Contingencies and commitments (Details) $ in Millions					1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 04, 2019 patent	Aug. 22, 2019 patent	Aug. 09, 2019 lawsuit	Jul. 31, 2019 lawsuit	Sep. 30, 2019 patent	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)
Humira Biosimilar Antitrust Class Actions [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of lawsuits | lawsuit			12
Sensipar Antitrust Class Actions [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of lawsuits | lawsuit				4
Hospira [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Damages awarded | $						$ 70
Kanjinti Genetech Litigation [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of patents allegedly infringed upon | patent	4
Mvasi Patent Litigation, Genentech, Inc. (Genentech) and the City of Hope [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of patents allegedly infringed upon | patent		1			6