Becton, Dickinson and (BDX) 10-K 25 Nov 20 2020 FY Annual report Financial data

Cover Page

Cover Page - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Oct. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document period end date	Sep. 30, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-4802
Entity registrant name	BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY
Entity central index key	0000010795
Current fiscal year end date	--09-30
Document fiscal year focus	2020
Document fiscal period focus	FY
Amendment flag	false
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	NJ
Entity Tax Identification Number	22-0760120
Entity Address, Address Line One	1 Becton Drive,
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	07417-1880
Entity Address, City or Town	Franklin Lakes,
Entity Address, State or Province	NJ
City Area Code	201
Local Phone Number	847-6800
Entity well-known seasoned issuer	Yes
Entity voluntary filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity current reporting status	Yes
Entity filer category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity small business	false
Entity emerging growth company	false
Entity shell company	false
Entity public float			$ 62,360,106,701
Entity common stock, shares outstanding (shares)		290,031,363
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	true
Common Stock  Issued at Par Value | NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC. [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock, par value $1.00
Trading Symbol	BDX
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Depositary shares [Member] | NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC. [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/20th interest in a share of 6.00% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series B
Trading Symbol	BDXB
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
1.000% Notes due December 15, 2022 | NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC. [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	1.000% Notes due December 15, 2022
Trading Symbol	BDX22A
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
1.900% Notes due December 15, 2026 | NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC. [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	1.900% Notes due December 15, 2026
Trading Symbol	BDX26
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
1.401% Notes due May 24, 2023 | NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC. [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	1.401% Notes due May 24, 2023
Trading Symbol	BDX23A
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Notes 3.020% due May 24, 2025 [Member] | NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC. [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	3.020% Notes due May 24, 2025
Trading Symbol	BDX25
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
0.174% Notes due June 4, 2021 | NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC. [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	0.174% Notes due June 4, 2021
Trading Symbol	BDX/21
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
0.632% Notes due June 4, 2023 | NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC. [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	0.632% Notes due June 4, 2023
Trading Symbol	BDX/23A
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
1.208% Notes due June 4, 2026 | NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC. [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	1.208% Notes due June 4, 2026
Trading Symbol	BDX/26A
Security Exchange Name	NYSE

Consolidated Statements of Inco

Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 17,117	$ 17,290	$ 15,983
Cost of products sold	9,540	9,002	8,714
Selling and administrative expense	4,325	4,332	4,016
Research and development expense	1,096	1,062	1,004
Acquisitions and other restructurings	309	480	740
Other operating expense, net	363	654	0
Total Operating Costs and Expenses	15,633	15,530	14,474
Operating Income	1,484	1,760	1,509
Interest expense	(528)	(639)	(706)
Interest income	7	12	65
Other income, net	23	43	305
Income Before Income Taxes	985	1,176	1,173
Income tax provision (benefit)	111	(57)	862
Net Income	874	1,233	311
Preferred stock dividends	(107)	(152)	(152)
Net income applicable to common shareholders	$ 767	$ 1,082	$ 159
Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share, Basic	$ 2.75	$ 4.01	$ 0.62
Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Abstract]
Diluted Earnings per Share (USD per share)	$ 2.71	$ 3.94	$ 0.60

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Income	$ 874	$ 1,233	$ 311
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Net of Tax
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(161)	(93)	(161)
Defined benefit pension and postretirement plans	(35)	(275)	(26)
Cash flow hedges	(67)	(6)	1
Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax	(265)	(374)	(186)
Comprehensive Income	$ 609	$ 859	$ 125

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Current Assets
Cash and equivalents	$ 2,825	$ 536
Restricted cash	92	54
Short-term investments	20	30
Trade receivables, net	2,398	2,345
Inventories	2,743	2,579
Prepaid expenses and other	891	1,119
Total Current Assets	8,969	6,664
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	5,923	5,659
Goodwill	23,620	23,376
Developed Technology, Net	10,146	11,054
Customer Relationships, Net	3,107	3,424
Other Intangibles, Net	560	500
Other Assets	1,687	1,088
Total Assets	54,012	51,765
Current Liabilities
Short-term debt	707	1,309
Accounts payable	1,355	1,092
Accrued expenses	2,638	2,127
Salaries, wages and related items	993	987
Income taxes	144	140
Total Current Liabilities	5,836	5,655
Long-Term Debt	17,224	18,081
Long-Term Employee Benefit Obligations	1,435	1,272
Deferred Income Taxes and Other Liabilities	5,753	5,676
Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 5)
Shareholders’ Equity
Preferred stock	2	2
Common stock — $1 par value: authorized — 640,000,000 shares; issued — 364,639,901 shares in 2020 and 346,687,160 shares in 2019.	365	347
Capital in excess of par value	19,270	16,270
Retained earnings	12,791	12,913
Deferred compensation	23	23
Common stock in treasury — at cost — 74,622,657 shares in 2020 and 76,259,835 shares in 2019.	(6,138)	(6,190)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(2,548)	(2,283)
Total Shareholders’ Equity	23,765	21,081
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$ 54,012	$ 51,765
Common stock, par value (USD per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, shares authorized (shares)	640,000,000	640,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (shares)	364,639,901	346,687,160

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock, par value (USD per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, shares authorized (shares)	640,000,000	640,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (shares)	364,639,901	346,687,160
Common stock in treasury, shares (shares)	74,622,657	76,259,835

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Operating Activities
Net Income	$ 874	$ 1,233	$ 311
Adjustments to net income to derive net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	2,154	2,253	1,978
Share-based compensation	244	261	322
Deferred income taxes	(302)	(381)	(240)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade receivables, net	(48)	(51)	(170)
Inventories	(125)	(149)	246
Prepaid expenses and other	81	299	(46)
Accounts payable, income taxes and other liabilities	205	(470)	867
Pension obligation	95	(123)	(263)
Excess tax benefits from payments under share-based compensation plans	52	55	78
Gain on sale of Vyaire interest	0	0	(303)
Gain on sale of business	0	(336)	0
Product liability-related charges	378	914	0
Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net	(68)	(177)	85
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	3,539	3,330	2,865
Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	(810)	(957)	(895)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(164)	0	(15,155)
Proceeds from divestitures, net	0	477	534
Other, net	(257)	(261)	(217)
Net Cash Used for Investing Activities	(1,232)	(741)	(15,733)
Financing Activities
Change in credit facility borrowings	(485)	485	0
Proceeds from long-term debt and term loans	3,389	2,224	5,086
Payments of debt and term loans	(4,664)	(4,744)	(3,996)
Proceeds from issuance of equity securities	2,917	0	0
Dividends paid	(1,026)	(984)	(927)
Other, net	(109)	(205)	(220)
Net Cash Provided by (Used for) Financing Activities	22	(3,223)	(58)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and equivalents and restricted cash	(3)	(12)	(17)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Equivalents and Restricted Cash	2,326	(646)	(12,943)
Opening Cash and Equivalents and Restricted Cash	590	1,236	14,179
Closing Cash and Equivalents and Restricted Cash	2,917	590	1,236
Non-Cash Investing Activities
Noncash consideration-fair value of shares issued	0	0	8,004
Noncash consideration-fair value of stock options and other equity awards	$ 0	$ 0	$ 613

