Goodwill and other intangible assets - Identifiable Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Finite-lived intangible assets:
Gross carrying amounts	$ 31,991	$ 18,790
Accumulated amortization	(12,632)	(11,402)
Other intangible assets, net	19,359	7,388
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Identifiable intangible assets	32,045	18,845
Accumulated amortization	(12,632)	(11,402)
Identifiable intangible assets, net	19,413	7,443
IPR&D [Member]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	54	55
Developed Technology Rights
Finite-lived intangible assets:
Gross carrying amounts	25,575	12,573
Accumulated amortization	(8,322)	(7,479)
Other intangible assets, net	17,253	5,094
Licensing rights
Finite-lived intangible assets:
Gross carrying amounts	3,761	3,772
Accumulated amortization	(2,398)	(2,032)
Other intangible assets, net	1,363	1,740
Marketing-related rights [Member]
Finite-lived intangible assets:
Gross carrying amounts	1,382	1,297
Accumulated amortization	(965)	(1,019)
Other intangible assets, net	417	278
R&D technology rights [Member]
Finite-lived intangible assets:
Gross carrying amounts	1,273	1,148
Accumulated amortization	(947)	(872)
Other intangible assets, net	$ 326	$ 276