Segment Information - Sales and Earnings (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2025	Mar. 31, 2024
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 10,358	$ 9,964
Cost of Products Sold	(4,468)	(4,463)
Research and Development	(716)	(684)
Selling, General and Administrative	(3,061)	(2,959)
Operating Earnings	1,693	1,386
Amortization of Intangible assets	$ (420)	$ (472)
Restructuring Incurred Cost Statement Of Income Or Comprehensive Income Extensible Enumeration Not Disclosed Flag	Other, net (b)	Other, net (b)
Earnings before Taxes	$ 1,778	$ 1,436
Annual share-based awards recognized in first quarter (as a percent)	45.00%	45.00%
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 10,355	$ 9,961
Cost of Products Sold	(4,443)	(4,407)
Research and Development	(646)	(616)
Selling, General and Administrative	(2,606)	(2,460)
Operating Earnings	2,660	2,478
Operating Segments | Established Pharmaceuticals
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1,260	1,226
Cost of Products Sold	(569)	(584)
Research and Development	(42)	(41)
Selling, General and Administrative	(351)	(334)
Operating Earnings	298	267
Operating Segments | Nutritionals
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	2,146	2,068
Cost of Products Sold	(1,124)	(1,088)
Research and Development	(52)	(52)
Selling, General and Administrative	(576)	(551)
Operating Earnings	394	377
Operating Segments | Diagnostics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	2,054	2,214
Cost of Products Sold	(1,152)	(1,188)
Research and Development	(151)	(155)
Selling, General and Administrative	(392)	(397)
Operating Earnings	359	474
Operating Segments | Medical Devices
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	4,895	4,453
Cost of Products Sold	(1,598)	(1,547)
Research and Development	(401)	(368)
Selling, General and Administrative	(1,287)	(1,178)
Operating Earnings	1,609	1,360
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	3	3
Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Corporate functions and plan benefit costs	(28)	(66)
Net interest expense	(49)	(61)
Share-based compensation (a)	(289)	(304)
Amortization of Intangible assets	(420)	(472)
Other, net	$ (96)	$ (139)