XML 60 R49.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.7.0.1

Other Intangibles - Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2017 | Jun. 30, 2016 | Jun. 30, 2017 | Jun. 30, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2016
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Intangible asset impairment charges related to finite-lived intangible assets |  | $ 95 |  | $ 347 |
Other Intangibles, Net | $ 16,119 |  | $ 16,119 |  | $ 17,305
Intron A |  |  |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Intangible asset impairment charges related to finite-lived intangible assets | 47 |  | 47 |  |
Other Intangibles, Net | $ 25 |  | $ 25 |  |
Zontivity |  |  |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Intangible asset impairment charges related to finite-lived intangible assets |  |  |  | $ 252 |

X
- Definition 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. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of impairment loss recognized in the period resulting from the write-down of the carrying amount of a finite-lived intangible asset 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=66006027&loc=d3e16373-109275 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsFinitelived
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Sum of the carrying amounts of all intangible assets, excluding goodwill, as of the balance sheet date, net of accumulated amortization and impairment charges. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388964&loc=d3e16212-109274 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph ((a)(1),(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66006027&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis=mrk_IntronAMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis=mrk_ZontivityMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |