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Restructuring - Charges and Spending Relating to Restructuring Activities by Program (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance	$ 541
Expense	215	$ 196
(Payments) receipts, net	(221)
Non-cash activity	(22)
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	513
Separation Costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance	395
Expense	84	26
(Payments) receipts, net	(103)
Non-cash activity	0
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	376
Accelerated Depreciation
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance	0
Expense	49	80
(Payments) receipts, net	0
Non-cash activity	(49)
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	0
Other
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance	146
Expense	82	$ 90
(Payments) receipts, net	(118)
Non-cash activity	27
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	$ 137

X

- Definition

Noncash activity affecting the restructuring reserve, including accelerated depreciation.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	mrk_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Amount of cash payments made as the result of exit or disposal activities. Excludes payments associated with a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 25
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3536-108585

+ Details

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X

- Definition

Discloses the amount charged against the accrued restructuring reserves, or earnings if not previously accrued, during the period for the specified type of restructuring cost.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.P.4(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747

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Balance Type:	debit
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X

- Definition

Carrying amount (including both current and noncurrent portions of the accrual) as of the balance sheet date pertaining to a specified type of cost associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructuring pursuant to a duly authorized plan.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869

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X

- Definition

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Details

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- Details

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