$ 0.28	$ 0.55	$ 0.54	$ 0.43	$ 2.18	$ 1.80	$ 5.35
Earnings attributable to unvested restricted shares to be used in diluted calculation									(8)	(12)	(17)
Income from Continuing Operations Attributable to BMS common shareholders - Diluted									3,701	3,090	3,222
EPS Numerator - Diluted									3,701	3,090	10,553
Contingently convertible debt common stock equivalents									1	1	1
Incremental shares attributable to share-based compensation plans									16	13	3
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted									1,717	1,727	1,978
Diluted Earnings per Common Share from Continuing Operations Attributable to Bristol-Myers Squibb Company									$ 2.16	$ 1.79	$ 1.63
Diluted Earnings per Common Share from Discontinued Operations Attributable to Bristol-Myers Squibb Company											$ 3.71
Diluted Earnings per Common Share Attributable to Bristol-Myers Squibb Company	$ 0.50	$ 0.56	$ 0.52	$ 0.57	$ 0.28	$ 0.55	$ 0.53	$ 0.43	$ 2.16	$ 1.79	$ 5.34
Net Earnings from Discontinued Operations Attributable to BMS											7,373
Earnings from discontinued operations attributable to unvested restricted shares											(42)
Net Earnings from Discontinued Operations Attributable to BMS used for EPS calculation											$ 7,331
Anti-dilutive weighted-average equivalent shares - stock incentive plans									13	51	117