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Segment Reporting - Reconciliation of Segment Profits to Income Before Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Profits	$ 2,439	$ 1,504	$ 4,442	$ 3,128
Interest income	96	78	194	157
Interest expense	(193)	(171)	(375)	(343)
Equity income from affiliates	5	4	(8)	38
Depreciation and amortization			(2,355)	(3,111)
Research and development	(1,749)	(2,151)	(3,545)	(3,810)
Restructuring costs	(166)	(134)	(317)	(225)
Total segment profits
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Profits	6,121	5,806	11,754	11,276
Total segment profits | Pharmaceutical segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Profits	5,613	5,420	10,793	10,537
Total segment profits | Other segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Profits	508	386	961	739
Other profits
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Profits	43	93	186	320
Unallocated
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest income	96	78	194	157
Interest expense	(193)	(171)	(375)	(343)
Equity income from affiliates	5	(6)	(7)	14
Depreciation and amortization	(332)	(438)	(702)	(864)
Research and development	(1,527)	(1,833)	(3,126)	(3,206)
Amortization of purchase accounting adjustments	(779)	(1,027)	(1,557)	(2,161)
Restructuring costs	(166)	(134)	(317)	(225)
Other unallocated, net	$ (829)	$ (864)	$ (1,608)	$ (1,840)

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