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Segment Reporting - Reconciliation of Segment Profits to Income Before Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest income	$ 36	$ 59	$ 274
Interest expense	(806)	(831)	(893)
Amortization	(1,636)	(1,817)	(1,695)
Depreciation	(1,578)	(1,669)	(1,615)
Research and development	(12,245)	(13,397)	(9,724)
Restructuring costs	(661)	(575)	(626)
Income before taxes	13,879	5,863	7,171
Total segment profits
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income before taxes	32,927	27,776	25,053
Total segment profits | Pharmaceutical segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income before taxes	30,977	26,106	23,448
Total segment profits | Animal Health
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income before taxes	1,950	1,669	1,612
Total segment profits | Other segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income before taxes	0	1	(7)
Other profits
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income before taxes	156	75	295
Unallocated
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest income	36	59	274
Interest expense	(806)	(831)	(893)
Amortization	(1,636)	(1,817)	(1,695)
Depreciation	(1,414)	(1,519)	(1,491)
Research and development	(11,692)	(12,911)	(9,351)
Restructuring costs	(661)	(575)	(626)
Other unallocated, net	$ (3,031)	$ (4,394)	$ (4,395)

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