Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales to External Customers	$ 11,257	$ 10,223	$ 23,152	$ 20,679
Operating Earnings	2,376	1,392	5,288	3,501
Amortization of intangible assets	(507)	(504)	(1,019)	(1,013)
Earnings before taxes	$ 2,352	$ 1,348	$ 5,228	$ 3,391
Annual share-based awards recognized in first quarter (as a percent)	45.00%	45.00%	45.00%	45.00%
Nutritionals
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Inventory recall expense	$ 42		$ 162
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales to External Customers	11,255	$ 10,201	23,147	$ 20,641
Operating Earnings	3,353	2,994	7,493	6,338
Operating Segments | Established Pharmaceutical Products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales to External Customers	1,223	1,180	2,370	2,250
Operating Earnings	258	220	500	389
Operating Segments | Nutritionals
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales to External Customers	1,953	2,108	3,847	4,144
Operating Earnings	230	490	481	957
Operating Segments | Diagnostics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales to External Customers	4,322	3,247	9,608	7,261
Operating Earnings	1,710	1,076	4,279	2,777
Operating Segments | Medical Devices
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales to External Customers	3,757	3,666	7,322	6,986
Operating Earnings	1,155	1,208	2,233	2,215
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales to External Customers	2	22	5	38
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Corporate functions and benefit plan costs	(123)	(132)	(237)	(246)
Net interest expense	(106)	(123)	(223)	(247)
Share-based compensation	(142)	(132)	(447)	(420)
Amortization of intangible assets	(507)	(504)	(1,019)	(1,013)
Other, net	$ (123)	$ (755)	$ (339)	$ (1,021)