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

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

No definition available.

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

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

No definition available.

Name:	bmy_MaximumPercentageOfReimbursementForDevelopmentCostsFromCollaborations
Namespace Prefix:	bmy_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

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

No definition available.

Name:	bmy_MinimumPercentageOfReimbursementForDevelopmentCostsFromCollaborations
Namespace Prefix:	bmy_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

This element represents the total additional development and regulatory milestone receipts that the Company could receive if all development and regulatory milestones are met.

No definition available.

Name:	bmy_PotentialAdditionalDevelopmentAndRegulatoryMilestoneReceipts
Namespace Prefix:	bmy_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

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

No definition available.

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

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.

No definition available.

Name:	bmy_ReimbursementOfDevelopmentExpenseToFromCollaborations
Namespace Prefix:	bmy_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

This element represents the total upfront, milestone and other licensing payments received to date. Upfront and contingent milestones received are amortized over the shorter of the contractual term or estimated life of the product.

No definition available.

Name:	bmy_TotalUpfrontMilestoneAndOtherLicensingPaymentsReceived
Namespace Prefix:	bmy_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The amount of upfront, licensing and milestone payments received by the Company during the period. Upfront and contingent milestones received are amortized over the shorter of the contractual term or estimated life of the product.

No definition available.

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

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.

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=27012821&loc=d3e214044-122780

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredRevenueAndCredits
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

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.

Reference 1: 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=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5