Segment information (Details 3) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues Earned from Major Customers [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 18,676	$ 17,265	$ 15,582
AmerisourceBergen Corporation [Member]
Revenues Earned from Major Customers [Abstract]
Revenues	8,527	7,556	7,574
Gross product sales to major customer (as defined) as a percentage of total gross revenues	35.00%	34.00%	36.00%
Gross product sales to major customer (as defined) as a percentage of U.S. gross product sales	44.00%	43.00%	45.00%
McKesson Corporation [Member]
Revenues Earned from Major Customers [Abstract]
Revenues	6,440	5,898	4,591
Gross product sales to major customer (as defined) as a percentage of total gross revenues	27.00%	27.00%	22.00%
Gross product sales to major customer (as defined) as a percentage of U.S. gross product sales	32.00%	32.00%	27.00%
Cardinal Health, Inc. [Member]
Revenues Earned from Major Customers [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 3,209	$ 3,245	$ 3,021
Gross product sales to major customer (as defined) as a percentage of total gross revenues	13.00%	15.00%	14.00%
Gross product sales to major customer (as defined) as a percentage of U.S. gross product sales	17.00%	19.00%	18.00%