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of Becton, Dickinson and Company (the “Company” or "BD") have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP"). Within the financial statements and tables presented, certain columns and rows may not add due to the use of rounded numbers for disclosure purposes. Percentages and earnings per share amounts presented are calculated from the underlying amounts. Our fiscal year ends on September 30. Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the Company’s accounts and those of its majority-owned subsidiaries after the elimination of intercompany transactions. The Company has no material interests in variable interest entities. Cash Equivalents Cash equivalents consist of all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at time of purchase. Restricted Cash Restricted cash consists of cash restricted from withdrawal and usage and largely represents funds that are restricted for certain product liability matters assumed in the acquisition of C.R. Bard, Inc. ("Bard"), which are further discussed in Note 5. Trade Receivables The Company grants credit to customers in the normal course of business and the resulting trade receivables are stated at their net realizable value. The allowance for doubtful accounts represents the Company’s estimate of probable credit losses relating to trade receivables and is determined based on historical experience and other specific account data. Amounts are written off against the allowances for doubtful accounts when the Company determines that a customer account is uncollectable. Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of approximate cost determined on the first-in, first-out basis or market. Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are principally provided on the straight-line basis over estimated useful lives, which range from 20 to 45 years for buildings, four one Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets The Company’s unamortized intangible assets include goodwill which arise from acquisitions of businesses. The Company currently reviews goodwill for impairment using quantitative models. Goodwill is reviewed at least annually for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is defined as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment, referred to as a component. The Company’s reporting units generally represent one level below reporting segments. Potential impairment of goodwill is generally identified by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit, estimated using an income approach, with its carrying value. The annual impairment review performed on July 1, 2020 indicated that all identified reporting units’ fair values exceeded their respective carrying values. Amortized intangible assets include developed technology assets which arise from acquisitions. These assets represent acquired intellectual property that is already technologically feasible upon the acquisition date or acquired in-process research and development assets that are completed subsequent to acquisition. Developed technology assets are generally amortized over periods ranging from 15 to 20 years, using the straight-line method. Customer relationship assets are generally amortized over periods ranging from 10 to 15 years, using the straight-line method. Other intangibles with finite useful lives, which include patents, are amortized over periods principally ranging from one Foreign Currency Translation Generally, foreign subsidiaries’ functional currency is the local currency of operations and the net assets of foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars using current exchange rates. The U.S. dollar results that arise from such translation, as well as exchange gains and losses on intercompany balances of a long-term investment nature, are included in the foreign currency translation adjustments in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes revenue from product sales when the customer obtains control of the product, which is generally upon shipment or delivery, depending on the delivery terms specified in the sales agreement. Revenues associated with certain instruments and equipment for which installation is complex, and therefore significantly affects the customer’s ability to use and benefit from the product, are recognized upon customer acceptance of these installed products. Revenue for certain service arrangements, including extended warranty and software maintenance contracts, is recognized ratably over the contract term. When arrangements include multiple performance obligations, the total transaction price of the contract is allocated to each performance obligation based on the estimated relative standalone selling prices of the promised goods or services underlying each performance obligation. Variable consideration such as rebates, sales discounts and sales returns are estimated and treated as a reduction of revenue in the same period the related revenue is recognized. These estimates are based on contractual terms, historical practices, and current trends, and are adjusted as new information becomes available. Revenues exclude any taxes that the Company collects from customers and remits to tax authorities. Equipment lease transactions with customers are evaluated and classified as either operating or sales-type leases. Generally, these arrangements are accounted for as operating leases and therefore, revenue is recognized at the contracted rate over the rental period defined within the customer agreement. Additional disclosures regarding the Company's accounting for revenue recognition are provided in Note 6. Shipping and Handling Costs The Company considers its shipping and handling costs to be contract fulfillment costs and records them within Selling and administrative expense. Shipping expense was $551 million, $511 million and $479 million in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Derivative Financial Instruments All derivatives are recorded in the balance sheet at fair value and changes in fair value are recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. Any deferred gains or losses associated with derivative instruments are recognized in income in the period in which the underlying hedged transaction is recognized. Additional disclosures regarding the Company's accounting for derivative instruments are provided in Note 14. Income Taxes The Company has reviewed its needs in the United States for possible repatriation of undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiaries and continues to invest foreign subsidiaries earnings outside of the United States to fund foreign investments or meet foreign working capital and property, plant and equipment expenditure needs. As a result, the Company is permanently reinvested with respect to all of its historical foreign earnings as of September 30, 2020. Deferred taxes are not provided on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries that are indefinitely reinvested. The determination of the amount of the unrecognized deferred tax liability related to the undistributed earnings is not practicable because of the complexities associated with its hypothetical calculation. The Company conducts business and files tax returns in numerous countries and currently has tax audits in progress in a number of tax jurisdictions. In evaluating the exposure associated with various tax filing positions, the Company records accruals for uncertain tax positions based on the technical support for the positions, past audit experience with similar situations, and the potential interest and penalties related to the matters. The Company maintains valuation allowances where it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. Changes in valuation allowances are included in the tax provision in the period of change. In determining whether a valuation allowance is warranted, management evaluates factors such as prior earnings history, expected future earnings, carryback and carryforward periods and tax strategies that could potentially enhance the likelihood of the realization of a deferred tax asset. Additional disclosures regarding the Company's accounting for income taxes are provided in Note 17. Earnings per Share Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock. In computing diluted earnings per share, only potential common shares that are dilutive (i.e., those that reduce earnings per share or increase loss per share) are included in the calculation. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates or assumptions affect reported assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses as reflected in the consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Accounting Changes

Accounting Changes	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Accounting Changes	Accounting Changes New Accounting Principles Adopted In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued a new lease accounting standard which requires lessees to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet, as well as expanded disclosures regarding leasing arrangements. The Company adopted this standard on October 1, 2019, and elected certain practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance, including a transition method which allows application of the new standard at its adoption date, rather than at the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The Company also elected not to perform any reassessments relative to its expired and existing leases upon its adoption of the new requirements. The Company's adoption of this standard did not materially impact its consolidated financial statements. Additional disclosures regarding the Company’s lease arrangements are provided in Note 18. In August 2018, the FASB issued a new accounting standard to align the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal use software license). The Company early adopted this standard as of April 1, 2020 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this standard did not materially impact the Company's consolidated financial statements. In July 2018, the FASB issued accounting standard update (“ASU”) ASU 2018-09, "Codification Improvements", which, among other items, amended an illustrative example of a fair value hierarchy disclosure to indicate that a certain type of investment should not always be considered to be eligible to use the net asset value ("NAV") per share practical expedient. Also, it further clarified that an entity should evaluate whether a readily determinable fair value exists or whether its investments qualify for the NAV practical expedient. The Company early adopted this standard in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020 on a prospective basis, which is reflected in the fair value hierarchy classification of pension assets in Note 9, but does not change the fair value measurements of the investments. On October 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" ("ASC 606") using the modified retrospective method. Under ASC 606, revenue is recognized upon the transfer of control of goods or services to customers and reflects the amount of consideration to which a reporting entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Company assessed the impact of this new standard on its consolidated financial statements based upon a review of contracts that were not completed as of October 1, 2018. Amounts presented in the Company's financial statements for the prior-year periods were not revised and are reflective of the revenue recognition requirements which were in effect for those periods. This accounting standard adoption, which is further discussed in Note 6, did not materially impact any line items of the Company's consolidated income statements and balance sheet. On October 1, 2018, the Company retrospectively adopted an accounting standard update which requires all components of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs to be disaggregated from the service cost component and to be presented on the income statement outside a subtotal of income from operations, if one is presented. Upon the Company's adoption of the accounting standard update, which did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements, all components of the Company’s net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs, aside from service cost, are recorded to Other income, net on its consolidated income statements for all periods presented. Revisions of prior-year amounts were estimated based upon previously disclosed amounts. On October 1, 2018, the Company adopted an accounting standard update which requires that the income tax effects of intercompany sales or transfers of assets, except those involving inventory, be recognized in the income statement as income tax expense (or benefit) in the period that the sale or transfer occurs. The Company adopted this accounting standard update, which did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements, using the modified retrospective method. In the second quarter of its fiscal year 2018, the Company prospectively adopted an accounting standard update relating to the stranded income tax effects on items within Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) resulting from the enactment of new U.S. tax legislation, which legislation is further discussed in Note 17. Additional disclosures regarding this accounting standard adoption are provided in Note 3. New Accounting Principle Not Yet Adopted In June 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard which requires earlier recognition of credit losses on loans and other financial instruments held by entities, including trade receivables. The new standard requires entities to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at each reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Adoption of this new accounting standard on October 1, 2020 will not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Shareholders' Equity

Shareholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Shareholders' Equity	Shareholders’ Equity Changes in certain components of shareholders’ equity were as follows: Common Capital in Retained Deferred Treasury Stock (Millions of dollars) Shares (in Amount Balance at September 30, 2017 $ 347 $ 9,619 $ 13,111 $ 19 (118,745) $ (8,427) Net income — — 311 — — — Cash dividends: Common ($3.00 per share) — — (775) — — — Preferred — — (152) — — — Common stock issued for: Acquisition (see Note 10) — 6,478 — — 37,306 2,121 Share-based compensation and other plans, net — (246) (2) 3 2,982 62 Share-based compensation — 328 — — — — Common stock held in trusts, net (a) — — — — (6) — Effect of change in accounting principle (see Note 2 and further discussion below) — — 103 — — — Balance at September 30, 2018 $ 347 $ 16,179 $ 12,596 $ 22 (78,463) $ (6,243) Net income — — 1,233 — — — Cash dividends: Common ($3.08 per share) — — (832) — — — Preferred — — (152) — — — Common stock issued for share-based compensation and other plans, net — (170) (1) 1 2,155 53 Share-based compensation — 261 — — — — Common stock held in trusts, net (a) — — — — 48 — Effect of change in accounting principle (see Note 2) — — 68 — — — Balance at September 30, 2019 $ 347 $ 16,270 $ 12,913 $ 23 (76,260) $ (6,190) Net income — — 874 — — — Cash dividends: Common ($3.16 per share) — — (888) — — — Preferred — — (107) — — — Common stock issued for: Preferred shares converted to common shares 12 (9) — — — — Public equity offerings 6 2,909 — — — — Share-based compensation and other plans, net — (143) — — 1,597 52 Share-based compensation — 244 — — — — Common stock held in trusts, net (a) — — — — 41 — Balance at September 30, 2020 $ 365 $ 19,270 $ 12,791 $ 23 (74,623) $ (6,138) (a) Common stock held in trusts represents rabbi trusts in connection with deferred compensation under the Company’s employee salary and bonus deferral plan and directors’ deferral plan. Common and Preferred Stock Conversions and Offerings In accordance with their terms, the Company's 2.475 million mandatory convertible preferred shares that were issued in May 2017 in connection with the Company's acquisition of Bard were converted into 11.703 million shares of BD common stock on the mandatory conversion date of May 1, 2020. Also in May 2020, the Company completed registered public offerings of equity securities including: • 6.250 million shares of the Company's common stock for net proceeds of $1.459 billion (gross proceeds of $1.500 billion). • 1.500 million shares of the Company's mandatory convertible preferred stock (ownership is held in the form of depositary shares, each representing a 1/20th interest in a share of preferred stock) for net proceeds of $1.459 billion (gross proceeds of $1.500 billion). If and when declared, dividends on the mandatory convertible preferred stock will be payable on a cumulative basis at an annual rate of 6.00% on the liquidation preference of $1,000 per preferred share ($50 per depositary share). The shares of preferred stock are convertible to a minimum of 5.2 million and up to a maximum of 6.2 million shares of Company common stock at an exchange ratio, based on the market price of the Company’s common stock at the date of conversion, and no later than the mandatory conversion date of June 1, 2023. The net proceeds from these offerings have been and will be used by the Company for general corporate purposes, which may include funding for the Company's growth strategy through organic investments and acquisitions, working capital, capital expenditures and repayment of outstanding indebtedness. The components and changes of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows: (Millions of dollars) Total Foreign Benefit Plans Cash Flow Balance at September 30, 2017 $ (1,723) $ (1,001) $ (703) $ (18) Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications, net of taxes (142) (161) 19 — Amounts reclassified into income, net of 57 — 52 5 Tax effects reclassified to retained earnings (103) — (99) (4) Balance at September 30, 2018 $ (1,909) $ (1,162) $ (729) $ (17) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of taxes (427) (93) (325) (9) Amounts reclassified into income, net of 52 — 49 3 Balance at September 30, 2019 $ (2,283) $ (1,256) $ (1,005) $ (23) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of taxes (338) (161) (101) (76) Amounts reclassified into income, net of 74 — 66 8 Balance at September 30, 2020 $ (2,548) $ (1,416) $ (1,040) $ (91) The amount of foreign currency translation recognized in other comprehensive income during the years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018 included net gains (losses) relating to net investment hedges, as further discussed in Note 14. The amounts recognized in other comprehensive income relating to cash flow hedges in 2020 and 2019 related to forward starting interest rate swaps. Additional disclosures regarding the Company's derivatives are provided in Note 14. During the second quarter of fiscal 2018, as permitted under U.S. GAAP, the Company reclassified stranded income tax effects on items within Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) resulting from the enactment of new U.S. tax legislation, which legislation is further discussed in Note 17, to Retained earnings . The reclassified tax effects related to prior service credits and net actuarial losses relating to benefit plans, as well as to terminated cash flow hedges. The tax effects relating to these items are generally recognized as such amounts are amortized into earnings. The tax impacts for amounts recognized in other comprehensive income before reclassifications were as follows: (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 2018 Benefit Plans Income tax benefit (provision) for net (losses) gains recorded in other comprehensive income $ 30 $ 91 $ (19) The tax impacts for cash flow hedges recognized in other comprehensive income before reclassifications in 2020 were $25 million. The tax impacts recognized in 2019 for cash flow hedges were immaterial to the Company's consolidated financial results. Reclassifications out of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

