Segments of Business and Geographic Areas (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013		Jul. 01, 2012		Jun. 30, 2013		Jul. 01, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Segment Operating Income	$ 5,020		$ 2,657		$ 9,502		$ 7,788
Percentage Change in Operating Income Loss Excluding Expenses Not Allocated to Segments	88.90%				22.00%
Percentage Change in Operating Income Loss	135.50%				27.90%
Less: Expense not allocated to segments	227	[1]	622	[1]	448	[1]	708	[1]
Earnings before provision for taxes on income	4,793		2,035		9,054		7,080
Consumer [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Segment Operating Income	511	[2]	267	[2]	1,058	[2]	729	[2]
Percentage Change in Operating Income Loss	91.40%				45.10%
Pharmaceutical [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Segment Operating Income	2,992	[3]	515	[3]	5,409	[3]	3,106	[3]
Percentage Change in Operating Income Loss	481.00%				74.10%
Medical Devices and Diagnostics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Segment Operating Income	$ 1,517	[4]	$ 1,875	[4]	$ 3,035	[4]	$ 3,953	[4]
Percentage Change in Operating Income Loss	(19.10%)				(23.20%)

[1] Amounts not allocated to segments include interest income/(expense), noncontrolling interests and general corporate income/expense. The first fiscal six months of 2013 includes litigation expense of $6 million. The fiscal second quarter and first fiscal six months of 2012 includes currency losses related to the Synthes acquisition of $382 million and $234 million, respectively, and litigation expense of $11 million recorded in the fiscal second quarter and the first fiscal six months of 2012.

[2] Includes a gain on the sale of intangible and other assets of $55 million recorded in the first fiscal six months of 2013. Includes intangible asset write-downs of $294 million recorded in the fiscal second quarter and the first fiscal six months of 2012.

[3] Includes litigation expense of $178 million recorded in the first fiscal six months of 2013 and a net gain of $420 million on equity investment transactions, primarily the sale of Elan American Depositary Shares in the fiscal second quarter and first fiscal six months of 2013. Includes litigation expense of $658 million, intangible asset write-downs of $499 million and in-process research and development charges of $429 million recorded in the fiscal second quarter and the first fiscal six months of 2012.

[4] Includes litigation expense of $375 million, Synthes integration/transaction costs of $122 million and $69 million for the ASRTM Hip program in the fiscal second quarter of 2013. Includes litigation expense of $720 million, Synthes integration/transaction costs of $380 million, an in-process research and development write-down of $64 million and $82 million for the ASRTM Hip program in the first fiscal six months of 2013. Includes Synthes integration/transaction costs of $192 million and $223 million recorded in the fiscal second quarter and first fiscal six months of 2012, respectively, and intangible asset write-downs of $146 million recorded in the fiscal second quarter and first fiscal six months of 2012.