This element represents the upfront payment to acquire an asset.

No definition available.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the upfront payment to acquire an asset, net of tax, charged to research and development expense.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the cash paid to holders of stock options and restricted stock units of the acquiree in connection with an acquisition.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This element represents the cash paid to outstanding common stockholders of the acquiree in connection with an acquisition.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This element represents the total contingent approval milestone payments and regulatory of potential payments to alliance partner

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of direct costs of the business combination including legal, accounting, and other costs incurred to consummate the business acquisition.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Details

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions, acquired at the acquisition date. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates.

+ References

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of investments in debt and equity securities, including, but not limited to, held-to-maturity, trading and available-for-sale expected to be converted to cash, sold or exchanged within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, acquired at the acquisition date.

+ References

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt due within one year or within the normal operating cycle, if longer, assumed at the acquisition date.

+ References

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences and carryforwards that are expected to be realized or consumed after one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, acquired at the acquisition date.

+ References

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable temporary differences due after one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, assumed at the acquisition date.

+ References

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, that lack physical substance, having a projected indefinite period of benefit, acquired at the acquisition date.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

The amount of identifiable intangible assets recognized as of the acquisition date.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (c)

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 10

-Section 55

-Paragraph 37

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25498275&loc=d3e2207-128464

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of inventory recognized as of the acquisition date.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount recognized as of the acquisition date for the identifiable assets acquired in excess of (less than) the aggregate liabilities assumed.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of other liabilities due after one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, assumed at the acquisition date.

+ References

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of other assets expected to be realized or consumed after one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, acquired at the acquisition date.

+ References

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of property, plant, and equipment recognized as of the acquisition date.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount recognized for assets, including goodwill, in excess of (less than) the aggregate liabilities assumed.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount after accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=14024403&loc=d3e13816-109267

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388280&loc=d3e13770-109266

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of impairment loss resulting from write-down of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance and having a projected indefinite period of benefit to fair value.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16373-109275

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Additional share-based compensation cost recognized as a result of an occurrence of an event that accelerates its recognition.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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- Details

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- Details

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ACQUISITIONS (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Acquisition [Line Items]
Impairment charge for BMS-986094 intangible asset	$ 1,830
Identifiable net assets and liabilities assumed - Goodwill		7,027us-gaap_Goodwill	7,096us-gaap_Goodwill
iPierian, Inc. [Member]
Acquisition [Line Items]
Asset acquisition upfront payment		175
Contingent and regulatory milestone payments		550
Asset acquisition upfront payment net of tax		148
Deferred tax assets related to asset acquisition		27
Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [Member]
Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition costs	29
Identifiable net assets and liabilities assumed - Cash	179
Identifiable net assets and liabilities assumed - Marketable securities	108
Identifiable net assets and liabilities assumed - Inventory	173
Identifiable net assets and liabilities assumed - Property, plant and equipment	742
Identifiable net assets and liabilities assumed - Developed technology rights	6,340
Identifiable net assets and liabilities assumed - In-process research and development	120
Identifiable net assets and liabilities assumed - Other assets	136
Identifiable net assets and liabilities assumed - Debt obligations	(2,020)
Identifiable net assets and liabilities assumed - Other liabilities	(339)
Identifiable net assets and liabilities assumed - Deferred income taxes	(1,068)
Identifiable net assets and liabilities assumed - Total identifiable net assets	4,371
Identifiable net assets and liabilities assumed - Goodwill	847
Identifiable net assets and liabilities assumed - Total consideration transferred	5,218
Cash paid to outstanding common stockholders of the acquiree	5,100
Cash paid to option and restricted stock unit holders	219
Stock-based compensation expense	94
Inhibitex, Inc. [Member]
Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition costs	12
Impairment charge for BMS-986094 intangible asset	1,800
Identifiable net assets and liabilities assumed - Cash	46
Identifiable net assets and liabilities assumed - Marketable securities	17
Identifiable net assets and liabilities assumed - In-process research and development	1,875
Identifiable net assets and liabilities assumed - Debt obligations	(23)
Identifiable net assets and liabilities assumed - Other liabilities	(10)
Identifiable net assets and liabilities assumed - Deferred income taxes	(579)
Identifiable net assets and liabilities assumed - Total identifiable net assets	1,326
Identifiable net assets and liabilities assumed - Goodwill	1,213
Identifiable net assets and liabilities assumed - Total consideration transferred	$ 2,539