Earnings per Share

Earnings per Share	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings per Share	Earnings per Share The weighted average common shares used in the computations of basic and diluted earnings per share (shares in thousands) for the years ended September 30 were as follows: 2020 2019 2018 Average common shares outstanding 278,971 269,943 258,354 Dilutive share equivalents from share-based plans (a) 3,431 4,832 6,267 Average common and common equivalent shares outstanding — assuming dilution 282,402 274,775 264,621 (a) For the years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, dilutive share equivalents associated with mandatory convertible preferred stock of 9 million, 12 million and 12 million, respectively, were excluded from the diluted shares outstanding calculation because the result would have been antidilutive. The issuance of the convertible preferred stock is further discussed in Note 3. For the years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, there were no options to purchase shares of common stock which were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Commitments The Company has certain future purchase commitments entered in the normal course of business to meet operational and capital requirements. As of September 30, 2020, these commitments aggregated to approximately $1.436 billion and will be expended over the next several years. Contingencies Given the uncertain nature of litigation generally, the Company is not able, in all cases, to estimate the amount or range of loss that could result from an unfavorable outcome of the litigation to which the Company is a party. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company establishes accruals to the extent probable future losses are estimable (in the case of environmental matters, without considering possible third-party recoveries). With respect to putative class action lawsuits in the United States and certain of the Canadian lawsuits described below relating to product liability matters, the Company is unable to estimate a range of reasonably possible losses for the following reasons: (i) all or certain of the proceedings are in early stages; (ii) the Company has not received and reviewed complete information regarding all or certain of the plaintiffs and their medical conditions; and/or (iii) there are significant factual issues to be resolved. In addition, there is uncertainty as to the likelihood of a class being certified or the ultimate size of the class. With respect to the civil investigative demand served by the Department of Justice, as discussed below, the Company is unable to estimate a range of reasonably possible losses for the following reasons: (i) all or certain of the proceedings are in early stages; and/or (ii) there are significant factual and legal issues to be resolved. In view of the uncertainties discussed below, the Company could incur charges in excess of any currently established accruals and, to the extent available, liability insurance. In the opinion of management, any such future charges, individually or in the aggregate, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations and consolidated cash flows. Product Liability Matters The Company believes that certain settlements and judgments, as well as legal defense costs, relating to product liability matters are or may be covered in whole or in part under its product liability insurance policies with a limited number of insurance carriers, or, in some circumstances, indemnification obligations to the Company from other parties, which if disputed, the Company intends to vigorously contest. Amounts recovered under the Company’s product liability insurance policies or indemnification arrangements may be less than the stated coverage limits or less than otherwise expected and may not be adequate to cover damages and/or costs relating to claims. In addition, there is no guarantee that insurers or other parties will pay claims or that coverage or indemnity will be otherwise available. Hernia Product Claims As of September 30, 2020, the Company is defending approximately 21,370 product liability claims involving the Company’s line of hernia repair devices (collectively, the “Hernia Product Claims”). The majority of those claims are currently pending in a coordinated proceeding in Rhode Island State Court, but claims are also pending in other state and/or federal court jurisdictions. In addition, those claims include multiple putative class actions in Canada. Generally, the Hernia Product Claims seek damages for personal injury allegedly resulting from use of the products. From time to time, the Company engages in resolution discussions with plaintiffs’ law firms regarding certain of the Hernia Product Claims, but the Company also intends to vigorously defend Hernia Product Claims that do not settle, including through litigation. The Company expects additional trials of Hernia Product Claims to take place over the next 12 months. In August 2018, a hernia multi-district litigation (“MDL”) was ordered to be established in the Southern District of Ohio. Trials are scheduled throughout fiscal year 2021 in various state and/or federal courts, with the first trial currently scheduled for April 2021 in the MDL. A second trial is likely to be scheduled for April 2021 in Rhode Island. The Company cannot give any assurances that the resolution of the Hernia Product Claims that have not settled, including asserted and unasserted claims and the putative class action lawsuits, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition and/or liquidity. Women’s Health Product Claims As of September 30, 2020, the Company is defending approximately 525 product liability claims involving the Company’s line of pelvic mesh devices. The majority of those claims are currently pending in various federal court jurisdictions, and a coordinated proceeding in New Jersey State Court, but claims are also pending in other state court jurisdictions. In addition, those claims include putative class actions filed in the United States. Not included in the figures above are approximately 980 filed and unfiled claims that have been asserted or threatened against the Company but lack sufficient information to determine whether a pelvic mesh device of the Company is actually at issue. The claims identified above also include products manufactured by both the Company and two subsidiaries of Medtronic plc (as successor in interest to Covidien plc) (“Medtronic”), each a supplier of the Company. Medtronic has an obligation to defend and indemnify the Company with respect to any product defect liability relating to products its subsidiaries had manufactured. In July 2015, the Company reached an agreement with Medtronic in which Medtronic agreed to take responsibility for pursuing settlement of certain of the Women’s Health Product Claims that relate to products distributed by the Company under supply agreements with Medtronic. In June 2017, the Company amended the agreement with Medtronic to transfer responsibility for settlement of additional Women’s Health Product Claims to Medtronic on terms similar to the July 2015 agreement, including with respect to the obligation to make payments to Medtronic towards these potential settlements. As of September 30, 2020, the Company has paid Medtronic $148 million towards these potential settlements. The Company also may, in its sole discretion, transfer responsibility for settlement of additional Women’s Health Product Claims to Medtronic on similar terms. The agreements do not resolve the dispute between the Company and Medtronic with respect to Women’s Health Product Claims that do not settle, if any. The foregoing lawsuits, unfiled claims, putative class actions, and other claims, together with claims that have settled or are the subject of agreements or agreements in principle to settle, are referred to collectively as the “Women’s Health Product Claims.” The Women’s Health Product Claims generally seek damages for personal injury allegedly resulting from use of the products. As of September 30, 2020, the Company has reached agreements or agreements in principle with various plaintiffs’ law firms to settle their respective inventories of cases totaling approximately 15,235 of the Women’s Health Product Claims. The Company believes that these Women’s Health Product Claims are not the subject of Medtronic’s indemnification obligation. These settlement agreements and agreements in principle include unfiled and previously unknown claims held by various plaintiffs’ law firms, which are not included in the approximate number of lawsuits set forth in the first paragraph of this section. Each agreement is subject to certain conditions, including requirements for participation in the proposed settlements by a certain minimum number of plaintiffs. The Company continues to engage in discussions with other plaintiffs’ law firms regarding potential resolution of unsettled Women’s Health Product Claims, which may include additional inventory settlements. Starting in 2014 in the MDL, the court entered certain pre-trial orders requiring trial work up and remand of a significant number of Women’s Health Product Claims, including an order entered in the MDL on January 30, 2018, that requires the work up and remand of all remaining unsettled cases (the “WHP Pre-Trial Orders”). The WHP Pre-Trial Orders may result in material additional costs or trial verdicts in future periods in defending Women’s Health Product Claims. Trials are anticipated throughout 2021 in state and federal courts. A trial in the New Jersey coordinated proceeding began in March 2018, and in April 2018 a jury entered a verdict against the Company in the total amount of $68 million ($33 million compensatory; $35 million punitive). The Company is in the process of appealing that verdict. The Company expects additional trials of Women’s Health Product Claims to take place over the next 12 months, which may potentially include consolidated trials. During the course of engaging in settlement discussions with plaintiffs’ law firms, the Company has learned, and may in future periods learn, additional information regarding these and other unfiled claims, or other lawsuits, which could materially impact the Company’s estimate of the number of claims or lawsuits against the Company. Filter Product Claims As of September 30, 2020, the Company is defending approximately 1,650 product liability claims involving the