Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Segment Information
Net Sales to External Customers	$ 8,853	$ 8,076	$ 23,907	$ 23,590
Operating Earnings	1,495	1,198	2,925	3,143
Amortization of intangible assets	(510)	(484)	(1,624)	(1,453)
Earnings from continuing operations before taxes	$ 1,421	$ 1,103	$ 2,580	$ 2,837
Annual share-based awards recognized in first quarter (as a percent)	50.00%	50.00%	50.00%	50.00%
Established Pharmaceutical Products
Segment Information
Net Sales to External Customers	$ 1,099	$ 1,212	$ 3,156	$ 3,312
Nutritional Products
Segment Information
Net Sales to External Customers	1,924	1,874	5,711	5,541
Diagnostic Products
Segment Information
Net Sales to External Customers	2,640	1,909	6,460	5,655
Medical Devices
Segment Information
Net Sales to External Customers	3,170	3,065	8,530	9,035
Other
Segment Information
Net Sales to External Customers	20	16	50	47
Total Reportable Segments
Segment Information
Net Sales to External Customers	8,833	8,060	23,857	23,543
Operating Earnings	2,398	2,109	5,839	5,973
Total Reportable Segments | Established Pharmaceutical Products
Segment Information
Net Sales to External Customers	1,099	1,212	3,156	3,312
Operating Earnings	201	281	588	654
Total Reportable Segments | Nutritional Products
Segment Information
Net Sales to External Customers	1,924	1,874	5,711	5,541
Operating Earnings	394	414	1,327	1,241
Total Reportable Segments | Diagnostic Products
Segment Information
Net Sales to External Customers	2,640	1,909	6,460	5,655
Operating Earnings	875	456	1,802	1,356
Total Reportable Segments | Medical Devices
Segment Information
Net Sales to External Customers	3,170	3,065	8,530	9,035
Operating Earnings	928	958	2,122	2,722
Reconciling items
Segment Information
Corporate functions and benefit plan costs	(129)	(131)	(367)	(332)
Net interest expense	(127)	(143)	(373)	(437)
Share-based compensation	(100)	(94)	(448)	(434)
Amortization of intangible assets	(510)	(484)	(1,624)	(1,453)
Other, net	$ (111)	$ (154)	$ (447)	$ (480)