Segments of Business and Geographic Areas - Sales by Segment of Business (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2019	Sep. 29, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jul. 01, 2018	Apr. 01, 2018	Dec. 29, 2019	Dec. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs	$ 90	$ 107	$ 55	$ 67
Sales to Customers	20,747	20,729	20,562	20,021	$ 20,394	$ 20,348	$ 20,830	$ 20,009	$ 82,059	$ 81,581	$ 76,450
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									0.60%	6.70%
Consumer
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers	3,567	3,469	3,544	3,318	3,536	3,415	3,504	3,398	$ 13,898	$ 13,853	13,602
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									0.30%	1.80%
Pharmaceutical
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers	$ 10,548	$ 10,877	$ 10,529	$ 10,244	$ 10,190	$ 10,346	$ 10,354	$ 9,844	$ 42,198	$ 40,734	36,256
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									3.60%	12.40%
Pharmaceutical | Immunology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 13,950	$ 13,120	12,244
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									6.30%	7.20%
Pharmaceutical | Infectious Diseases
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 3,413	$ 3,304	3,154
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									3.30%	4.80%
Pharmaceutical | Neuroscience
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 6,328	$ 6,077	5,986
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									4.10%	1.50%
Pharmaceutical | Oncology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 10,692	$ 9,844	7,258
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									8.60%	35.60%
Pharmaceutical | Pulmonary Hypertension
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 2,623	$ 2,573	1,327
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									1.90%	93.90%
Pharmaceutical | Cardiovascular/Metabolism/Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 5,192	$ 5,816	6,287
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(10.70%)	(7.50%)
Medical Devices
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 25,963	$ 26,994	26,592
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(3.80%)	1.50%
Medical Devices | Diabetes Care
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 0	$ 1,009	1,615
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business										(37.50%)
Medical Devices | Diagnostics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 0	$ 0	1
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									0.00%
Medical Devices | Interventional Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 2,997	$ 2,646	2,296
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									13.30%	15.20%
Medical Devices | Orthopaedics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 8,839	$ 8,885	9,058
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(0.50%)	(1.90%)
Medical Devices | Surgery
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 9,501	$ 9,901	9,559
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(4.00%)	3.60%
Medical Devices | Vision
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 4,624	$ 4,553	4,063
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									1.60%	12.10%
Baby Care | Consumer
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 1,675	$ 1,858	1,916
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(9.90%)	(3.00%)
Beauty | Consumer
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 4,593	$ 4,382	4,200
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									4.80%	4.30%
Oral Care | Consumer
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 1,528	$ 1,555	1,531
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(1.70%)	1.60%
OTC | Consumer
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 4,444	$ 4,334	4,126
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									2.50%	5.00%
Women's Health | Consumer
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 986	$ 1,049	1,050
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(6.00%)	(0.10%)
Wound Care and Other | Consumer
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 671	$ 675	779
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(0.60%)	(13.40%)
Remicade | Pharmaceutical | Immunology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 4,380	$ 5,326	6,315
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(17.80%)	(15.70%)
Simponi/Simponi Aria | Pharmaceutical | Immunology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 2,188	$ 2,084	1,833
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									5.00%	13.70%
Stelara | Pharmaceutical | Immunology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 6,361	$ 5,156	4,011
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									23.40%	28.50%
Tremfya | Pharmaceutical | Immunology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 1,012	$ 544	63
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									85.90%
Other Immunology | Pharmaceutical | Immunology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 10	$ 10	22
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									4.50%	(54.50%)
EDURANT/rilpivirine | Pharmaceutical | Infectious Diseases
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 861	$ 816	714
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									5.60%	14.30%
PREZISTA/PREZCOBIX/REZOLSTA/SYMTUZA | Pharmaceutical | Infectious Diseases
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 2,110	$ 1,955	1,821
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									8.00%	7.40%
Other Infectious Diseases | Pharmaceutical | Infectious Diseases
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 441	$ 533	619
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(17.30%)	(13.90%)
CONCERTA/Methylphenidate | Pharmaceutical | Neuroscience
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 696	$ 663	791
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									4.90%	(16.20%)
INVEGA SUSTENNA/XEPLION/TRINZA/TREVICTA | Pharmaceutical | Neuroscience
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 3,330	$ 2,928	2,569
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									13.70%	14.00%
RISPERDAL CONSTA | Pharmaceutical | Neuroscience
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 688	$ 737	805
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(6.70%)	(8.40%)
OTHER NEUROSCIENCE | Pharmaceutical | Neuroscience
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 1,614	$ 1,749	1,821
