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Goodwill and intangible assets (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019
--- | --- | ---
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Net book value | $ 66,808 | $ 55,311
Operating segments [member] | Innovative Medicines |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Net book value | 56,839 | 46,336
Operating segments [member] | Sandoz |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Net book value | 9,817 | 8,892
Operating segments [member] | Corporate |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Net book value | 152 | 83
Goodwill |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Net book value | 29,999 | 26,524
Goodwill | Operating segments [member] | Innovative Medicines |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Net book value | 21,718 | 18,750
Goodwill | Operating segments [member] | Sandoz |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Net book value | 8,274 | 7,767
Goodwill | Operating segments [member] | Corporate |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Net book value | 7 | 7
Intangible Assets other than Goodwill |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Net book value | 36,809 | 28,787
Intangible Assets other than Goodwill | Operating segments [member] | Innovative Medicines |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Net book value | 35,121 | 27,586
Intangible Assets other than Goodwill | Operating segments [member] | Sandoz |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Net book value | 1,543 | 1,125
Intangible Assets other than Goodwill | Operating segments [member] | Corporate |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Net book value | 145 | 76
Acquired research and development [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Net book value | 4,700 | 5,424
Acquired research and development [member] | Operating segments [member] | Innovative Medicines |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Net book value | 4,548 | 5,339
Acquired research and development [member] | Operating segments [member] | Sandoz |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Net book value | 152 | 85
Acquired research and development [member] | Operating segments [member] | Corporate |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Net book value | 0 |
Technologies |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Net book value | 230 | 163
Technologies | Operating segments [member] | Innovative Medicines |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Net book value | 3 | 7
Technologies | Operating segments [member] | Sandoz |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Net book value | 227 | 156
Technologies | Operating segments [member] | Corporate |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Net book value | 0 |
Currently marketed products |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Net book value | 30,767 | 22,579
Currently marketed products | Operating segments [member] | Innovative Medicines |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Net book value | 29,645 | 21,720
Currently marketed products | Operating segments [member] | Sandoz |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Net book value | 1,122 | 859
Currently marketed products | Operating segments [member] | Corporate |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Net book value | 0 |
Other intangible assets |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Net book value | 1,112 | 621
Other intangible assets | Operating segments [member] | Innovative Medicines |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Net book value | 925 | 520
Other intangible assets | Operating segments [member] | Sandoz |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Net book value | 42 | 25
Other intangible assets | Operating segments [member] | Corporate |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Net book value | $ 145 | $ 76

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