Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 10,163		$ 9,968		$ 10,719
Cost of sales	6,053		5,822		6,138
Gross margin	4,110	[1]	4,146	[2]	4,581
Marketing and administrative expenses	2,739		3,094		3,315
Research and development expenses	647		603		610
Operating income	724		449		656
Net interest expense	66		126		145
Other (income) expense, net	(4,296)		(105)		21
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	4,954		428		490
Income tax (benefit) expense	(12)		35		33
Income from continuing operations	4,966	[1]	393	[2]	457
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax	(1)		575		2,040
Net income	$ 4,965	[1]	$ 968	[2]	$ 2,497
Income from continuing operations per common share
Basic	$ 9.10	[1]	$ 0.72	[2]	$ 0.84
Diluted	9.01	[1]	0.72	[2]	0.83
(Loss) income from discontinued operations per common share
Basic	(0.01)		1.06		3.77
Diluted	0.00		1.04		3.73
Net income per common share
Basic	9.09	[1]	1.78	[2]	4.61
Diluted	$ 9.01	[1]	$ 1.76	[2]	$ 4.56
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding
Basic	546		545		542
Diluted	551		549		547

[1] The first quarter of 2016 included benefits of $3.1 billion related to business optimization, separation-related costs, Retained Stake transactions, a loss on debt extinguishment, and product-related items. The second quarter of 2016 included benefits of $1.0 billion related to business optimization, separation-related costs, Retained Stake transactions, and asset impairment. The third quarter of 2016 included charges of $155 million related to business optimization, separation-related costs, a loss on debt extinguishment, and a tax matter. The fourth quarter of 2016 included charges of $47 million related to business optimization, separation-related costs, and reserve items and adjustments.

[2] The first quarter of 2015 included charges of $29 million related to business optimization, Gambro integration costs, and separation-related costs. The second quarter of 2015 included benefits of $5 million related to business optimization, Gambro integration costs, separation-related costs, and tax and legal reserves. The third quarter of 2015 included charges of $191 million related to business optimization, Gambro integration costs, separation-related costs, a loss on debt extinguishment, and product-related items. The fourth quarter of 2015 included $17 million related to business optimization, Gambro integration costs, product-related items, separation-related costs, and reserve items and adjustments.