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(7.70%)	(4.00%)
DARZALEX | Pharmaceutical | Oncology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 2,998	$ 2,025	1,242
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									48.00%	63.00%
IMBRUVICA | Pharmaceutical | Oncology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 3,411	$ 2,615	1,893
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									30.40%	38.10%
VELCADE | Pharmaceutical | Oncology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 751	$ 1,116	1,114
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(32.70%)	0.20%
ZYTIGA | Pharmaceutical | Oncology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 2,795	$ 3,498	2,505
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(20.10%)	39.60%
Other Oncology | Pharmaceutical | Oncology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 739	$ 590	504
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									25.00%	17.10%
OPSUMIT | Pharmaceutical | Pulmonary Hypertension
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 1,327	$ 1,215	573
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									9.20%
TRACLEER | Pharmaceutical | Pulmonary Hypertension
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 341	$ 546	403
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(37.50%)	35.50%
UPTRAVI | Pharmaceutical | Pulmonary Hypertension
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 819	$ 663	263
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									23.50%
Other | Pharmaceutical | Pulmonary Hypertension
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 135	$ 149	88
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(9.40%)	69.30%
Other | Pharmaceutical | Cardiovascular/Metabolism/Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 1,353	$ 1,470	1,704
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(8.00%)	(13.70%)
Xarelto | Pharmaceutical | Cardiovascular/Metabolism/Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 2,313	$ 2,477	2,500
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(6.60%)	(0.90%)
INVOKANA/INVOKAMET | Pharmaceutical | Cardiovascular/Metabolism/Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 735	$ 881	1,111
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(16.50%)	(20.70%)
PROCRIT/EPREX | Pharmaceutical | Cardiovascular/Metabolism/Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 790	$ 988	972
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(20.00%)	1.60%
HIPS | Medical Devices | Orthopaedics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 1,438	$ 1,418	1,394
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									1.40%	1.70%
KNEES | Medical Devices | Orthopaedics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 1,480	$ 1,502	1,523
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(1.40%)	(1.40%)
TRAUMA | Medical Devices | Orthopaedics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 2,720	$ 2,699	2,616
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									0.80%	3.20%
SPINE & OTHER | Medical Devices | Orthopaedics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 3,201	$ 3,266	3,525
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(2.00%)	(7.30%)
ADVANCED | Medical Devices | Surgery
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 4,095	$ 4,002	3,756
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									2.30%	6.50%
GENERAL | Medical Devices | Surgery
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 4,480	$ 4,557	4,463
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(1.70%)	2.10%
SPECIALTY | Medical Devices | Surgery
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 926	$ 1,342	1,340
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(31.00%)	0.10%
CONTACT LENSES/OTHER | Medical Devices | Vision
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 3,392	$ 3,302	3,036
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									2.70%	8.80%
SURGICAL | Medical Devices | Vision
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 1,232	$ 1,251	1,027
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(1.60%)	21.80%
United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 42,097	$ 41,884	39,863
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									0.50%	5.10%
United States | Consumer
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 5,839	$ 5,761	5,565
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									1.40%	3.50%
United States | Pharmaceutical
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 23,874	$ 23,286	21,474
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									2.50%	8.40%
United States | Pharmaceutical | Immunology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 9,641	$ 9,073	8,871
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									6.30%	2.30%
United States | Pharmaceutical | Infectious Diseases
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 1,597	$ 1,378	1,358
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									15.90%	1.50%
United States | Pharmaceutical | Neuroscience
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 2,919	$ 2,574	2,630
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									13.40%	(2.10%)
United States | Pharmaceutical | Oncology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 4,299	$ 4,331	3,098
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(0.70%)	39.80%
United States | Pharmaceutical | Pulmonary Hypertension
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 1,684	$ 1,651	773
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									2.00%
United States | Pharmaceutical | Cardiovascular/Metabolism/Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 3,734	$ 4,279	4,744
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(12.70%)	(9.80%)
United States | Medical Devices
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 12,384	$ 12,837	12,824
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(3.50%)	0.10%
United States | Medical Devices | Diabetes Care
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 0	$ 371	612
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business										(39.40%)
United States | Medical Devices | Diagnostics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 0	$ 0	0
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									0.00%	0.00%
United States | Medical Devices | Interventional Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 1,443	$ 1,283	1,148