Company’s line of inferior vena cava filters (collectively, the “Filter Product Claims”). The majority of those claims were previously pending in an MDL in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, but those MDL claims either have been, or are in the process of being, remanded to various federal jurisdictions. Filter Product Claims are also pending in various state court jurisdictions, including a coordinated proceeding in Arizona State Court. In addition, those claims include putative class actions filed in the United States and Canada. The Filter Product Claims generally seek damages for personal injury allegedly resulting from use of the products. The Company has limited information regarding the nature and quantity of certain of the Filter Product Claims. The Company continues to receive claims and lawsuits and may in future periods learn additional information regarding other unfiled or unknown claims, or other lawsuits, which could materially impact the Company’s estimate of the number of claims or lawsuits against the Company. On May 31, 2019, the MDL Court ceased accepting direct filings or transfers into the Filter Product Claims MDL and, as noted above, remands for non-settled cases have begun and are expected to continue over the next three months. Federal and state court trials are scheduled throughout fiscal year 2021. As of September 30, 2020, the Company entered into settlement agreements and/or settlement agreements in principle for approximately 8,120 cases. On March 30, 2018, a jury in the first MDL trial found the Company liable for negligent failure to warn and entered a verdict in favor of plaintiffs. The jury found the Company was not liable for (a) strict liability design defect; (b) strict liability failure to warn; and (c) negligent design. In August 2020, the Ninth Circuit affirmed that verdict on appeal. On June 1, 2018, a jury in the second MDL trial unanimously found in favor of the Company on all claims. On August 17, 2018, the Court entered summary judgment in favor of the Company on all claims in the third MDL trial. On October 5, 2018, a jury in the fourth MDL trial unanimously found in favor of the Company on all claims. The Company expects additional trials of Filter Product Claims may take place over the next 12 months. In most product liability litigations (like those described above), plaintiffs allege a wide variety of claims, ranging from allegations of serious injury caused by the products to efforts to obtain compensation notwithstanding the absence of any injury. In many of these cases, the Company has not yet received and reviewed complete information regarding the plaintiffs and their medical conditions and, consequently, is unable to fully evaluate the claims. The Company expects that it will receive and review additional information regarding any remaining unsettled product liability matters. In connection with the settlement of a prior litigation with certain of the Company's insurance carriers, an agreement with the Company's insurance carriers was reached to reimburse the Company for certain future costs incurred in connection with Filter Product Claims up to an agreed amount. For certain product liability claims or lawsuits, the Company does not maintain or has limited remaining insurance coverage. Other Legal Matters Since early 2013, the Company has received subpoenas or Civil Investigative Demands from a number of State Attorneys General seeking information related to the sales and marketing of certain of the Company’s products that are the subject of the Hernia Product Claims and the Women’s Health Product Claims. On September 24, 2020, the Company and the State Attorneys General announced that this matter has been resolved for a total of $60 million payable by the Company, which is included in Accrued expenses and Deferred Income Taxes and Other Liabilities on the Company's consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2020. The Company is a potentially responsible party to a number of federal administrative proceedings in the United States brought under the Comprehensive Environment Response, Compensation and Liability Act, also known as “Superfund,” and similar state laws. The affected sites are in varying stages of development. In some instances, the remedy has been completed, while in others, environmental studies are underway or commencing. For several sites, there are other potentially responsible parties that may be jointly or severally liable to pay all or part of cleanup costs. While it is not feasible to predict the outcome of these proceedings, based upon the Company’s experience, current information and applicable law, the Company does not expect these proceedings to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and/or liquidity. However, one or more of the proceedings could be material to the Company’s business and/or results of operations. On February 27, 2020, a putative class action captioned Kabak v. Becton, Dickinson and Company, et al., Civ. No. 2:20-cv-02155 (SRC) (CLW), was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey against the Company and certain of its officers. The complaint, which purports to be brought on behalf of all persons (other than defendants) who purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's common stock from November 5, 2019 through February 5, 2020, asserts claims for purported violations of Sections 10 and 20 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and SEC Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, and seeks, among other things, damages and costs. The complaint alleges that defendants concealed material information regarding Alaris TM infusion pumps, including that (1) certain pumps exhibited software errors, (2) the Company was investing in remediation efforts as opposed to other enhancements and (3) the Company was thus reasonably likely to recall certain pumps and/or experience regulatory delays. These alleged omissions, the complaint asserts, rendered certain public statements about the Company’s business, operations and prospects false or misleading, causing investors to purchase stock at an inflated price. The Company believes these claims are without merit and intends to vigorously defend this action. On November 2, 2020, a civil action captioned Jankowski v. Forlenza, et al., Civ. No. 2:20-cv-15474, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey by a shareholder, Ronald Jankowski, derivatively on behalf of the Company, against its individual directors and certain of its officers. The complaint seeks recovery for breach of fiduciary duties by directors and various officers; violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and insider trading. In general, the complaint alleges, among other things, that various directors and/or officers (1) caused the Company to issue purportedly misleading statements and SEC filings regarding Alaris infusion pumps (2) issued a misleading proxy statement (3) engaged in improper insider trading and (4) caused or contributed to various violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including sections 10(b), 14(a) and 21D. The complaint seeks damages, including restitution and disgorgement of profits, and an injunction requiring the Company to undertake remedial measures with respect to certain corporate governance and internal procedures. The Company believes these claims are without merit and intends to vigorously defend this action. Consistent with New Jersey law, this action will be stayed pending a formal response by the Board of Directors to the shareholder’s presuit demand for an investigation of his claims. The Company is also involved both as a plaintiff and a defendant in other legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses to these suits pending against the Company and is engaged in a vigorous defense of each of these matters. Litigation Accruals The Company regularly monitors and evaluates the status of product liability and other legal matters, and may, from time-to-time, engage in settlement and mediation discussions taking into consideration developments in the matters and the risks and uncertainties surrounding litigation. These discussions could result in settlements of one or more of these claims at any time. During fiscal years 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded pre-tax charges to Other operating expense, net , of approximately $378 million and $914 million, respectively, related to certain of the product liability matters discussed above under the heading “Product Liability Matters,” including the related legal defense costs. The Company recorded these charges based on additional information obtained during fiscal years 2020 and 2019 including but not limited to: the nature and quantity of unfiled and filed claims and the continued rate of claims being filed in certain product liability matters; the status of certain settlement discussions with plaintiffs’ counsel; the allegations and documentation supporting or refuting such allegations; publicly available information regarding similar medical device mass tort settlements; historical information regarding other product liability settlements involving the Company; and the stage of litigation. Accruals for the Company's product liability claims which are discussed above, as well as the related legal defense costs, amounted to approximately $2.5 billion at September 30, 2020 and 2019. These accruals, which are generally long-term in nature, are largely recorded within Deferred Income Taxes and Other Liabilities on the Company's consolidated balance sheets. As of September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company had $92 million and $53 million, respectively, in qualified settlement funds (“QSFs”), subject to certain settlement conditions, for certain product liability matters. Payments to QSFs are recorded as a component of Restricted cash . The Company's expected recoveries related to product liability claims and related legal defense costs were approximately $139 million and $150 million at September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. A substantial amount of these expected recoveries at September 30, 2020 and 2019 related to the Company’s agreements with Medtronic related to certain Women’s Health Product Claims. The expected recoveries at September 30, 2020 related to the indemnification obligation are not in dispute with respect to claims that Medtronic settles pursuant to the agreements.

