2.2.0.25truefalse42403 - Disclosure - FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (OCI and Earnings from Derivative Instruments Qualifying as Cash Flow Hedges) (Details)truefalseIn Millionsfalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) USD ($) / shares $Duration_1_1_2010_To_12_31_2010http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000014272duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00Unit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170Unit13Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0Unit12Divide< MeasureSchema>http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0Unit15Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$2falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 USD ($) USD ($) / shares $Duration_1_1_2009_To_12_31_2009http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000014272duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00Unit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170Unit15Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0Unit12Dividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0Unit13Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$3falsefalseUSDfalsefalse12/31/2007 USD ($) $As_Of_12_31_2007http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000014272instant2007-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00Unit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170Unit15Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$2false0us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTaxus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruefalsefalseperiodstartlabel1truefalsefalse-30000000-30falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1400000014falsetruefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse-37000000-37falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAccumulated change, net of tax, in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges. Includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gains or losses.Refere nce 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 26 falsefalse3false0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodBeforeTaxus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1800000018falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-28000000-28falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryPre tax change in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instrument designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges. A cash flow hedge is a hedge of the exposure to variability in the cash flows of a recognized asset or liability or a forecasted transaction that is attributable to a particular ri sk. Includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gains or losses.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 17, 20 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(3) Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 24 -Subparagraph b Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 46 falsefalse4false0us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassifiedToCostOfSalesNetus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse-10000000-10falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-32000000-32falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of net gains (losses) on a cash flow hedge reclassified in the period to cost of sales from accumulated other comprehensive income.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph b -Clause 1 falsefalse5false0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodTaxus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetersela bel1truefalsefalse20000002falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1400000014falsefalsefalsefal sefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTax effect on the change in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges. Includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gains or losses.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(3) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 25 falsefalse6false0bmy_OtherComprehensiveIncomeReclassificationAdjustmentOnDerivativesDueToDivestituresbmyfalsedebitdurationNet of tax effect of the reclassification adjustment for accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designated...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00&nbsp;falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse20000002falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryNet of tax effect of the reclassification adjustment for accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges included in accumulated comprehensive in come/loss that was realized in net income during the period related to business divestitures.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse7false0us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTaxus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefa lsefalsetruefalseperiodendlabel1truefalsefalse-20000000-20falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-30000000-30falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse-37000000-37falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAccumulated change, net of tax, in accumulated gains and losses from derivative inst ruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges. Includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gains or losses.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 26 falsefalse8false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.bms.com/taxonomy/role/disclosurefinancialinstrumentsociandearningsfromderivativeinstrumentsqualifyingascashflowhedgesdetails< Cells>1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis} : Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member] 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $Duration_1_1_2010_To_12_31_201022224http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000014272duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseForeign Currency Forward Contracts [Member]us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMemberus-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxisexplicitMemberUnit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217< /MeasureSchema>USDiso42170USDUSD$5falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis} : Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member] 1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 USD ($) $Duration_1_1_2009_To_12_31_20092224http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000014272duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseForeign Currency Forward Contracts [Member]us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMemberus-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxisexplicitMemberUnit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse9false0us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTaxus-gaap< IsBaseElement>truecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruefalsefalseperiodstartlabel1truefalsefalse-11000000-11falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse3500000035falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAccumulated change, net of tax, in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges. Includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gains or losses.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 26 falsefalse10false0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodBeforeTaxus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel< Cell>1truefalsefalse1600000016falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-30000000-30falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryPre tax change in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instrument designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges. A cash flow hedge is a hedge of the exposure to variability in the cash flows of a recognized asset or liability or a forecasted transaction that is attributable to a particular r isk. Includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gains or losses.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 17, 20 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(3) Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 24 -Subparagraph b Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 46 falsefalse11false0us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassifiedToCostOfSalesNetus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse-19000000-19falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-33000000-33falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of net gains (losses) on a cash flow hedge reclassified in the period to cost of sales from accumulated other comprehensive income.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph b -Clause 1 falsefalse12false0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodTaxus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetersel abel1truefalsefalse30000003falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1500000015falsefalsefalsefa lsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTax effect on the change in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges. Includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gains or losses.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(3) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 25 falsefalse13false0bmy_OtherComprehensiveIncomeReclassificationAdjustmentOnDerivativesDueToDivestituresbmyfalsedebitdurationNet of tax effect of the reclassification adjustment for accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designated...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00&nbsp;falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse20000002falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryNet of tax effect of the reclassification adjustment for accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges included in accumulated comprehensive i ncome/loss that was realized in net income during the period related to business divestitures.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse14false0us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTaxus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse falsefalsetruefalseperiodendlabel1truefalsefalse-11000000-11falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-11000000-11falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAccumulated change, net of tax, in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges. Includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gains or losses.