XML 71 R60.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.10.0.1

Financial Instruments - Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 9 Months Ended |  |  |
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | $ 10,176 | $ 14,908 |  |
Investments | 378 |  |  |
Derivative assets | 387 | 130 |  |
Liabilities |  |  |  |
Contingent consideration | 852 | 935 | $ 945 | $ 891
Derivative liabilities | 204 | 217 |  |
Commercial paper |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | 30 | 159 |  |
Corporate notes and bonds |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | 6,866 | 9,806 |  |
Asset-backed securities |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | $ 1,288 | 1,542 |  |
Liabilities |  |  |  |
Primary weighted average life of collateral | 5 years |  |  |
U.S. government and agency securities |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | $ 1,431 | 2,042 |  |
Foreign government bonds |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | 538 | 733 |  |
Mortgage-backed securities |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | 23 | 626 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | 10,065 | 14,531 |  |
Other assets | 489 | 652 |  |
Derivative assets | 387 | 130 |  |
Total assets | 10,941 | 15,313 |  |
Liabilities |  |  |  |
Contingent consideration | 852 | 935 |  |
Derivative liabilities | 204 | 217 |  |
Total liabilities | 1,056 | 1,152 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Foreign exchange contracts |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Derivative assets | 233 | 48 |  |
Liabilities |  |  |  |
Derivative liabilities | 60 | 162 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Currency options |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Derivative assets | 154 | 80 |  |
Liabilities |  |  |  |
Derivative liabilities | 4 | 0 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Interest rate swap contracts |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Derivative assets | 0 | 2 |  |
Liabilities |  |  |  |
Derivative liabilities | 140 | 55 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | 196 | 172 |  |
Other assets | 236 | 171 |  |
Derivative assets | 0 | 0 |  |
Total assets | 432 | 343 |  |
Liabilities |  |  |  |
Contingent consideration | 0 | 0 |  |
Derivative liabilities | 0 | 0 |  |
Total liabilities | 0 | 0 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Foreign exchange contracts |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Derivative assets | 0 | 0 |  |
Liabilities |  |  |  |
Derivative liabilities | 0 | 0 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Currency options |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Derivative assets | 0 | 0 |  |
Liabilities |  |  |  |
Derivative liabilities | 0 | 0 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Interest rate swap contracts |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Derivative assets | 0 | 0 |  |
Liabilities |  |  |  |
Derivative liabilities | 0 | 0 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | 9,869 | 14,359 |  |
Other assets | 253 | 481 |  |
Derivative assets | 387 | 130 |  |
Total assets | 10,509 | 14,970 |  |
Liabilities |  |  |  |
Contingent consideration | 0 | 0 |  |
Derivative liabilities | 204 | 217 |  |
Total liabilities | 204 | 217 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Foreign exchange contracts |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Derivative assets | 233 | 48 |  |
Liabilities |  |  |  |
Derivative liabilities | 60 | 162 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Currency options |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Derivative assets | 154 | 80 |  |
Liabilities |  |  |  |
Derivative liabilities | 4 | 0 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Interest rate swap contracts |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Derivative assets | 0 | 2 |  |
Liabilities |  |  |  |
Derivative liabilities | 140 | 55 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | 0 | 0 |  |
Other assets | 0 | 0 |  |
Derivative assets | 0 | 0 |  |
Total assets | 0 | 0 |  |
Liabilities |  |  |  |
Contingent consideration | 852 | 935 |  |
Derivative liabilities | 0 | 0 |  |
Total liabilities | 852 | 935 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Foreign exchange contracts |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Derivative assets | 0 | 0 |  |
Liabilities |  |  |  |
Derivative liabilities | 0 | 0 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Currency options |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Derivative assets | 0 | 0 |  |
Liabilities |  |  |  |
Derivative liabilities | 0 | 0 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Interest rate swap contracts |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Derivative assets | 0 | 0 |  |
Liabilities |  |  |  |
Derivative liabilities | 0 | 0 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Commercial paper |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | 30 | 159 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Commercial paper | Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | 0 | 0 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Commercial paper | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | 30 | 159 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Commercial paper | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | 0 | 0 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Corporate notes and bonds |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | 6,765 | 9,678 |  |
Other assets | 101 | 128 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Corporate notes and bonds | Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | 0 | 0 |  |
Other assets | 0 | 0 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Corporate notes and bonds | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | 6,765 | 9,678 |  |
Other assets | 101 | 128 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Corporate notes and bonds | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | 0 | 0 |  |
Other assets | 0 | 0 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Asset-backed securities |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | 1,271 | 1,476 |  |
Other assets | 17 | 66 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Asset-backed securities | Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | 0 | 0 |  |
Other assets | 0 | 0 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Asset-backed securities | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | 1,271 | 1,476 |  |
Other assets | 17 | 66 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Asset-backed securities | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | 0 | 0 |  |
Other assets | 0 | 0 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | U.S. government and agency securities |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | 1,265 | 1,835 |  |
Other assets | 166 | 207 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | U.S. government and agency securities | Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | 0 | 68 |  |
Other assets | 54 | 0 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | U.S. government and agency securities | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | 1,265 | 1,767 |  |
Other assets | 112 | 207 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | U.S. government and agency securities | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | 0 | 0 |  |
Other assets | 0 | 0 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Foreign government bonds |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | 538 | 732 |  |
Other assets | 0 | 1 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Foreign government bonds | Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | 0 | 0 |  |
Other assets | 0 | 0 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Foreign government bonds | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | 538 | 732 |  |
Other assets | 0 | 1 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Foreign government bonds | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | 0 | 0 |  |
Other assets | 0 | 0 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Mortgage-backed securities |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | 0 | 547 |  |
Other assets | 23 | 79 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Mortgage-backed securities | Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | 0 | 0 |  |
Other assets | 0 | 0 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Mortgage-backed securities | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | 0 | 547 |  |
Other assets | 23 | 79 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Mortgage-backed securities | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | 0 | 0 |  |
Other assets | 0 | 0 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Publicly traded equity securities |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | 196 | 104 |  |
Other assets | 182 | 171 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Publicly traded equity securities | Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | 196 | 104 |  |
Other assets | 182 | 171 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Publicly traded equity securities | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | 0 | 0 |  |
Other assets | 0 | 0 |  |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Publicly traded equity securities | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  |  |
Investments | 0 | 0 |  |
Other assets | $ 0 | $ 0 |  |