Revenues

Revenues	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue	RevenuesAs previously discussed in Note 2, the Company adopted ASC 606 in fiscal year 2019 using the modified retrospective method. The Company sells a broad range of medical supplies, devices, laboratory equipment and diagnostic products which are distributed through independent distribution channels and directly by BD through sales representatives. End-users of the Company's products include healthcare institutions, physicians, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, the pharmaceutical industry and the general public. Timing of Revenue Recognition The Company's revenues are primarily recognized when the customer obtains control of the product sold, which is generally upon shipment or delivery, depending on the delivery terms specified in the sales agreement. Revenues associated with certain instruments and equipment for which installation is complex, and therefore significantly affects the customer’s ability to use and benefit from the product, are recognized when customer acceptance of these installed products has been confirmed. For certain service arrangements, including extended warranty and software maintenance contracts, revenue is recognized ratably over the contract term. The majority of revenues relating to extended warranty contracts associated with certain instruments and equipment is generally recognized within a few years whereas deferred revenue relating to software maintenance contracts is generally recognized over a longer period. Measurement of Revenues The Company acts as the principal in substantially all of its customer arrangements and as such, generally records revenues on a gross basis. Revenues exclude any taxes that the Company collects from customers and remits to tax authorities. The Company considers its shipping and handling costs to be costs of contract fulfillment and has made the accounting policy election to record these costs within Selling and administrative expense . Payment terms extended to the Company's customers are based upon commercially reasonable terms for the markets in which the Company's products are sold. Because the Company generally expects to receive payment within one year or less from when control of a product is transferred to the customer, the Company does not generally adjust its revenues for the effects of a financing component. The Company’s estimate of probable credit losses relating to trade receivables is determined based on historical experience and other specific account data. Amounts are written off against the allowances for doubtful accounts when the Company determines that a customer account is uncollectable. Such amounts are not material to the Company's consolidated financial results. The Company's gross revenues are subject to a variety of deductions which are recorded in the same period that the underlying revenues are recognized. Such variable consideration includes rebates, sales discounts and sales returns. Because these deductions represent estimates of the related obligations, judgment is required when determining the impact of these revenue deductions on gross revenues for a reporting period. Rebates provided by the Company are based upon prices determined under the Company's agreements with its end-user customers. Additional factors considered in the estimate of the Company's rebate liability include the quantification of inventory that is either in stock at or in transit to the Company's distributors, as well as the estimated lag time between the sale of product and the payment of corresponding rebates. The impact of other forms of variable consideration, including sales discounts and sales returns, is not material to the Company's revenues. Additional disclosures relating to sales discounts and sales returns are provided in Note 19. The Company's agreements with customers within certain organizational units including Medication Management Solutions, Integrated Diagnostic Solutions and Biosciences, contain multiple performance obligations including both products and certain services noted above. The transaction price for these agreements is allocated to each performance obligation based upon its relative standalone selling price. Standalone selling price is the amount at which the Company would sell a promised good or service separately to a customer. The Company generally estimates standalone selling prices using its list prices and a consideration of typical discounts offered to customers. Effects of Revenue Arrangements on Consolidated Balance Sheets Due to the nature of the majority of the Company's products and services, the Company typically does not incur costs to fulfill a contract in advance of providing the customer with goods or services. Capitalized contract costs associated with the costs to fulfill contracts for certain products in the Medication Management Solutions organizational unit are immaterial to the Company's consolidated balance sheets. The Company's costs to obtain contracts are comprised of sales commissions which are paid to the Company's employees or third party agents. The majority of the sales commissions incurred by the Company relate to revenue that is recognized over a period that is less than one year and as such, the Company has elected a practical expedient provided under ASC 606 to record the majority of its expense associated with sales commissions as it is incurred. Commissions relating to revenues recognized over a period longer than one year are recorded as assets which are amortized over the period over which the revenues underlying the commissions are recognized. Capitalized contract costs related to such commissions are immaterial to the Company's consolidated balance sheets. The Company records contract liabilities for unearned revenue that is allocable to performance obligations, such as extended warranty and software maintenance contracts, which are performed over time as discussed further above. These contract liabilities are immaterial to the Company's consolidated financial results. The Company's liability for product warranties provided under its agreements with customers is not material to its consolidated balance sheets. Remaining Performance Obligations The Company's obligations relative to service contracts, which are further discussed above, and pending installations of equipment, primarily in the Company's Medication Management Solutions unit, represent unsatisfied performance obligations of the Company. The revenues under existing contracts with original expected durations of more than one year, which are attributable to products and/or services that have not yet been installed or provided, are estimated to be approximately $1.9 billion at September 30, 2020. The Company expects to recognize the majority of this revenue over the next three years. Within the Company's Medication Management Solutions, Medication Delivery Solutions, Integrated Diagnostic Solutions, and Biosciences units, some contracts also contain minimum purchase commitments of reagents or other consumables and the future sales of these consumables represent additional unsatisfied performance obligations of the Company. The revenue attributable to the unsatisfied minimum purchase commitment-related performance obligations, for contracts with original expected durations of more than one year, is estimated to be approximately $2.6 billion at September 30, 2020. This revenue will be recognized over the customer relationship periods. Disaggregation of Revenues A disaggregation of the Company's revenues by segment, organizational unit and geographic region is provided in Note 7.

Segment Data

Segment Data	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Data	Segment Data The Company's organizational structure is based upon three worldwide business segments: BD Medical (“Medical”), BD Life Sciences (“Life Sciences”) and BD Interventional ("Interventional"). The Company’s segments are strategic businesses that are managed separately because each one develops, manufactures and markets distinct products and services. Medical Medical produces a broad array of medical technologies and devices that are used to help improve healthcare delivery in a wide range of settings. The primary customers served by Medical are hospitals and clinics; physicians’ office practices; consumers and retail pharmacies; governmental and nonprofit public health agencies; pharmaceutical companies; and healthcare workers. Medical consists of the following organizational units: Medication Delivery Solutions; Medication Management Solutions; Diabetes Care; Pharmaceutical Systems. Life Sciences Life Sciences provides products for the safe collection and transport of diagnostics specimens, and instruments and reagent systems to detect a broad range of infectious diseases, healthcare-associated infections and cancers. In addition, Life Sciences produces research and clinical tools that facilitate the study of cells, and the components of cells, to gain a better understanding of normal and disease processes. That information is used to aid the discovery and development of new drugs and vaccines, and to improve the diagnosis and management of diseases. The primary customers served by Life Sciences are hospitals, laboratories and clinics; blood banks; healthcare workers; public health agencies; physicians’ office practices; retail pharmacies; academic and government institutions; and pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Effective October 1, 2019, Life Sciences joined its former Preanalytical Systems and Diagnostic Systems organizational units to create a new Integrated Diagnostic Solutions organizational unit which focuses on driving growth and innovation around integrated specimen management to diagnostic solutions. Life Sciences consists of the following organizational units: Integrated Diagnostic Solutions and Biosciences. Interventional Interventional provides vascular, urology, oncology and surgical specialty products that are intended, with the exception of the V. Muller TM surgical and laparoscopic instrumentation products, to be used once and then discarded or are either temporarily or permanently implanted. The primary customers served by Interventional are hospitals, individual healthcare professionals, extended care facilities, alternate site facilities and patients via the segment's Homecare business. The Interventional segment consists of the following organizational units: Surgery; Peripheral Intervention; Urology and Critical Care. Additional Segment Information Distribution of products is primarily through independent distribution channels, and directly to end-users by BD and independent sales representatives. No customer accounted for 10% or more of revenues in any of the three years presented. Segment disclosures are on a performance basis consistent with internal management reporting. The Company evaluates performance of its business segments and allocates resources to them primarily based upon operating income, which represents revenues reduced by product costs and operating expenses. Financial information for the Company’s segments is detailed below. The Company has no material intersegment revenues. As discussed in Note 10, the Company completed its acquisition of Bard on December 29, 2017. Bard's operating results were included in the Company’s consolidated results of operations beginning on January 1, 2018. (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 2018 United States International Total United States International Total United States International Total Medical Medication Delivery Solutions (a) $ 1,972 $ 1,583 $ 3,555 $ 2,037 $ 1,811 $ 3,848 $ 1,875 $ 1,752 $ 3,627 Medication Management Solutions (a) 1,865 589 2,454 2,115 525 2,640 1,974 513 2,487 Diabetes Care 562 522 1,084 573 538 1,110 564 541 1,105 Pharmaceutical Systems 404 1,184 1,588 392 1,073 1,465 357 1,040 1,397 Total segment revenues $ 4,802 $ 3,878 $ 8,680 $ 5,116 $ 3,947 $ 9,064 $ 4,770 $ 3,846 $ 8,616 Life Sciences Integrated Diagnostic Solutions Preanalytical Systems $ 769 $ 718 $ 1,487 $ 774 $ 784 $ 1,558 $ 761 $ 792 $ 1,553 Diagnostic Systems 1,103 941 2,045 672 875 1,547 678 858 1,536 Total Integrated Diagnostic Solutions 1,872 1,659 3,532 1,446 1,659 3,106 1,438 1,651 3,089 Biosciences 465 678 1,143 485 709 1,194 475 766 1,241 Total segment revenues $ 2,337 $ 2,337 $ 4,675 $ 1,931 $ 2,368 $ 4,300 $ 1,914 $ 2,416 $ 4,330 Interventional Surgery (b) $ 891 $ 230 $ 1,121 $ 977 $ 264 $ 1,242 $ 820 $ 202 $ 1,022 Peripheral Intervention (b) 871 640 1,511 917 657 1,574 728 511 1,239 Urology and Critical Care (b) 815 315 1,130 787 323 1,110 536 240 777 Total segment revenues $ 2,577 $ 1,186 $ 3,762 $ 2,682 $ 1,244 $ 3,926 $ 2,084 $ 953 $ 3,037 Total Company revenues $ 9,716 $ 7,401 $ 17,117 $ 9,730 $ 7,560 $ 17,290 $ 8,768 $ 7,215 $ 15,983 (a) The amounts in fiscal years 2019 and 2018 reflect the reclassification of U.S. revenues of $11 million and $17 million, respectively, associated with the movement, effective on October 1, 2019, of certain products from the Medication Delivery Solutions unit to the Medication Management Solutions unit. (b) The amounts in fiscal years 2019 and 2018 reflect the total reclassifications of $130 million and $134 million, respectively, of U.S. revenues and $55 million and $60 million, respectively, of international revenues associated with the movement, effective on October 1, 2019, of certain products from the Surgery unit and the Urology and Critical Care unit to the Peripheral Intervention unit. (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 2018 Income Before Income Taxes Medical (a) (b) (c) (d) $ 2,274 $ 2,824 $ 2,624 Life Sciences (e) 1,405 1,248 1,207 Interventional (c) (f) 724 903 306 Total Segment Operating Income 4,403 4,976 4,137 Acquisitions and other restructurings (309) (480) (740) Net interest expense (521) (627) (641) Other unallocated items (g) (2,587) (2,693) (1,583) Total Income Before Income Taxes $ 985 $ 1,176 $ 1,173 Assets Medical $ 23,007 $ 22,925 $ 23,493 Life Sciences 4,713 4,135 4,225 Interventional 21,619 22,157 23,219 Total Segment Assets 49,339 49,217 50,938 Corporate and All Other (h) 4,673 2,548 2,966 Total Assets $ 54,012 $ 51,765 $ 53,904 Capital Expenditures Medical $ 477 $ 577 $ 560 Life Sciences 192 230 255 Interventional 119 120 65 Corporate and All Other 22 30 14 Total Capital Expenditures $ 810 $ 957 $ 895 Depreciation and Amortization Medical $ 1,104 $ 1,073 $ 1,028 Life Sciences 286 284 275 Interventional 750 881 658 Corporate and All Other 14 14 17 Total Depreciation and Amortization $ 2,154 $ 2,253 $ 1,978 (a) The amount in 2020 includes a probable estimate of future costs within the Medication Management Solutions unit associated with remediation efforts related to BD Alaris TM infusion pumps of $244 million, which was recorded to Cost of products sold. Based on the course of remediation efforts, it is possible that the estimate of future costs could increase over time. (b) The amounts in 2019 included $75 million of estimated remediation costs recorded to Other operating expense, net relating to a recall of a product component, which generally pre-dated the Company's acquisition of CareFusion in fiscal year 2015, within the Medication Management Solutions unit's infusion systems platform. (c) The amounts in 2018 included expense related to the recognition of a $478 million fair value step-up adjustment related to Bard's inventory on the acquisition date. The step-up adjustments recognized by the Medical and Interventional segments in 2018 were $60 million and $418 million, respectively. (d) The amounts in 2020 included $41 million of charges to Cost of products sol d to write down the value of fixed assets primarily in the Medication Delivery Solutions and Pharmaceutical Systems units; 2018 included $58 million of charges to Cost of products sold to write down the value of fixed assets primarily in the Diabetes Care unit. (e) The amounts in 2020 included charges of $57 million to write down the carrying value of certain intangible and other assets in the Biosciences and Integrated Diagnostic Solutions units; 2018 included charges of $81 million to write down the carrying value of certain intangible and other assets in the Biosciences unit. (f) The amount in 2019 included a charge of $30 million recorded to write down the carrying value of certain intangible assets in the Surgery unit. (g) Primarily comprised of foreign exchange, certain general and administrative expenses and share-based compensation expense. The amounts in 2020 and 2019 included pre-tax charges of $378 million and $914 million, respectively, related to certain product liability matters, which is further discussed in Note 5. The 2019 amount also included the pre-tax gain recognized on the Company's sale of its Advanced Bioprocessing business of approximately $336 million, which is further discussed in Note 11. The amount in 2018 included the pre-tax gain recognized on the Company's sale of its non-controlling interest in Vyaire Medical of approximately $303 million. (h) Includes cash and investments and corporate assets. Geographic Information The countries in which the Company has local revenue-generating operations have been combined into the following geographic areas: the United States (including Puerto Rico); Europe; Greater Asia (which includes countries in Greater China, Japan, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Korea, and Australia and New Zealand); and Other, which is comprised of Latin America (which includes Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and South America), Canada, and EMA (which includes the Commonwealth of Independent States, Middle East and Africa). Revenues to unaffiliated customers are generally based upon the source of the product shipment. Long-lived assets, which include net property, plant and equipment, are based upon physical location. (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 2018 Revenues United States $ 9,716 $ 9,730 $ 8,768 Europe 3,480 3,359 3,298 Greater Asia 2,568 2,726 2,460 Other 1,353 1,476 1,457 $ 17,117 $ 17,290 $ 15,983 Long-Lived Assets United States $ 36,468 $ 37,053 $ 38,982 Europe 5,835 5,483 5,640 Greater Asia 1,521 1,328 851 Other 808 861 645 Corporate 411 377 375 $ 45,043 $ 45,101 $ 46,494

