v3.20.4
Identifiable Intangible Assets and Goodwill - Finite-lived and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets - Footnotes (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 26, 2020
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Line Items]        
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross carrying amount $ 76,759 $ 75,058    
Intangible asset impairments 1,691 2,800 $ 3,100  
IPR&D [Member]        
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Line Items]        
Intangible asset impairments [1] 900      
IPR&D [Member] | Braftovi [Member]        
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Line Items]        
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, period increase (decrease) (600)      
Developed Technology Rights [Member]        
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Line Items]        
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross carrying amount [2] 73,545 72,449    
Intangible asset impairments [1] 791      
Developed Technology Rights [Member] | Myovant [Member] | Collaborative Arrangement [Member]        
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Line Items]        
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross carrying amount       $ 499
Developed Technology Rights [Member] | Braftovi [Member]        
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Line Items]        
Finite-lived intangible assets period increase (decrease) 600      
Anacor [Member] | Developed Technology Rights [Member] | Eucrisa [Member]        
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Line Items]        
Intangible asset impairments 528 $ 2,600    
Hospira [Member] | Developed Technology Rights [Member] | Generic Sterile Injectable Product [Member]        
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Line Items]        
Intangible asset impairments 263   2,600  
Hospira [Member] | Licensing Agreements [Member] | Generic Sterile Injectable Product [Member]        
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Line Items]        
Intangible asset impairments     $ 242  
Array [Member]        
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Line Items]        
Intangible asset measurement period adjustments (900)      
Array [Member] | IPR&D [Member]        
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Line Items]        
Intangible asset measurement period adjustments (1,200)      
Intangible asset impairments 900      
Array [Member] | Licensing Agreements and Other [Member]        
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Line Items]        
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, period increase (decrease) (600)      
Array [Member] | Developed Technology Rights [Member]        
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Line Items]        
Intangible asset measurement period adjustments 200      
Array [Member] | Licensing Agreements [Member]        
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Line Items]        
Finite-lived intangible assets period increase (decrease) $ 600      
[1] Reflects intangible assets written down to fair value in 2020. Fair value was determined using the income approach, specifically the multi-period excess earnings method, also known as the discounted cash flow method. We started with a forecast of all the expected net cash flows for the asset and then applied an asset-specific discount rate to arrive at a net present value amount. Some of the more significant estimates and assumptions inherent in this approach include: the amount and timing of the projected net cash flows, which includes the expected impact of competitive, legal and/or regulatory forces on the product; the discount rate, which seeks to reflect the various risks inherent in the projected cash flows; and the tax rate, which seeks to incorporate the geographic diversity of the projected cash flows.
[2] The increase in the gross carrying amount primarily reflects the transfer of $600 million from IPR&D to Developed technology rights to reflect the approval of Braftovi in combination with Erbitux® (cetuximab), for the treatment of BRAFV600E-mutant mCRC after prior therapy, as well as a $499 million capitalized portion of an upfront payment to Myovant (see Note 2E) and an increase from a $200 million measurement period adjustment related to the acquisition of Array (see Note 2A), partially offset by a $528 million impairment of Eucrisa (see Note 4) and a $263 million impairment of certain generic sterile injectables acquired in connection with our acquisition of Hospira (see Note 4).