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Segment Reporting - Profits to Income Before Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Profits	$ 1,717	$ 2,741	$ 4,704	$ 5,702
Interest income	9	14	20	39
Interest expense	(202)	(209)	(401)	(421)
Amortization			871	988
Research and development	(4,321)	(2,085)	(6,732)	(4,260)
Restructuring costs	(82)	(82)	(380)	(152)
Total segment profits
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Profits	7,809	6,240	14,969	13,098
Total segment profits | Pharmaceutical segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Profits	7,257	5,832	13,845	12,209
Total segment profits | Animal Health segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Profits	552	408	1,124	887
Total segment profits | Other segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Profits	0	0	0	2
Other profits
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Profits	(79)	43	(113)	163
Unallocated
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest income	9	14	20	39
Interest expense	(202)	(209)	(401)	(421)
Amortization	357	599	871	988
Depreciation	(332)	(367)	(673)	(733)
Research and development	(4,175)	(1,956)	(6,480)	(4,020)
Restructuring costs	(82)	(82)	(380)	(152)
Other unallocated, net	$ (874)	$ (343)	$ (1,367)	$ (1,284)

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