Summary of significant accounting policies	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of significant accounting policies	Summary of significant accounting policies Business Amgen Inc. (including its subsidiaries, referred to as “Amgen,” “the Company,” “we,” “our” or “us”) is a global biotechnology pioneer that discovers, develops, manufactures and delivers innovative human therapeutics. We operate in one business segment: human therapeutics. Basis of presentation The financial information for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, is unaudited but includes all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, unless otherwise indicated), which Amgen considers necessary for a fair presentation of its condensed consolidated results of operations for those periods. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for the full fiscal year. The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, and with our condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto contained in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2015. Principles of consolidation The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Amgen as well as its majority-owned subsidiaries. We do not have any significant interests in any variable interest entities. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Use of estimates The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates. Property, plant and equipment, net Property, plant and equipment is recorded at historical cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $7.3 billion and $7.0 billion as of June 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively. Recent accounting pronouncements In May 2014, a new accounting standard was issued that amends the guidance for the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers to transfer goods and services. This new standard, as originally issued, would be effective for interim and annual periods beginning January 1, 2017, and would be required to be adopted using either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach, with early adoption not permitted. In July 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board voted to delay the required date of adoption of this standard by one year and allow early adoption, but not before the original effective date of January 1, 2017. We are currently evaluating the impact that this new standard will have on our consolidated financial statements. In April 2015, a new accounting standard was issued that amends the presentation for debt issuance costs. Upon adoption of the standard, such costs shall be presented on our consolidated balance sheets as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability and not as a deferred charge presented in Other assets on our consolidated balance sheets. This new standard will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning on January 1, 2016, and is required to be retrospectively adopted. Adoption of this new standard is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated balance sheets or related disclosures.

Summary of significant accounting policies

Business

Amgen Inc. (including its subsidiaries, referred to as “Amgen,” “the Company,” “we,” “our” or “us”) is a global biotechnology pioneer that discovers, develops, manufactures and delivers innovative human therapeutics. We operate in one business segment: human therapeutics.

Basis of presentation

The financial information for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, is unaudited but includes all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, unless otherwise indicated), which Amgen considers necessary for a fair presentation of its condensed consolidated results of operations for those periods. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for the full fiscal year.

The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, and with our condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto contained in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2015.

Principles of consolidation

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Amgen as well as its majority-owned subsidiaries. We do not have any significant interests in any variable interest entities. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of estimates

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

Property, plant and equipment, net

Property, plant and equipment is recorded at historical cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $7.3 billion and $7.0 billion as of June 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Recent accounting pronouncements

In May 2014, a new accounting standard was issued that amends the guidance for the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers to transfer goods and services. This new standard, as originally issued, would be effective for interim and annual periods beginning January 1, 2017, and would be required to be adopted using either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach, with early adoption not permitted. In July 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board voted to delay the required date of adoption of this standard by one year and allow early adoption, but not before the original effective date of January 1, 2017. We are currently evaluating the impact that this new standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, a new accounting standard was issued that amends the presentation for debt issuance costs. Upon adoption of the standard, such costs shall be presented on our consolidated balance sheets as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability and not as a deferred charge presented in Other assets on our consolidated balance sheets. This new standard will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning on January 1, 2016, and is required to be retrospectively adopted. Adoption of this new standard is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated balance sheets or related disclosures.