Segment and Geographic Area Information - Depreciation and Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Segment Information
Depreciation	$ 1,491	$ 1,195	$ 1,078
Additions to Property and Equipment	1,872	2,193	1,668
Total Assets	75,196	72,548
Segment assets:
Total Assets	75,196	72,548
Other Segment
Segment Information
Depreciation	201	195	172
Additions to Property and Equipment	201	218	160
Total Reportable Segment Operating Earnings
Segment Information
Depreciation	1,290	1,000	906
Additions to Property and Equipment	1,671	1,975	1,508
Total Assets	21,174	20,955	18,007
Segment assets:
Total Assets	21,174	20,955	18,007
Total Reportable Segment Operating Earnings | Established Pharmaceutical Products
Segment Information
Depreciation	94	88	98
Additions to Property and Equipment	169	109	109
Total Assets	2,789	2,888	2,858
Segment assets:
Total Assets	2,789	2,888	2,858
Total Reportable Segment Operating Earnings | Nutritional Products
Segment Information
Depreciation	151	143	139
Additions to Property and Equipment	174	201	141
Total Assets	3,425	3,478	3,274
Segment assets:
Total Assets	3,425	3,478	3,274
Total Reportable Segment Operating Earnings | Diagnostic Products
Segment Information
Depreciation	760	488	403
Additions to Property and Equipment	980	1,263	726
Total Assets	7,699	7,696	5,235
Segment assets:
Total Assets	7,699	7,696	5,235
Total Reportable Segment Operating Earnings | Medical Devices
Segment Information
Depreciation	285	281	266
Additions to Property and Equipment	348	402	532
Total Assets	7,261	6,893	6,640
Segment assets:
Total Assets	7,261	6,893	$ 6,640
Reconciling items
Segment assets:
Cash and investments	11,065	7,969
Goodwill and intangible assets	35,970	38,528
All other	6,987	5,096
Reconciling items | Defined Benefit Plans
Segment assets:
All other	$ 2,270	$ 824