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Segmentation of key figures (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |  |
Interest income | $ 91 | $ 245 | $ 292
Impairment charges and fair value gains on financial assets, net | 335 | 38 | (6)
Additions to restructuring provisions | (354) | (492) | (521)
Continuing operations |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |  |
Equity-based compensation of Novartis equity plans | (958) | (1,067) | (918)
Property, plant and equipment [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |  |
Depreciation and amortisation expense | (1,318) | (1,345) | (1,482)
Impairment loss (reversal of impairment loss) recognised in profit or loss | (440) | (202) | (301)
Right-of-use assets [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |  |
Depreciation and amortisation expense | (330) | (305) |
Intangible assets and goodwill [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |  |
Depreciation and amortisation expense | (3,462) | (2,836) | (2,587)
Impairment loss (reversal of impairment loss) recognised in profit or loss | (914) | (1,138) | (841)
Operating segments [member] | Innovative Medicines | Continuing operations |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |  |
Impairment charges and fair value gains on financial assets, net | 153 | 18 | 107
Additions to restructuring provisions | (217) | (229) | (395)
Equity-based compensation of Novartis equity plans | (714) | (761) | (645)
Operating segments [member] | Innovative Medicines | Property, plant and equipment [member] | Continuing operations |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |  |
Depreciation and amortisation expense | (912) | (952) | (1,075)
Impairment loss (reversal of impairment loss) recognised in profit or loss | (324) | (100) | (239)
Operating segments [member] | Innovative Medicines | Right-of-use assets [member] | Continuing operations |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |  |
Depreciation and amortisation expense | (273) | (247) |
Operating segments [member] | Innovative Medicines | Intangible assets and goodwill [member] | Continuing operations |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |  |
Depreciation and amortisation expense | (3,080) | (2,509) | (2,214)
Impairment loss (reversal of impairment loss) recognised in profit or loss | (768) | (632) | (592)
Operating segments [member] | Sandoz | Continuing operations |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |  |
Additions to restructuring provisions | (98) | (165) | (32)
Equity-based compensation of Novartis equity plans | (64) | (67) | (53)
Operating segments [member] | Sandoz | Property, plant and equipment [member] | Continuing operations |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |  |
Depreciation and amortisation expense | (282) | (283) | (285)
Impairment loss (reversal of impairment loss) recognised in profit or loss | (116) | (101) | (60)
Operating segments [member] | Sandoz | Right-of-use assets [member] | Continuing operations |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |  |
Depreciation and amortisation expense | (41) | (41) |
Operating segments [member] | Sandoz | Intangible assets and goodwill [member] | Continuing operations |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |  |
Depreciation and amortisation expense | (370) | (315) | (366)
Impairment loss (reversal of impairment loss) recognised in profit or loss | (141) | (506) | (249)
Operating segments [member] | Corporate | Continuing operations |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |  |
Impairment charges and fair value gains on financial assets, net | 182 | 20 | (113)
Additions to restructuring provisions | (39) | (98) | (94)
Equity-based compensation of Novartis equity plans | (180) | (239) | (220)
Operating segments [member] | Corporate | Property, plant and equipment [member] | Continuing operations |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |  |
Depreciation and amortisation expense | (124) | (110) | (122)
Impairment loss (reversal of impairment loss) recognised in profit or loss |  | (1) | (2)
Operating segments [member] | Corporate | Right-of-use assets [member] | Continuing operations |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |  |
Depreciation and amortisation expense | (16) | (17) |
Operating segments [member] | Corporate | Intangible assets and goodwill [member] | Continuing operations |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |  |
Depreciation and amortisation expense | (12) | $ (12) | $ (7)
Impairment loss (reversal of impairment loss) recognised in profit or loss | $ (5) |  |

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