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									12.50%	11.80%
United States | Medical Devices | Orthopaedics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 5,319	$ 5,281	5,404
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									0.70%	(2.30%)
United States | Medical Devices | Surgery
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 3,828	$ 4,125	4,085
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(7.20%)	1.00%
United States | Medical Devices | Vision
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 1,794	$ 1,777	1,575
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									0.90%	12.80%
United States | Baby Care | Consumer
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 362	$ 422	449
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(14.20%)	(6.00%)
United States | Beauty | Consumer
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 2,392	$ 2,403	2,335
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(0.40%)	2.90%
United States | Oral Care | Consumer
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 621	$ 637	616
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(2.50%)	3.40%
United States | OTC | Consumer
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 2,010	$ 1,850	1,716
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									8.60%	7.80%
United States | Women's Health | Consumer
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 12	$ 13	12
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(5.50%)	8.30%
United States | Wound Care and Other | Consumer
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 441	$ 436	437
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									1.20%	(0.20%)
United States | Remicade | Pharmaceutical | Immunology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 3,079	$ 3,664	4,525
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(16.00%)	(19.00%)
United States | Simponi/Simponi Aria | Pharmaceutical | Immunology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 1,159	$ 1,051	954
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									10.20%	10.20%
United States | Stelara | Pharmaceutical | Immunology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 4,346	$ 3,469	2,767
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									25.30%	25.40%
United States | Tremfya | Pharmaceutical | Immunology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 764	$ 453	62
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									68.50%
United States | Other Immunology | Pharmaceutical | Immunology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 0	$ 0	0
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									0.00%	0.00%
United States | EDURANT/rilpivirine | Pharmaceutical | Infectious Diseases
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 50	$ 58	58
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(13.70%)	0.00%
United States | PREZISTA/PREZCOBIX/REZOLSTA/SYMTUZA | Pharmaceutical | Infectious Diseases
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 1,422	$ 1,169	1,109
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									21.60%	5.40%
United States | Other Infectious Diseases | Pharmaceutical | Infectious Diseases
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 126	$ 151	191
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(16.50%)	(20.90%)
United States | CONCERTA/Methylphenidate | Pharmaceutical | Neuroscience
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 233	$ 229	384
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									1.70%	(40.40%)
United States | INVEGA SUSTENNA/XEPLION/TRINZA/TREVICTA | Pharmaceutical | Neuroscience
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 2,107	$ 1,791	1,590
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									17.60%	12.60%
United States | RISPERDAL CONSTA | Pharmaceutical | Neuroscience
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 314	$ 315	360
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(0.30%)	(12.50%)
United States | OTHER NEUROSCIENCE | Pharmaceutical | Neuroscience
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 266	$ 239	296
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									11.40%	(19.30%)
United States | DARZALEX | Pharmaceutical | Oncology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 1,567	$ 1,203	884
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									30.30%	36.10%
United States | IMBRUVICA | Pharmaceutical | Oncology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 1,555	$ 1,129	841
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									37.70%	34.20%
United States | VELCADE | Pharmaceutical | Oncology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 0	$ 0	0
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									0.00%	0.00%
United States | ZYTIGA | Pharmaceutical | Oncology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 810	$ 1,771	1,228
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(54.30%)	44.20%
United States | Other Oncology | Pharmaceutical | Oncology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 367	$ 228	145
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									61.00%	57.20%
United States | OPSUMIT | Pharmaceutical | Pulmonary Hypertension
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 766	$ 700	320
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									9.40%
United States | TRACLEER | Pharmaceutical | Pulmonary Hypertension
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 131	$ 268	161
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(51.10%)	66.50%
United States | UPTRAVI | Pharmaceutical | Pulmonary Hypertension
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 714	$ 598	238
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									19.30%
United States | Other | Pharmaceutical | Pulmonary Hypertension
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 74	$ 85	54
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(13.70%)	57.40%
United States | Other | Pharmaceutical | Cardiovascular/Metabolism/Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 380	$ 417	625
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(9.10%)	(33.30%)
United States | Xarelto | Pharmaceutical | Cardiovascular/Metabolism/Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 2,313	$ 2,477	2,500
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(6.60%)	(0.90%)
United States | INVOKANA/INVOKAMET | Pharmaceutical | Cardiovascular/Metabolism/Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 536	$ 711	944
