ALLIANCES (F-Star) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Change In Noncontrolling Interest Related to Variable Interest Entities	$ 59
F-Star [Member]
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Option and licensing rights payment	50
Days following obtaining proof of concept	60 days
Option exercise payment	100
Consideration for contingent development and regulatory approval	325
Change In Noncontrolling Interest Related to Variable Interest Entities	59
Fair value of FS102 IPRD asset	$ 75

This element represents the change in noncontrolling interest related to variable interest entities.

No definition available.

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

- Definition

This element represents that additional aggregate consideration for contingent development and regulatory approval milestone payments.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The number of days following obtaining proof of concept which is the minimum expiration date for the option.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bmy_Daysfollowingobtainingproofofconcept
Namespace Prefix:	bmy_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the additional amount that will be paid upon the exercise of the option.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This element represents the amount of an upfront payment to a collaboration partner for the option fee and certain licensing rights which was recorded in research and development.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Details

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

- Definition

Fair value portion of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, that lack physical substance, having a projected indefinite period of benefit.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25499696&loc=d3e19190-110258

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwillFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	bmy_AlliancesAndCollaborationCompaniesAxis=bmy_FStarMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: