Segment Reporting - Reconciliation of Segment Profits to Income Before Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income Before Taxes	$ 2,887	$ 2,397	$ 6,015	$ 4,585
Interest income	87	68	244	214
Interest expense	(170)	(165)	(513)	(503)
Equity income from affiliates	21	63	59	210
Depreciation and amortization			(4,286)	(4,815)
Research and development	(1,664)	(1,500)	(5,475)	(4,906)
Restructuring costs	(161)	(113)	(386)	(386)
Foreign currency devaluation related to Venezuela			0	(715)
Total segment profits
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income Before Taxes	6,551	6,035	17,827	17,296
Total segment profits | Pharmaceutical segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income Before Taxes	6,162	5,641	16,698	16,088
Total segment profits | Other segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income Before Taxes	389	394	1,129	1,208
Other profits (losses)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income Before Taxes	21	204	341	582
Unallocated:
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest income	87	68	244	214
Interest expense	(170)	(165)	(513)	(503)
Equity income from affiliates	(27)	25	(13)	161
Depreciation and amortization	(365)	(381)	(1,228)	(1,169)
Research and development	(1,444)	(1,291)	(4,651)	(4,310)
Amortization of purchase accounting adjustments	(772)	(1,180)	(2,932)	(3,658)
Restructuring costs	(161)	(113)	(386)	(386)
Gain on sale of certain migraine clinical development programs	40	250	40	250
Foreign currency devaluation related to Venezuela	0	0	0	(715)
Other unallocated, net	$ (873)	$ (1,055)	$ (2,714)	$ (3,177)