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(24.60%)	(24.70%)
United States | PROCRIT/EPREX | Pharmaceutical | Cardiovascular/Metabolism/Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 505	$ 674	675
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(25.10%)	(0.10%)
United States | HIPS | Medical Devices | Orthopaedics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 863	$ 841	827
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									2.60%	1.70%
United States | KNEES | Medical Devices | Orthopaedics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 889	$ 911	948
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(2.40%)	(3.90%)
United States | TRAUMA | Medical Devices | Orthopaedics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 1,652	$ 1,599	1,576
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									3.30%	1.50%
United States | SPINE & OTHER | Medical Devices | Orthopaedics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 1,915	$ 1,930	2,053
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(0.80%)	(6.00%)
United States | ADVANCED | Medical Devices | Surgery
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 1,637	$ 1,657	1,620
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(1.20%)	2.30%
United States | GENERAL | Medical Devices | Surgery
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 1,762	$ 1,751	1,728
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									0.60%	1.30%
United States | SPECIALTY | Medical Devices | Surgery
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 430	$ 717	737
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(40.10%)	(2.70%)
United States | CONTACT LENSES/OTHER | Medical Devices | Vision
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 1,304	$ 1,237	1,122
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									5.40%	10.20%
United States | SURGICAL | Medical Devices | Vision
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 490	$ 540	453
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(9.40%)	19.20%
Non-US
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 39,962	$ 39,697	36,587
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									0.70%	8.50%
Non-US | Consumer
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 8,059	$ 8,092	8,037
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(0.40%)	0.70%
Non-US | Pharmaceutical
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 18,324	$ 17,448	14,782
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									5.00%	18.00%
Non-US | Pharmaceutical | Immunology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 4,309	$ 4,047	3,373
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									6.50%	20.00%
Non-US | Pharmaceutical | Infectious Diseases
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 1,815	$ 1,926	1,796
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(5.70%)	7.20%
Non-US | Pharmaceutical | Neuroscience
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 3,409	$ 3,503	3,356
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(2.70%)	4.40%
Non-US | Pharmaceutical | Oncology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 6,393	$ 5,513	4,160
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									16.00%	32.50%
Non-US | Pharmaceutical | Pulmonary Hypertension
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 939	$ 922	554
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									1.90%	66.40%
Non-US | Pharmaceutical | Cardiovascular/Metabolism/Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 1,458	$ 1,537	1,543
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(5.20%)	(0.40%)
Non-US | Medical Devices
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 13,579	$ 14,157	13,768
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(4.10%)	2.80%
Non-US | Medical Devices | Diabetes Care
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 0	$ 638	1,003
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business										(36.40%)
Non-US | Medical Devices | Diagnostics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 0	$ 0	1
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									0.00%
Non-US | Medical Devices | Interventional Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 1,554	$ 1,363	1,148
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									14.00%	18.70%
Non-US | Medical Devices | Orthopaedics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 3,520	$ 3,604	3,654
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(2.30%)	(1.40%)
Non-US | Medical Devices | Surgery
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 5,673	$ 5,776	5,474
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(1.80%)	5.50%
Non-US | Medical Devices | Vision
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 2,830	$ 2,776	2,488
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									2.00%	11.60%
Non-US | Baby Care | Consumer
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 1,313	$ 1,436	1,467
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(8.60%)	(2.10%)
Non-US | Beauty | Consumer
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 2,201	$ 1,979	1,865
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									11.20%	6.10%
Non-US | Oral Care | Consumer
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 906	$ 918	915
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(1.20%)	0.30%
Non-US | OTC | Consumer
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 2,434	$ 2,484	2,410
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(2.00%)	3.10%
Non-US | Women's Health | Consumer
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 974	$ 1,036	1,038
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(6.00%)	(0.20%)
Non-US | Wound Care and Other | Consumer
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 230	$ 239	342
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(3.90%)	(30.10%)
Non-US | Remicade | Pharmaceutical | Immunology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 1,007	$ 1,226	1,227
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(17.80%)	(0.10%)
Non-US | Simponi/Simponi Aria | Pharmaceutical | Immunology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 1,029	$ 1,033	879
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(0.40%)	17.50%
Non-US | Stelara | Pharmaceutical | Immunology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 2,015	$ 1,687	1,244
