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Segment Reporting - Reconciliation of Segment Profits to Income before Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Profits	$ 5,266	$ 2,706	$ 9,970	$ 8,408
Interest income	7	9	27	48
Interest expense	(196)	(203)	(597)	(624)
Amortization			(1,231)	(1,393)
Depreciation			(1,148)	(1,210)
Research and development	(2,445)	(3,349)	(9,177)	(7,609)
Restructuring costs	(107)	(113)	(487)	(265)
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Profits	9,111	7,484	24,079	20,583
Operating Segments | Pharmaceutical segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Profits	8,606	7,026	22,450	19,235
Operating Segments | Animal Health segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Profits	505	459	1,629	1,347
Operating Segments | Other segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Profits	0	(1)	0	1
Corporate, Non-Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Profits	141	(28)	29	135
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest income	7	9	27	48
Interest expense	(196)	(203)	(597)	(624)
Amortization	(360)	(406)	(1,231)	(1,393)
Depreciation	(358)	(367)	(1,031)	(1,105)
Research and development	(2,312)	(3,231)	(8,775)	(7,251)
Restructuring costs	(107)	(113)	(487)	(265)
Other unallocated, net	$ (660)	$ (439)	$ (2,044)	$ (1,720)

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