Share-Based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Share-Based Compensation	Share-Based CompensationThe Company grants share-based awards under the 2004 Employee and Director Equity-Based Compensation Plan (“2004 Plan”), which provides long-term incentive compensation to employees and directors consisting of: stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), performance-based restricted stock units, time-vested restricted stock units and other stock awards. The fair value of share-based payments is recognized as compensation expense in net income. The amounts and location of compensation cost relating to share-based payments included in the consolidated statements of income is as follows: (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 2018 Cost of products sold $ 40 $ 37 $ 36 Selling and administrative expense 150 145 136 Research and development expense 34 32 29 Acquisitions and other restructurings 20 50 130 $ 245 $ 265 $ 332 Tax benefit associated with share-based compensation costs recognized $ 57 $ 62 $ 79 Upon the Company's acquisition of Bard in 2018, certain pre-acquisition equity awards of Bard were converted into either BD SARs or BD restricted stock awards, as applicable. These awards have substantially the same terms and conditions as the converted Bard awards immediately prior to the acquisition date. Compensation expense of $16 million, $40 million and $126 million associated with these replacement awards was recorded in Acquisitions and other restructurings in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Stock Appreciation Rights SARs represent the right to receive, upon exercise, shares of common stock having a value equal to the difference between the market price of common stock on the date of exercise and the exercise price on the date of grant. SARs vest over a period of four years and have a term of ten years. The fair value was estimated on the date of grant using a lattice-based binomial option valuation model that uses the following weighted-average assumptions: 2020 2019 2018 Risk-free interest rate 1.69% 3.05% 2.32% Expected volatility 19.0% 18.0% 19.0% Expected dividend yield 1.24% 1.27% 1.33% Expected life 7.4 years 7.2 years 7.4 years Fair value derived $48.82 $51.86 $46.10 Expected volatility is based upon historical volatility for the Company’s common stock and other factors. The expected life of SARs granted is derived from the output of the lattice-based model, using assumed exercise rates based on historical exercise and termination patterns, and represents the period of time that SARs granted are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free interest rate used is based upon the published U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for instruments with a similar life. The dividend yield is based upon the most recently declared quarterly dividend as of the grant date. The Company issued 0.8 million shares during 2020 to satisfy the SARs exercised. A summary of SARs outstanding as of September 30, 2020 and changes during the year then ended is as follows: SARs (in Weighted Weighted Aggregate Balance at October 1 6,899 $ 144.84 Granted 874 255.22 Exercised (1,295) 101.81 Forfeited, canceled or expired (140) 220.82 Balance at September 30 6,337 $ 167.17 5.66 $ 441 Vested and expected to vest at September 30 6,152 $ 165.02 5.58 $ 440 Exercisable at September 30 4,483 $ 137.60 4.59 $ 429 A summary of SARs exercised 2020, 2019 and 2018 is as follows: (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 2018 Total intrinsic value of SARs exercised $ 212 $ 260 $ 333 Total fair value of SARs vested $ 46 $ 66 $ 107 Performance-Based and Time-Vested Restricted Stock Units Performance-based restricted stock units cliff vest three years after the date of grant. These units are tied to the Company’s performance against pre-established targets over a performance period of three years. The performance measures for fiscal year 2020 were average annual currency-neutral revenue growth and average annual return on invested capital, with the combined factor subject to adjustment based on the Company's relative total shareholder return (measures the Company’s stock performance during the performance period against that of peer companies). For fiscal years 2019 and 2018, the performance measures were relative total shareholder return and average annual return on invested capital. Under the Company’s long-term incentive program, the actual payout under these awards may vary from zero to 200% of an employee’s target payout, based on the Company’s actual performance over the performance period of three years. In fiscal year 2020, the Company also issued additional performance-based time-vested units to certain key executives, which cliff vest three years after the date of grant and are tied to the Company’s performance against average annual growth in the Company’s Adjusted EPS over a performance period of three years. No shares will be issuable if the performance targets have not been met. The fair value is based on the market price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant. Compensation cost initially recognized assumes that the target payout level will be achieved and is adjusted for subsequent changes in the expected outcome of performance-related conditions. For units for which the performance conditions are modified after the date of grant, any incremental increase in the fair value of the modified units, over the original units, is recorded as compensation expense on the date of the modification for vested units, or over the remaining performance period for units not yet vested. Time-vested restricted stock unit awards vest on a graded basis over a period of three years, except for certain key executives of the Company, including the executive officers, for which such units generally vest one year following the employee’s retirement. The related share-based compensation expense is recorded over the requisite service period, which is the vesting period or is based on retirement eligibility. The fair value of all time-vested restricted stock units is based on the market value of the Company’s stock on the date of grant. A summary of restricted stock units outstanding as of September 30, 2020 and changes during the year then ended is as follows: Performance-Based Time-Vested Stock Units (in Weighted Stock Units (in Weighted Balance at October 1 955 $ 221.73 2,068 $ 210.48 Granted 371 245.06 736 249.94 Distributed (77) 174.92 (676) 211.19 Forfeited or canceled (286) 188.32 (431) 215.56 Balance at September 30 962 (a) $ 244.42 1,697 $ 226.01 Expected to vest at September 30 241 (b) $ 244.82 1,622 $ 225.22 (a) Based on 200% of target payout for performance based restricted units and 100% of the performance based time-vested units. (b) Net of expected forfeited units and units in excess of the expected performance payout of 66 thousand and 655 thousand shares, respectively. The weighted average grant date fair value of restricted stock units granted during the years 2020, 2019 and 2018 are as follows: Performance-Based Time-Vested 2020 2019 2018 2020 2019 2018 Weighted average grant date fair value of units granted $ 245.06 $ 237.55 $ 251.75 $ 249.94 $ 235.50 $ 216.06 The total fair value of stock units vested during 2020, 2019 and 2018 was as follows: Performance-Based Time-Vested (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 2018 2020 2019 2018 Total fair value of units vested $ 27 $ 33 $ 31 $ 211 $ 254 $ 362 At September 30, 2020, the weighted average remaining vesting term of performance-based and time vested restricted stock units is 1.26 and 0.84 years, respectively. Unrecognized Compensation Expense and Other Stock Plans The amount of unrecognized compensation expense for all non-vested share-based awards as of September 30, 2020, is approximately $245 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average remaining life of approximately 1.89 years. At September 30, 2020, 10.2 million shares were authorized for future grants under the 2004 Plan. The Company has a policy of satisfying share-based payments through either open market purchases or shares held in treasury. At September 30, 2020, the Company has sufficient shares held in treasury to satisfy these payments. As of September 30, 2020, 96 thousand shares were held in trust relative to a Director's Deferral plan, which provides a means to defer director compensation, from time to time, on a deferred stock or cash basis. Also as of September 30, 2020, 289 thousand shares were issuable under a Deferred Compensation Plan that allows certain highly-compensated employees, including executive officers, to defer salary, annual incentive awards and certain equity-based compensation.

