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Segment Reporting - Reconciliation of Segment Profits to Income Before Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Profits	$ 3,067	$ 1,345
Interest income	89	85
Interest expense	(209)	(185)
Depreciation and amortization	(898)	(1,137)
Research and development	(1,931)	(3,196)
Restructuring costs	(153)	(95)
Total segment profits
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Profits	6,991	6,415
Total segment profits | Pharmaceutical segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Profits	6,574	5,939
Total segment profits | Animal Health segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Profits	415	413
Total segment profits | Other segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Profits	2	63
Other profits (losses)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Profits	30	(87)
Unallocated
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest income	89	85
Interest expense	(209)	(185)
Depreciation and amortization	(359)	(350)
Research and development	(1,843)	(3,117)
Amortization of purchase accounting adjustments	(397)	(733)
Restructuring costs	(153)	(95)
Other unallocated, net	$ (1,082)	$ (588)

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