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

The amount of operating expense at or below which the collaboration partner will contribute a given percentage of reimbursements per the collaboration agreement.

No definition available.

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

The amount of operating expense over which the collaboration partner will contribute a given percentage of reimbursements per the collaboration agreement.

No definition available.

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

The amount of an oncology product fee paid to an alliance partner during the period, which is recognized in cost of products sold.

No definition available.

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

This element represents payments to or (from) alliance partners for the costs of product supply during the period, which are included in cost of products sold.

No definition available.

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

The percentage of annual net sales of certain products payable as a collaboration fee to third parties in alliances and collaborations.

No definition available.

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

The percentage of sales to be recognized pursuant to the collaboration agreement.

No definition available.

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

The percentage of operating expenses to be reimbursed by the collaboration partner pursuant to the collaboration agreement.

No definition available.

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

The maximum amount of sales within a range for which a given percentage will be paid to the collaboration partner as a collaboration fee per the collaboration agreement.

No definition available.

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

The minimum amount of sales within a range for which a given percentage will be paid to the collaboration partner as a collaboration fee per the collaboration agreement.

No definition available.

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

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

No definition available.

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

Revenues from the sale of other goods or rendering of other services, not elsewhere specified in the taxonomy; net of (reduced by) sales adjustments, returns, allowances, and 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(a),(d))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Name:	us-gaap_OtherSalesRevenueNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of expense related to royalty payments under a contractual arrangement such as payment for mineral and drilling rights and use of technology or intellectual property.

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 210.5-03.3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Name:	us-gaap_RoyaltyExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Aggregate revenue during the period from the sale of goods in the normal course of business, after deducting returns, allowances and 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(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Name:	us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

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

Name:	us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Name:	us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis=bmy_AbilifyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

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

Name:	bmy_LocationAxis=bmy_UnitedStatesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	bmy_NetSalesAxis=bmy_AnnualNetSalesUpTo2Point7BillionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	bmy_NetSalesAxis=bmy_AnnualNetSalesBetween2Point7BillionAnd3Point2BillionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	bmy_NetSalesAxis=bmy_AnnualNetSalesBetween3Point2BillionAnd3Point7BillionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	bmy_NetSalesAxis=bmy_AnnualNetSalesBetween3Point7BillionAnd4Point0BillionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	bmy_NetSalesAxis=bmy_AnnualNetSalesBetween4Point0BillionAnd4Point2BillionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	bmy_NetSalesAxis=bmy_AnnualNetSalesOver4Point2BillionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	bmy_LocationAxis=us-gaap_EuropeanUnionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	bmy_LocationAxis=bmy_OncologyTerritoryMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis=bmy_SprycelAndIxempraMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	bmy_OperatingExpenseAxis=bmy_OperatingExpenseUpTo175MillionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	bmy_OperatingExpenseAxis=bmy_OperatingExpensesOver175MillionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	bmy_NetSalesAxis=bmy_AnnualNetSalesUpTo400MillionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	bmy_NetSalesAxis=bmy_AnnualNetSalesBetween400And600MillionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	bmy_NetSalesAxis=bmy_AnnualNetSalesBetween600And800MillionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	bmy_NetSalesAxis=bmy_AnnualNetSalesBetween800MillionAnd1BillionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: