Segment and Geographic Area Information - Sales and Earnings (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Information
Net Sales to External Customers	$ 8,314	$ 8,076	$ 7,979	$ 7,535	$ 7,765	$ 7,656	$ 7,767	$ 7,390	$ 31,904	$ 30,578	$ 27,390
Operating Earnings									4,532	3,650	1,564
Established Pharmaceutical Products
Segment Information
Net Sales to External Customers									4,486	4,422	4,287
Nutritional Products
Segment Information
Net Sales to External Customers									7,409	7,229	6,925
Diagnostic Products
Segment Information
Net Sales to External Customers									7,713	7,495	5,616
Medical Devices
Segment Information
Net Sales to External Customers									12,239	11,370	10,325
Other
Segment Information
Net Sales to External Customers									57	62	237
Total Reportable Segments
Segment Information
Net Sales to External Customers									31,847	30,516	27,153
Operating Earnings									8,290	7,914	6,916
Total Reportable Segments \| Established Pharmaceutical Products
Segment Information
Net Sales to External Customers									4,486	4,422	4,287
Operating Earnings									904	894	848
Total Reportable Segments \| Nutritional Products
Segment Information
Net Sales to External Customers									7,409	7,229	6,925
Operating Earnings									1,705	1,652	1,589
Total Reportable Segments \| Diagnostic Products
Segment Information
Net Sales to External Customers									7,713	7,495	5,616
Operating Earnings									1,912	1,868	1,468
Total Reportable Segments \| Medical Devices
Segment Information
Net Sales to External Customers									12,239	11,370	10,325
Operating Earnings									$ 3,769	$ 3,500	$ 3,011