Segment and Geographic Area Information - Sales and Earnings (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Segment Information
Net Sales to External Customers	$ 43,075	$ 34,608	$ 31,904
Operating Earnings	8,425	5,357	4,532
Established Pharmaceutical Products
Segment Information
Net Sales to External Customers	4,718	4,303	4,486
Nutritional Products
Segment Information
Net Sales to External Customers	8,294	7,647	7,409
Diagnostic Products
Segment Information
Net Sales to External Customers	15,644	10,805	7,713
Medical Devices
Segment Information
Net Sales to External Customers	14,367	11,787	12,239
Other Segment
Segment Information
Net Sales to External Customers	52	66	57
Total Reportable Segment Operating Earnings
Segment Information
Net Sales to External Customers	43,023	34,542	31,487
Operating Earnings	13,422	9,308	8,290
Total Reportable Segment Operating Earnings | Established Pharmaceutical Products
Segment Information
Net Sales to External Customers	4,718	4,303	4,486
Operating Earnings	889	794	904
Total Reportable Segment Operating Earnings | Nutritional Products
Segment Information
Net Sales to External Customers	8,294	7,647	7,409
Operating Earnings	1,763	1,751	1,705
Total Reportable Segment Operating Earnings | Diagnostic Products
Segment Information
Net Sales to External Customers	15,644	10,805	7,713
Operating Earnings	6,256	3,725	1,912
Total Reportable Segment Operating Earnings | Medical Devices
Segment Information
Net Sales to External Customers	14,367	11,787	12,239
Operating Earnings	$ 4,514	$ 3,038	$ 3,769