Benefit Plans

Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Benefit Plans	Benefit Plans The Company has defined benefit pension plans covering certain employees in the United States and certain international locations. Postretirement healthcare and life insurance benefits provided to qualifying domestic retirees as well as other postretirement benefit plans in international countries are not material. The measurement date used for the Company’s employee benefit plans is September 30. As a result of the Company’s conclusion to merge the legacy Bard pension plan into the BD defined benefit cash balance pension plan, the assets and liabilities of the legacy Bard U.S. defined pension benefit plan will be remeasured as of October 31, 2020. Amendments to this plan were approved and communicated to affected employees in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021. The legacy Bard U.S. pension plan has been frozen to prevent new participants since January 1, 2011. Effective January 1, 2018, the legacy BD U.S. pension plan was frozen to limit the participation of employees who are hired or re-hired by the Company, or who transfer employment to the Company, on or after January 1, 2018. Net pension cost for the years ended September 30 included the following components: Pension Plans (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 2018 Service cost $ 153 $ 134 $ 136 Interest cost 84 107 90 Expected return on plan assets (188) (180) (154) Amortization of prior service credit (13) (13) (13) Amortization of loss 97 78 78 Settlements 4 10 2 Net pension cost $ 137 $ 135 $ 137 Net pension cost included in the preceding table that is attributable to international plans $ 41 $ 32 $ 34 The amounts provided above for amortization of prior service credit and amortization of loss represent the reclassifications of prior service credits and net actuarial losses that were recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in prior periods. The settlement losses recorded in 2020, 2019 and 2018 included lump sum benefit payments associated with certain plans. The Company recognizes pension settlements when payments from the plan exceed the sum of service and interest cost components of net periodic pension cost associated with the plan for the fiscal year. All components of the Company’s net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs, aside from service cost, are recorded to Other income, net on its consolidated statements of income. The change in benefit obligation, change in fair value of pension plan assets, funded status and amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for these plans were as follows: Pension Plans (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 Change in benefit obligation: Beginning obligation $ 3,731 $ 3,246 Service cost 153 134 Interest cost 84 107 Plan amendments — 3 Benefits paid (186) (153) Impact of acquisitions (divestitures) 10 (9) Actuarial loss 104 514 Settlements (17) (63) Other, includes translation 74 (49) Benefit obligation at September 30 $ 3,953 $ 3,731 Change in fair value of plan assets: Beginning fair value $ 2,926 $ 2,642 Actual return on plan assets 222 279 Employer contribution 42 258 Benefits paid (186) (153) Impact of acquisitions (divestitures) 7 (7) Settlements (17) (63) Other, includes translation 51 (30) Plan assets at September 30 $ 3,045 $ 2,926 Funded Status at September 30: Unfunded benefit obligation $ (908) $ (804) Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Other $ 16 $ 11 Salaries, wages and related items (23) (22) Long-term Employee Benefit Obligations (901) (793) Net amount recognized $ (908) $ (804) Amounts recognized in Accumulated other Prior service credit $ 31 $ 44 Net actuarial loss (1,281) (1,289) Net amount recognized $ (1,250) $ (1,246) International pension plan assets at fair value included in the preceding table were $935 million and $859 million at September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The international pension plan projected benefit obligations were $1.321 billion and $1.244 billion at September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The benefit obligation associated with postretirement healthcare and life insurance plans provided to qualifying domestic retirees, which was largely recorded to Long-Term Employee Benefit Obligations, was $148 million and $153 million at September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets and plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets consist of the following at September 30: Accumulated Benefit Projected Benefit (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Projected benefit obligation $ 3,844 $ 3,623 $ 3,920 $ 3,698 Accumulated benefit obligation $ 3,703 $ 3,476 Fair value of plan assets $ 2,936 $ 2,821 $ 2,996 $ 2,882 The estimated net actuarial loss and prior service credit that will be amortized from Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into net pension costs over the next fiscal year for pension benefits and other postretirement benefits are not material. The weighted average assumptions used in determining pension plan information were as follows: 2020 2019 2018 Net Cost Discount rate: U.S. plans (a) 3.21 % 4.26 % 3.71 % International plans 1.39 2.30 2.30 Expected return on plan assets: U.S. plans 7.25 7.25 7.20 International plans 5.05 4.98 4.95 Rate of compensation increase: U.S. plans 4.29 4.29 4.51 International plans 2.35 2.36 2.31 Benefit Obligation Discount rate: U.S. plans 2.80 3.21 4.26 International plans 1.44 1.39 2.30 Rate of compensation increase: U.S. plans 4.30 4.29 4.29 International plans 2.20 2.35 2.36 (a) The Company calculated the service and interest components utilizing an approach that discounts the individual expected cash flows using the applicable spot rates derived from the yield curve over the projected cash flow period. Expected Rate of Return on Plan Assets The expected rate of return on plan assets is based upon expectations of long-term average rates of return to be achieved by the underlying investment portfolios. In establishing this assumption, the Company considers many factors, including historical assumptions compared with actual results; benchmark data; expected returns on various plan asset classes, as well as current and expected asset allocations. Expected Funding The Company’s funding policy for its defined benefit pension plans is to contribute amounts sufficient to meet legal funding requirements, plus any additional amounts that may be appropriate considering the funded status of the plans, tax consequences, the cash flow generated by the Company and other factors. The Company made a discretionary contribution of $200 million to its BD U.S. pension in October 2018. The Company did not make any required contributions in 2020 and does not anticipate any significant required contributions to its pension plans in 2021. Expected benefit payments are as follows: (Millions of dollars) Pension 2021 $ 209 2022 162 2023 171 2024 176 2025 186 2026-2030 1,068 Expected benefit payments associated with postretirement healthcare plans are immaterial to the Company's consolidated financial results. Investments The Company’s primary objective is to achieve returns sufficient to meet future benefit obligations. It seeks to generate above market returns by investing in more volatile asset classes such as equities while at the same time controlling risk through diversification in non-correlated asset classes and through allocations to more stable asset classes like fixed income. U.S. Plans The Company’s U.S. pension plans comprise 69% of total benefit plan investments, based on September 30, 2020 market values, and have a target asset mix of 40% fixed income, 25% diversifying investments and 35% equities. This mix was established based on an analysis of projected benefit payments and estimates of long-term returns, volatilities and correlations for various asset classes. The asset allocations to diversifying investments include high-yield bonds, hedge funds, real estate, infrastructure, leveraged loans and emerging markets bonds. The actual portfolio investment mix may, from time to time, deviate from the established target mix due to various factors such as normal market fluctuations, the reliance on estimates in connection with the determination of allocations and normal portfolio activity such as additions and withdrawals. Rebalancing of the asset portfolio on a quarterly basis is required to address any allocations that deviate from the established target allocations in excess of defined allowable ranges. The target allocations are subject to periodic review, including a review of the asset portfolio’s performance, by the named fiduciary of the plans. Any tactical deviations from the established asset mix require the approval of the named fiduciary. The U.S. plans may enter into both exchange traded and non-exchange traded derivative transactions in order to manage interest rate exposure, volatility, term structure of interest rates, and sector and currency exposures within the fixed income portfolios. The Company has established minimum credit quality standards for counterparties in such transactions. The following table provides the fair value measurements of U.S. plan assets, as well as the measurement techniques and inputs utilized to measure fair value of these assets, at September 30, 2020 and 2019. The categorization of fund investments is based upon the categorization of these funds’ underlying assets. (Millions of dollars) Total U.S. Investments Measured at Net Asset Value (a) Quoted Prices in Significant Significant 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 Fixed Income: Corporate bonds 656 401 — — 273 48 383 353 — — Government and agency-U.S. 95 108 — — 74 85 21 23 — — Government and agency-Foreign 40 85 — — — 69 40 16 — — Other fixed income 141 37 — — — — 141 37 — — Equity securities 737 922 43 782 694 140 — — — — Cash and cash equivalents 147 254 — — 147 254 — — — — Other 291 261 151 124 141 138 — — — — Fair value of plan assets $ 2,108 $ 2,068 $ 193 $ 906 $ 1,330 $ 733 $ 584 $ 429 $ — $ — (a) As per applicable disclosure requirements, certain investments that were measured at net asset value per share or its equivalent have not been categorized within the fair value hierarchy. Values of such assets are based on the corroborated net asset value provided by the fund administrator. Fixed Income Securities U.S. pension plan assets categorized above as fixed income securities include fund investments comprised of corporate and government and agency investments. Investments in corporate bonds are diversified across industry and sector and consist of investment-grade, as well as high-yield debt instruments. U.S. government investments consist of obligations of the U.S. Treasury, other U.S. government agencies, state governments and local municipalities. Assets categorized as foreign government and agency debt securities included investments in developed and emerging markets. The values of fixed income investments classified within Level 1 are based on the closing price reported on the major market on which the investments are traded. A portion of the fixed income instruments classified within Level 2 are valued based upon estimated prices from independent vendors’ pricing models and these prices are derived from market observable sources including: benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, benchmark securities, bids, offers and other market-related data. Equity Securities U.S. pension plan assets categorized as equity securities consist of fund investments in publicly-traded U.S. and non-U.S. equity securities. In order to achieve appropriate diversification, these portfolios are invested across market sectors, investment styles, capitalization weights and geographic regions. The values of equity securities classified within Level 1 are based on the closing price reported on the major market on which the investments are traded. Upon the adoption of ASU 2018-09, as previously discussed in Note 2, equity securities measured at NAV in prior periods have been classified within Level 1 at September 30, 2020. These assets have a readily determinable fair value based on published prices obtained from fund managers which represent the price at which the instruments can be redeemed at period end. The U.S. pension plan has no future funding commitments associated with these investments and has the right to redeem them upon one day’s notice, at any time and without restriction. Cash and Cash Equivalents A portion of the U.S. plans’ assets consists of investments in cash and cash equivalents, primarily to accommodate liquidity requirements relating to trade settlement and benefit payment activity, and the values of these assets are based upon quoted market prices. Other Securities Other U.S. pension plan assets include fund investments comprised of hedge funds. The values of such instruments classified within Level 1 are based on the closing price reported on the major market on which the investments are traded. International Plans International plan assets comprise 31% of the Company’s total benefit plan assets, based on market value at September 30, 2020. Such plans have local independent fiduciary committees, with responsibility for development and oversight of investment policy, including asset allocation decisions. In making such decisions, consideration is given to local regulations, investment practices and funding rules. The following table provides the fair value measurements of international plan assets, as well as the measurement techniques and inputs utilized to measure fair value of these assets, at September 30, 2020 and 2019. (Millions of dollars) Total International Investments Measured at Net Asset Value (a) Quoted Prices in Significant Significant 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 Fixed Income: Corporate bonds $ 34 $ 33 $ — $ — $ 15 $ 15 $ 19 $ 18 $ — $ — Government and agency-U.S. 3 3 — — — — 3 3 — — Government and agency-Foreign 212 199 — — 115 105 97 94 — — Other fixed income 102 100 — — 63 63 39 37 — — Equity securities 335 319 — 14 335 305 — — — — Cash and cash equivalents 12 8 — — 12 8 — — — — Real estate 34 30 — — — — 24 30 10 — Insurance contracts 131 113 — — — — — — 131 113 Other 72 53 — — 70 52 1 1 — — Fair value of plan assets $ 935 $ 859 $ — $ 14 $ 611 $ 549 $ 183 $ 182 $ 141 $ 113 (a) As per applicable disclosure requirements, certain investments that were measured at net asset value per share or its equivalent have not been categorized within the fair value hierarchy. Values of such assets are based on the corroborated net asset value provided by the fund administrator. (b) Changes in the fair value of international pension assets measured using Level 3 inputs for the years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 were immaterial. Fixed Income Securities Fixed income investments held by international pension plans include corporate, U.S. government and non-U.S. government securities. The values of fixed income securities classified within Level 1 are based on the closing price reported on the major market on which the investments are traded. Values of investments classified within Level 2 are based upon estimated prices from independent vendors’ pricing models and these prices are derived from market observable sources. Equity Securities Equity securities included in the international plan assets consist of publicly-traded U.S. and non-U.S. equity securities. The values of equity securities classified within Level 1 are based on the closing price reported on the major market on which the investments are traded. As noted above, equity securities measured at NAV in prior periods have been classified within Level 1 at September 30, 2020 as these assets have a readily determinable fair value based on published prices obtained from fund managers which represent the price at which the instruments can be redeemed at period end. The international plans holding these securities have no future funding commitments associated with these investments and has the right to redeem them upon one day’s notice, at any time and without restriction. Other Securities The international plans hold a portion of assets in cash and cash equivalents, in order to accommodate liquidity requirements and the values are based upon quoted market prices. Real estate investments consist of investments in funds holding an interest in real properties and the corresponding values represent the estimated fair value based on the fair value of the underlying investment value or cost, adjusted for any accumulated earnings or losses. The values of insurance contracts approximately represent cash surrender value. Other investments include fund investments for which values are based upon either quoted market prices or market observable sources. Defined Contribution Plans

