Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]

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- Definition

The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of intangible assets (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. As a noncash expense, this element is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method.

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- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) in the value of a contingent consideration liability, including, but not limited to, differences arising upon settlement.

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- Definition

Amount of intangible assets, excluding goodwill, acquired at the acquisition date.

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- Definition

Amount of amortization expense for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life expected to be recognized during the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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- Definition

Amount of amortization expense for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life expected to be recognized during the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Amount of amortization expense for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life expected to be recognized during the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Amount of amortization expense for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life expected to be recognized during the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Amount of amortization expense for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life expected to be recognized during the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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- Definition

The amount of impairment loss recognized in the period resulting from the write-down of the carrying amount of a finite-lived intangible asset to fair value.

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- Definition

Amount of impairment loss resulting from write-down of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance and having a projected indefinite period of benefit to fair value.

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- Definition

Sum of the carrying amounts of all intangible assets, excluding goodwill, as of the balance sheet date, net of accumulated amortization and impairment charges.

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Goodwill and Other Intangibles - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Apr. 01, 2019
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]
Other intangibles, net	$ 14,196	$ 13,104
Intangible asset impairment charge related to marketed product	705		$ 58
IPR&D impairment charges	172	152	483
Changes in estimated fair value	64	89
Amortization expense for intangible assets	2,000	3,100	3,200
Estimated aggregate amortization expense, 2020	1,600
Estimated aggregate amortization expense, 2021	1,500
Estimated aggregate amortization expense, 2022	1,500
Estimated aggregate amortization expense, 2023	1,500
Estimated aggregate amortization expense, 2024	1,400
Sivextro
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]
Intangible asset impairment charge related to marketed product	612
Intron A
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]
Intangible asset impairment charge related to marketed product			47
IOmet Pharma Ltd
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]
IPR&D impairment charges	155
Changes in estimated fair value	(11)
SmartCells Program
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]
IPR&D impairment charges		139
Changes in estimated fair value		(60)
uprifosbuvir
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]
IPR&D impairment charges			240
verubecestat
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]
IPR&D impairment charges			$ 226
Products and product rights
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]
Other intangibles, net	7,095	9,030
Products and product rights \| Zerbaxa
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]
Other intangibles, net	2,400
Products and product rights \| Sivextro
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]
Other intangibles, net	171
Products and product rights \| Implanon/Nexplanon
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]
Other intangibles, net	412
Products and product rights \| Dificid
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]
Other intangibles, net	312
Products and product rights \| Gardasil/Gardasil 9
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]
Other intangibles, net	314
Products and product rights \| Bridion
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]
Other intangibles, net	230
Products and product rights \| Simponi
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]
Other intangibles, net	163
Trade names
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]
Other intangibles, net	2,682	102
Trade names \| Animal Health
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]
Other intangibles, net	2,400
Licenses
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]
Other intangibles, net	2,361	$ 1,673
Licenses \| Lenvima
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]
Other intangibles, net	956
Licenses \| Lynparza
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]
Other intangibles, net	$ 955
Antelliq
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill				$ 2,689