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Goodwill and Other Intangibles - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items] |  |  |
Other intangibles, net | $ 14,183 | $ 17,305 |
Other intangibles, net | 50,131 | 50,084 |
Accumulated Amortization | 35,948 | 32,779 |
Intangible asset impairment charge related to marketed product | 58 | 347 | $ 45
IPR&D reclassified to products and product rights upon receipt of marketing approval | 14 | 8 | 280
IPR&D impairment charges | 483 | 3,600 | 63
Amortization expense for intangible assets | 3,200 | 3,800 | 4,800
Estimated Future Amortization Expense, 2018 | 2,800 |  |
Estimated Future Amortization Expense, 2019 | 1,500 |  |
Estimated Future Amortization Expense, 2020 | 1,200 |  |
Estimated Future Amortization Expense, 2021 | 1,100 |  |
Estimated Future Amortization Expense, 2022 | 1,100 |  |
Zerbaxa |  |  |
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items] |  |  |
Other intangibles, net | 3,000 |  |
Sivextro |  |  |
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items] |  |  |
Other intangibles, net | 879 |  |
Zetia |  |  |
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items] |  |  |
Other intangibles, net | 756 |  |
Implanon/Nexplanon |  |  |
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items] |  |  |
Other intangibles, net | 529 |  |
Dificid |  |  |
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items] |  |  |
Other intangibles, net | 478 |  |
Gardasil/Gardasil 9 |  |  |
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items] |  |  |
Other intangibles, net | 468 | 468 |
Vytorin |  |  |
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items] |  |  |
Other intangibles, net | 375 |  |
Bridion |  |  |
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items] |  |  |
Other intangibles, net | 320 |  |
Simponi |  |  |
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items] |  |  |
Other intangibles, net | 226 |  |
Adempas |  |  |
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items] |  |  |
Other intangibles, net | 894 |  |
Intron A |  |  |
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items] |  |  |
Other intangibles, net | 13 |  |
Intangible asset impairment charge related to marketed product | 47 |  |
Zontivity |  |  |
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items] |  |  |
Intangible asset impairment charge related to marketed product |  | 252 |
Grastek/Ragwitek |  |  |
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items] |  |  |
Intangible asset impairment charge related to marketed product |  | 95 |
uprifosbuvir |  |  |
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items] |  |  |
Other intangibles, net |  | 240 |
IPR&D impairment charges | 240 | 2,900 |
verubecestat [Member] |  |  |
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items] |  |  |
IPR&D impairment charges | $ 226 |  |
monoclonal antibody (cCAM) |  |  |
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items] |  |  |
IPR&D impairment charges |  | 180 |
BET inhibitor (OncoEthix) |  |  |
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items] |  |  |
IPR&D impairment charges |  | 143 |
diabetes treatment |  |  |
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items] |  |  |
IPR&D impairment charges |  | 72 |
House Dust Mite |  |  |
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items] |  |  |
IPR&D impairment charges |  | 112 |
Next Generation Ring |  |  |
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items] |  |  |
IPR&D impairment charges |  | $ 79 |
surotomycin |  |  |
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items] |  |  |
IPR&D impairment charges |  |  | $ 50

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