Segments of Business and Geographic Areas (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 29, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Segment Operating Income	$ 3,872		$ 3,825		$ 13,374		$ 11,613
Percentage Change in Operating Income Loss Excluding Expenses Not Allocated to Segments	1.20%				15.20%
Percentage Change in Operating Income Loss	2.00%				19.20%
Less: Expense not allocated to segments	205	[1]	230	[1]	653	[1]	938	[1]
Earnings before provision for taxes on income	3,667		3,595		12,721		10,675
Consumer [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Segment Operating Income	467	[2]	510	[2]	1,525	[2]	1,239	[2]
Percentage Change in Operating Income Loss	(8.40%)				23.10%
Pharmaceutical [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Segment Operating Income	2,449	[3]	1,388	[3]	7,858	[3]	4,494	[3]
Percentage Change in Operating Income Loss	76.40%				74.90%
Medical Devices and Diagnostics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Segment Operating Income	$ 956	[4]	$ 1,927	[4]	$ 3,991	[4]	$ 5,880	[4]
Percentage Change in Operating Income Loss	(50.40%)				(32.10%)

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

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

[3] Includes in-process research and development charges of $178 million and litigation expense of $28 million recorded in the fiscal third quarter of 2013. Includes litigation expense of $206 million, in-process research and development charges of $178 million and a net gain of $400 million on equity investment transactions, primarily the sale of Elan American Depositary Shares recorded in the fiscal nine months of 2013. Includes in-process research and development charges of $679 million recorded in the fiscal third quarter of 2012. Includes in-process research and development charges of $1,108 million, litigation expense of $658 million and intangible asset write-downs of $499 million recorded in the fiscal nine months of 2012.

[4] Includes litigation expense of $844 million, Synthes integration/transaction costs of $122 million and $35 million for the ASR™ Hip program recorded in the fiscal third quarter of 2013. Includes litigation expense of $1,564 million, Synthes integration/transaction costs of $502 million, in-process research and development charges of $64 million and $117 million for the ASR™ Hip program in the fiscal nine months of 2013. Includes Synthes integration/transaction costs of $165 million, litigation expense of $89 million and $27 million for the ASR™ Hip program recorded in the fiscal third quarter of 2012. Includes Synthes integration/transaction costs of $388 million, intangible asset write-downs of $146 million, litigation expense of $89 million and $27 million for the ASR™ Hip program recorded in the fiscal nine months of 2012.