X
- Definition Investments, Primary Weighted Average Life of Collateral + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mrk_InvestmentsPrimaryWeightedAverageLifeofCollateral
Namespace Prefix: | mrk_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Fair value portion of probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99377789&loc=d3e19207-110258 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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

X
- Definition Amount of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109979856&loc=d3e26610-111562 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (aa) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82897076&loc=d3e27161-111563 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of liability recognized arising from contingent consideration in a business combination. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35744584&loc=d3e6927-128479 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 30 -Section 35 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6911338&loc=d3e6819-128478 Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 30 -Section 25 -Paragraph 6 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6911189&loc=d3e6408-128476 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Fair value, after the effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial asset or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement and not elected to be offset. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 10 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99393222&loc=SL20226008-175313 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 10 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109250915&loc=d3e13433-108611 Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Fair value, after the effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial liability or contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes liabilities not subject to a master netting arrangement and not elected to be offset. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 10 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109250915&loc=d3e13433-108611 Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 10 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99393222&loc=SL20226008-175313 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of investment in equity security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in net income (FV-NI). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1A -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99377092&loc=SL75136599-209740 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNi
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Fair value of financial and nonfinancial obligations. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99377789&loc=d3e19207-110258 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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

X
- Definition Amount of noncurrent assets classified as other. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.17) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in net income (trading) and investment in equity security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in net income (FV-NI). + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.4) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_TradingSecurities
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=us-gaap_CommercialPaperMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis=us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_ForeignExchangeOptionMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis=us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis=us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis=us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |