Collaborative arrangements (Textuals) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Collaborative Arrangements and Non-collaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
ENBREL sales	$ 4,799,000,000	$ 4,647,000,000	$ 4,595,000,000	$ 4,151,000,000	$ 4,337,000,000	$ 4,201,000,000	$ 4,200,000,000	$ 3,901,000,000	$ 18,192,000,000	$ 16,639,000,000	$ 15,295,000,000
Pfizer Inc [Member]
Collaborative Arrangements and Non-collaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Period required to pay percentage of net sales, after expiration of agreement in years									3 years
Maximum percentage of annual net ENBREL sales payable to Pfizer for three years after expiration of the collaboration agreement in the fourth quarter of 2013	12.00%								12.00%
Minimum percentage of annual net ENBREL sales payable to Pfizer for three years after expiration of the collaboration agreement in the fourth quarter of 2013	10.00%								10.00%
ENBREL sales									4,600,000,000	4,200,000,000	3,700,000,000
Pfizer Inc [Member] | Selling, General and Administrative [Member]
Collaborative Arrangements and Non-collaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Profit share and royalty expense, net of partner portion of selling and marketing expense									$ 1,300,000,000	$ 1,300,000,000	$ 1,100,000,000