XML 47 R36.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.7.0.1

Restructuring - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($) position | Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) position | Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($) position | Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) position
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Total pretax restructuring costs | $ 210 | $ 351 | $ 425 | $ 547
Cumulative restructuring costs incurred to date since program inception | $ 13,000 |  | $ 13,000 |
Positions eliminated since inception of program (in positions) | position | 41,920 |  | 41,920 |
Estimated remaining costs related to restructuring program activities | $ 300 |  | $ 300 |
Percentage estimate of cumulative pretax costs that will result in cash outlays (primarily from employee separation expense) (as percent) |  |  | 66.67% |
Percentage estimate of cumulative pretax costs that will be non-cash (primarily from accelerated depreciation of facilities) (as percent) |  |  | 33.33% |
Number of positions eliminated | position | 475 | 585 | 1,020 | 1,055

X
- Definition Estimate of cumulative pre tax costs that will be noncash. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mrk_EstimateOfCumulativePreTaxCostsThatWillBeNoncash
Namespace Prefix: | mrk_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Estimate of cumulative pre tax costs that will result in cash outlays (primarily from employee separation expense). + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mrk_EstimateOfCumulativePreTaxCostsThatWillResultInCashOutlays
Namespace Prefix: | mrk_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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

X
- Definition Amount of costs incurred to date for the specified 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 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of expected cost remaining for the specified restructuring cost. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCostRemaining1
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The number of positions eliminated during the period as a result of restructuring activities. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostNumberOfPositionsEliminated
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The number of positions eliminated as of the balance sheet date since inception of the restructuring plan(s). + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostNumberOfPositionsEliminatedInceptionToDate
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant