Segments of Business and Geographic Areas (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2014		Sep. 29, 2013		Sep. 28, 2014		Sep. 29, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Gain (Loss) on Sale of Assets/Businesses					$ 2,336		$ 55
Net gain on equity investment transactions					0		380
Research and Development in Process	0		178		22		242
Total Segment Operating Income	7,053		3,872		18,578		13,374
Percentage Change in Operating Income Loss Excluding Expenses Not Allocated to Segments	82.20%				38.90%
Percentage Change in Operating Income Loss	85.70%				40.40%
Less: Expense not allocated to segments	243	[1]	205	[1]	718	[1]	653	[1]
Earnings before provision for taxes on income	6,810		3,667		17,860		12,721
Consumer
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Gain (Loss) on Sale of Assets/Businesses					388		55
Litigation Expense	60				60
Total Segment Operating Income	407	[2]	467	[2]	1,588	[2]	1,525	[2]
Percentage Change in Operating Income Loss	(12.80%)				4.10%
Pharmaceutical
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Other Selling and Marketing Expense	220				220
Litigation Expense							206
Net gain on equity investment transactions							400
Research and Development in Process			178				178
Total Segment Operating Income	3,247	[3]	2,449	[3]	9,921	[3]	7,858	[3]
Percentage Change in Operating Income Loss	32.60%				26.30%
Medical Devices and Diagnostics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Gain (Loss) on Sale of Assets/Businesses	1,948				1,948
Litigation Expense	225		844		501		1,564
Integration transaction costs and currency related to a business acquisition	167		122		429		502
Product Liability Accrual, Period Expense	126		35		126		117
Research and Development in Process							64
Total Segment Operating Income	3,399	[4]	956	[4]	7,069	[4]	3,991	[4]
Percentage Change in Operating Income Loss	255.50%				77.10%
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Litigation Expense

[1] Amounts not allocated to segments include interest income/expense and general corporate income/expense.

[2] Includes litigation expense of $60 million recorded in the fiscal third quarter of 2014. Includes a gain of $388 million from the divestiture of the K-Y® brand and litigation expense of $60 million recorded in the fiscal nine months of 2014. Includes a gain on the sale of intangible and other assets of $55 million recorded in the fiscal nine months of 2013.

[3] Includes an additional year of the Branded Prescription Drug Fee of $220 million recorded in the fiscal third quarter of 2014. Includes in-process research and development charge of $178 million recorded in the fiscal third quarter of 2013. Includes an additional year of the Branded Prescription Drug Fee of $220 million recorded in the fiscal nine months of 2014. Includes litigation expense of $206 million, an in-process research and development charge of $178 million and a net gain of $400 million on equity investment transactions, primarily the sale of Elan American Depositary Shares, in the fiscal nine months of 2013.

[4] Includes a net gain of $1,948 million from the divestiture of the Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics business, Synthes integration/transaction costs of $167 million, litigation expense of $225 million and $126 million for costs associated with the DePuy ASRTM Hip program recorded in the fiscal third quarter of 2014. Includes Synthes integration/transaction costs of $122 million, litigation expense of $844 million and $35 million for costs associated with the DePuy ASRTM Hip program recorded in the fiscal third quarter of 2013. Includes a net gain of $1,948 million from the divestiture of the Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics business, Synthes integration/transaction costs of $429 million, litigation expense of $501 million and $126 million for costs associated with the DePuy ASRTM Hip program recorded in the fiscal nine months of 2014. Includes Synthes integration/transaction costs of $502 million, litigation expense of $1,564 million, an in-process research and development charge of $64 million and $117 million for costs associated with the DePuy ASRTM Hip program recorded in the fiscal nine months of 2013.