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 26 falsefalse15false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.bms.com/taxonomy/role/disclosurefinancialinstrumentsociandearningsfromderivativeinstrumentsqualifyingascashflowhedgesdetails 1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis} : Natural Gas Contracts [Member] 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $Duration_1_1_2010_To_12_31_201022223http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000014272duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseNatural Gas Contracts [Member]us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibmy_NaturalGasContractsMemberus-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxisexplicitMemberUnit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$7falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis} : Natural Gas Contracts [Member] 1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 USD ($) $Duration_1_1_2009_To_12_31_200972http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000014272duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseNatural Gas Contracts [Member]us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibmy_NaturalGasContractsMemberus-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxisexplicitMemberUnit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse16false0us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTaxus-gaaptrue creditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruefalsefalseperiodstartlabel1truefalsefalse-1000000-1falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-2000000-2falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAccumulated change, net of tax, in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges. Includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gains or losses.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 26 falsefalse17false0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodBeforeTaxus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel< Cell>1truefalsefalse20000002falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse20000002falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryPre tax change in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instrument designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges. A cash flow hedge is a hedge of the exposure to variability in the cash flows of a recognized asset or liability or a forecasted transaction that is attributable to a particular risk. I ncludes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gains or losses.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 17, 20 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(3) Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 24 -Subparagraph b Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 46 falsefalse18false0us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassifiedToCostOfSalesNetus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00&nbsp;falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00&nbsp;falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of net gains (losses) on a cash flow hedge reclassified in the period to cost of sales from accumulated other comprehensive income.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph b -Clause 1 falsefalse19false0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodTaxus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetersel abel1truefalsefalse-1000000-1falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-1000000-1falsefalsefalse falsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTax effect on the change in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges. Includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gains or losses.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(3) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 25 falsefalse20false0bmy_OtherComprehensiveIncomeReclassificationAdjustmentOnDerivativesDueToDivestituresbmyfalsedebitdurationNet of tax effect of the reclassification adjustment for accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designated...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00&nbsp;falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00&nbsp;falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryNet of tax effect of the reclassification adjustment for accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges included in accumu lated comprehensive income/loss that was realized in net income during the period related to business divestitures.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse21false0us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTaxus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruefalseperiodendlabel1falsefalsefalse00&nbsp;falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-1000000-1falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAccumulated change, net of tax, in accumulated gains an d losses from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges. Includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gains or losses.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 26 falsefalse22false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.bms.com/taxonomy/role/disclosurefinancialinstrumentsociandearningsfromderivativeinstrumentsqualifyingascashflowhedgesdetails 1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis} : Forward Starting Swaps [Member] 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $Duration_1_1_2010_To_12_31_201022222http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000014272duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseForward Starting Swaps [Member]us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibmy_ForwardStartingSwapsMemberus-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxisexplicitMemberUnit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$9falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis} : Forward Starting Swaps [Member] 1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 USD ($) $Duration_1_1_2009_To_12_31_20092248http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000014272duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseForward Starting Swaps [Member]us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldibmy_ForwardStartingSwapsMemberus-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxisexplicitMemberUnit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse23false0us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTaxus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruefalsefalseperiodstartlabel1truefalsefalse-18000000-18falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-19000000-19falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAccumulated change, net of tax, in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges. Includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gains or losses.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 26 falsefalse24false0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodBeforeTaxus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel< Cell>1falsefalsefalse00&nbsp;falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00&nbsp;falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryPre tax change in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instrument designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges. A cash flow hedge is a hedge of the exposure to variability in the cash flows of a recognized asset or liability or a forecasted transaction th at is attributable to a particular risk. Includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gains or losses.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 17, 20 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(3) Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 24 -Subparagraph b Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 46 falsefalse25false0us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassifiedToCostOfSalesNetus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse90000009falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse10000001falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3fal sefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of net gains (losses) on a cash flow hedge reclassified in the period to cost of sales from accumulated other comprehensive income.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph b -Clause 1 falsefalse26false0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodTaxus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetersel abel1falsefalsefalse00&nbsp;falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse< hasSegments>falsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTax effect on the change in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges. Includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gains or losses .Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(3) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 25 falsefalse27false0bmy_OtherComprehensiveIncomeReclassificationAdjustmentOnDerivativesDueToDivestituresbmyfalsedebitdurationNet of tax effect of the reclassification adjustment for accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designated...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00&nbsp;falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryNet of tax effect of the reclassification adjustment for accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges included in accumulated comprehensive income /loss that was realized in net income during the period related to business divestitures.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse28false0us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesEffectNetOfTaxus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse falsetruefalseperiodendlabel1truefalsefalse-9000000-9falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-18000000-18falsetruefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAccumulated change, net of tax, in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designat ed and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges. Includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gains or losses.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 26 falsefalse327FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (OCI and Earnings from Derivative Instruments Qualifying as Cash Flow Hedges) (Details) (USD $)MillionsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue