Segment and Geographic Area Information - Sales and Earnings (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	$ 41,950	$ 40,109	$ 43,653
Cost of Products Sold	18,706	17,975	19,142
Research and development	(2,844)	(2,741)	(2,888)
Selling, general and administrative	(11,697)	(10,949)	(11,248)
Operating Earnings	6,825	6,478	8,362
Share-based compensation	(673)	(644)	(685)
Amortization of Intangible assets	$ (1,878)	$ (1,966)	$ (2,013)
Restructuring Incurred Cost Statement Of Income Or Comprehensive Income Extensible Enumeration Not Disclosed Flag	Other, net (c)	Other, net (c)	Other, net (c)
Earnings before Taxes	$ 7,013	$ 6,664	$ 8,306
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	41,934	40,095	43,642
Cost of Products Sold	(18,379)	(17,919)	(18,874)
Research and development	(2,587)	(2,437)	(2,482)
Selling, general and administrative	(10,004)	(9,461)	(9,456)
Operating Earnings	10,964	10,278	12,831
Operating Segments | Established Pharmaceuticals
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	5,194	5,066	4,912
Cost of Products Sold	(2,444)	(2,357)	(2,305)
Research and development	(176)	(173)	(186)
Selling, general and administrative	(1,341)	(1,330)	(1,372)
Operating Earnings	1,233	1,206	1,049
Operating Segments | Nutritionals
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	8,413	8,154	7,459
Cost of Products Sold	(4,532)	(4,495)	(4,314)
Research and development	(209)	(204)	(191)
Selling, general and administrative	(2,167)	(2,122)	(2,248)
Operating Earnings	1,505	1,333	706
Operating Segments | Diagnostics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	9,341	9,988	16,469
Cost of Products Sold	(4,995)	(5,264)	(7,287)
Research and development	(656)	(698)	(777)
Selling, general and administrative	(1,617)	(1,593)	(1,765)
Operating Earnings	2,073	2,433	6,640
Operating Segments | Medical Devices
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	18,986	16,887	14,802
Cost of Products Sold	(6,408)	(5,803)	(4,968)
Research and development	(1,546)	(1,362)	(1,328)
Selling, general and administrative	(4,879)	(4,416)	(4,070)
Operating Earnings	6,153	5,306	4,436
Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets in-process research and development project	39	100
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	16	14	11
Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Corporate functions and plan benefit costs	(422)	(308)	(509)
Net interest expense	(215)	(252)	(375)
Share-based compensation	(673)	(644)	(685)
Amortization of Intangible assets	(1,878)	(1,966)	(2,013)
Other, net	(763)	(444)	(943)
Restructuring charges	185	122	265
Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets in-process research and development project	$ 143	$ 100	111
Reconciling Items | Nutritionals
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Voluntary recall charges			$ 176