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									19.40%	35.60%
Non-US | Tremfya | Pharmaceutical | Immunology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 248	$ 91	1
Non-US | Other Immunology | Pharmaceutical | Immunology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 10	$ 10	22
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									4.50%	(54.50%)
Non-US | EDURANT/rilpivirine | Pharmaceutical | Infectious Diseases
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 812	$ 758	656
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									7.10%	15.50%
Non-US | PREZISTA/PREZCOBIX/REZOLSTA/SYMTUZA | Pharmaceutical | Infectious Diseases
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 689	$ 786	712
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(12.30%)	10.40%
Non-US | Other Infectious Diseases | Pharmaceutical | Infectious Diseases
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 315	$ 382	428
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(17.60%)	(10.70%)
Non-US | CONCERTA/Methylphenidate | Pharmaceutical | Neuroscience
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 463	$ 434	407
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									6.60%	6.60%
Non-US | INVEGA SUSTENNA/XEPLION/TRINZA/TREVICTA | Pharmaceutical | Neuroscience
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 1,224	$ 1,137	979
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									7.70%	16.10%
Non-US | RISPERDAL CONSTA | Pharmaceutical | Neuroscience
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 374	$ 422	445
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(11.40%)	(5.20%)
Non-US | OTHER NEUROSCIENCE | Pharmaceutical | Neuroscience
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 1,349	$ 1,510	1,525
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(10.70%)	(1.00%)
Non-US | DARZALEX | Pharmaceutical | Oncology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 1,430	$ 822	358
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									73.90%
Non-US | IMBRUVICA | Pharmaceutical | Oncology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 1,856	$ 1,486	1,052
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									24.90%	41.30%
Non-US | VELCADE | Pharmaceutical | Oncology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 751	$ 1,116	1,114
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(32.70%)	0.20%
Non-US | ZYTIGA | Pharmaceutical | Oncology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 1,985	$ 1,727	1,277
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									15.00%	35.20%
Non-US | Other Oncology | Pharmaceutical | Oncology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 371	$ 362	359
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									2.40%	0.80%
Non-US | OPSUMIT | Pharmaceutical | Pulmonary Hypertension
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 562	$ 515	253
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									9.00%
Non-US | TRACLEER | Pharmaceutical | Pulmonary Hypertension
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 210	$ 278	242
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(24.30%)	14.90%
Non-US | UPTRAVI | Pharmaceutical | Pulmonary Hypertension
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 105	$ 65	25
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									62.40%
Non-US | Other | Pharmaceutical | Pulmonary Hypertension
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 62	$ 64	34
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(3.70%)	88.20%
Non-US | Other | Pharmaceutical | Cardiovascular/Metabolism/Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 974	$ 1,053	1,079
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(7.60%)	(2.40%)
Non-US | Xarelto | Pharmaceutical | Cardiovascular/Metabolism/Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 0	$ 0	0
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									0.00%	0.00%
Non-US | INVOKANA/INVOKAMET | Pharmaceutical | Cardiovascular/Metabolism/Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 199	$ 170	167
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									17.30%	1.80%
Non-US | PROCRIT/EPREX | Pharmaceutical | Cardiovascular/Metabolism/Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 285	$ 314	297
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(9.20%)	5.70%
Non-US | HIPS | Medical Devices | Orthopaedics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 575	$ 577	567
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(0.30%)	1.80%
Non-US | KNEES | Medical Devices | Orthopaedics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 591	$ 591	575
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									0.00%	2.80%
Non-US | TRAUMA | Medical Devices | Orthopaedics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 1,068	$ 1,100	1,040
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(2.90%)	5.80%
Non-US | SPINE & OTHER | Medical Devices | Orthopaedics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 1,286	$ 1,336	1,472
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(3.80%)	(9.20%)
Non-US | ADVANCED | Medical Devices | Surgery
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 2,458	$ 2,345	2,136
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									4.80%	9.80%
Non-US | GENERAL | Medical Devices | Surgery
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 2,718	$ 2,806	2,735
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(3.10%)	2.60%
Non-US | SPECIALTY | Medical Devices | Surgery
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 497	$ 625	603
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(20.50%)	3.60%
Non-US | CONTACT LENSES/OTHER | Medical Devices | Vision
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 2,088	$ 2,065	1,914
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									1.10%	7.90%
Non-US | SURGICAL | Medical Devices | Vision
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 742	$ 711	574
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									4.40%	23.90%
UNITED STATES Exports | Remicade | Pharmaceutical | Immunology
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to Customers									$ 294	$ 436	$ 563
Percentage Change In Sales By Segment Of Business									(32.70%)	(22.60%)
Auris Health | Pharmaceutical
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs									$ 100
Pending Litigation
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Loss contingency, estimate of possible loss												$ 4,000