Segment and Geographic Area Information - Sales and Earnings (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales to External Customers	$ 40,109	$ 43,653	$ 43,075
Operating Earnings	6,478	8,362	8,425
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales to External Customers	40,095	43,642	43,023
Operating Earnings	10,278	12,831	13,422
Operating Segments | Established Pharmaceutical Products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales to External Customers	5,066	4,912	4,718
Operating Earnings	1,206	1,049	889
Operating Segments | Nutritional Products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales to External Customers	8,154	7,459	8,294
Operating Earnings	1,333	706	1,763
Operating Segments | Diagnostic Products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales to External Customers	9,988	16,469	15,526
Operating Earnings	2,433	6,640	6,237
Operating Segments | Medical Devices
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales to External Customers	16,887	14,802	14,485
Operating Earnings	5,306	4,436	4,533
Corporate, Non-Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales to External Customers	$ 14	$ 11	$ 52