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Segment Reporting - Profits to Income Before Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Profits	$ 3,462	$ 3,838
Interest income	11	25
Interest expense	(200)	(212)
Amortization	534	410
Research and development	(2,465)	(2,209)
Restructuring costs	(298)	(72)
Total segment profits
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Profits	8,127	8,062
Total segment profits | Pharmaceutical segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Profits	7,555	7,582
Total segment profits | Animal Health segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Profits	572	479
Total segment profits | Other segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Profits	0	1
Other profits
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Profits	(34)	139
Unallocated
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest income	11	25
Interest expense	(200)	(212)
Amortization	534	410
Depreciation	(358)	(377)
Research and development	(2,358)	(2,097)
Restructuring costs	(298)	(72)
Other unallocated, net	$ (894)	$ (1,220)

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