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions	Acquisitions Bard On December 29, 2017, the Company completed its acquisition of Bard, to create a medical technology company which is uniquely positioned to improve both the treatment of disease for patients and the process of care for health care providers. The operating activities of Bard from the acquisition date through December 31, 2017 were not material to the Company’s consolidated results of operations. As such, Bard's operating results were included in the Company’s consolidated results of operations beginning on January 1, 2018. The acquisition-date fair value of consideration transferred consisted of the components below. The fair value of the shares and equity awards issued as consideration was recognized as a $6.5 billion increase to Capital in excess of par value and a $2.1 billion decrease to Common stock in treasury. (Millions of dollars) Cash consideration $ 16,400 Non-cash consideration-fair value of shares issued 8,004 Non-cash consideration-fair value of equity awards issued 613 Total consideration transferred $ 25,017 Transaction Costs Transaction costs related to this acquisition incurred during the years ended September 30, 2018 were approximately $56 million. These transaction costs were recorded as Acquisitions and other restructurings and consisted of legal, advisory and other costs. See Note 12 for discussion regarding restructuring costs incurred relative to the Bard acquisition. Unaudited Pro Forma Information As noted above, Bard's operating activities from the acquisition date through December 31, 2017 were not material and the Company included Bard in its consolidated results of operations beginning on January 1, 2018. Revenues in 2018 were $3 billion. Net Income in 2018 included loss attributable to Bard of $(107) million. The following table provides the pro forma results for the fiscal year 2018 as if Bard had been acquired as of October 1, 2016. (Millions of dollars, except per share data) 2018 Revenues $ 16,947 Net Income $ 390 Diluted Earnings per Share $ 0.90 The pro forma results above include the impact of the following adjustments, as necessary: additional amortization and depreciation expense relating to assets acquired; interest and other financing costs relating to the acquisition transaction; and the elimination of one-time or nonrecurring items. The one-time or nonrecurring items eliminated for the year ended September 30, 2018 were primarily comprised of fair value step-up adjustments of $478 million recorded relative to Bard's inventory on the acquisition date, the transaction costs discussed above, as well as certain Bard-related restructuring costs disclosed in Note 12. In addition, amounts previously reported by Bard as revenues related to a royalty income stream have been reclassified to Other income (expense), net to conform to the Company's reporting classification. The pro forma results do not include any anticipated cost savings or other effects of the planned integration of Bard. Accordingly, the pro forma results above are not necessarily indicative of the results that would have been if the acquisition had occurred on the dates indicated, nor are the pro forma results indicative of results which may occur in the future.

Divestiture

Divestiture	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Divestiture	Divestitures Advanced Bioprocessing In October 2018, the Company completed the sale of its Life Sciences segment's Advanced Bioprocessing business. The Company recognized a pre-tax gain on the sale of approximately $336 million which was recorded as a component of Other operating expense, net in fiscal year 2019. Vyaire Medical In April 2018, the Company completed the sale of its non-controlling interest in Vyaire Medical. The Company received gross cash proceeds of approximately $435 million and recognized a pre-tax gain on the sale of approximately $303 million, which was recognized in Other income, net .

Business Restructuring Charges

Business Restructuring Charges	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Business Restructuring Charges	Business Restructuring Charges In connection with the Company's 2018 acquisition of Bard, the 2015 acquisition of CareFusion and portfolio rationalization initiatives, the Company incurred restructuring costs which were largely recorded within Acquisitions and other restructurings on its consolidated statements of income. Restructuring liability activity in 2020, 2019 and 2018 was as follows: Employee Termination Other Total (Millions of dollars) Bard Other Initiatives (a) Bard (b) Other Initiatives (a) Bard Other Initiatives (a) Balance at September 30, 2017 $ — $ 49 $ — $ 6 $ — $ 55 Charged to expense 136 30 156 22 292 52 Cash payments (103) (56) (3) (23) (106) (79) Non-cash settlements — — (153) (1) (153) (1) Balance at September 30, 2018 $ 33 $ 23 $ — $ 4 $ 33 $ 27 Charged to expense 23 29 95 33 118 62 Cash payments (34) (21) (5) (31) (39) (52) Non-cash settlements — — (89) (3) (89) (3) Balance at September 30, 2019 $ 22 $ 31 $ 1 $ 3 $ 23 $ 34 Charged to expense 7 13 42 33 49 46 Cash payments (14) (27) (18) (31) (32) (58) Non-cash settlements — — (24) (2) (24) (2) Balance at September 30, 2020 $ 15 $ 17 $ 1 $ 3 $ 16 $ 20 (a) Restructuring costs in 2020 primarily related to simplification and other cost saving initiatives implemented in fiscal 2020, while 2019 and 2018 included expenses related to the Company's acquisition of CareFusion in fiscal year 2015 and other initiatives. (b) Expenses in 2020, 2019 and 2018 largely represented the costs associated with the conversion of certain pre-acquisition equity awards of Bard which, to encourage post-acquisition employee retention, were converted to BD equity awards with substantially the same terms and conditions as were applicable under such Bard awards immediately prior to the acquisition date. Expenses in 2018 also included costs relating to Bard’s pension plan, partially offset by a gain on the sale of the Company's soft tissue core needle biopsy product line recorded in fiscal year 2018.

Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets	Intangible Assets Intangible assets at September 30 consisted of: 2020 2019 (Millions of dollars) Gross Accumulated Gross Accumulated Amortized intangible assets Developed technology $ 14,105 $ 3,959 $ 13,960 $ 2,906 Customer relationships 4,616 1,509 4,608 1,183 Product rights 119 73 110 60 Trademarks 408 120 407 102 Patents and other 500 320 445 305 Amortized intangible assets $ 19,748 $ 5,981 $ 19,530 $ 4,555 Unamortized intangible assets Acquired in-process research and development (a) $ 44 $ 1 Trademarks 2 2 Unamortized intangible assets $ 46 $ 3 (a) The increase in the carrying value of assets in 2020 was attributable to an immaterial acquisition which occurred during the second quarter of fiscal year 2020. Intangible amortization expense was $1.384 billion, $1.497 billion and $1.255 billion in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The increase in intangible amortization expense beginning in 2019 was attributable to the first full year amortization of assets acquired in the Bard transaction, which is further discussed in Note 10. The estimated aggregate amortization expense for the fiscal years ending September 30, 2021 to 2025 are as follows: 2021 — $1.387 billion; 2022 — $1.377 billion; 2023 — $1.359 billion; 2024 — $1.357 billion; 2025 — $1.357 billion. The following is a reconciliation of goodwill by business segment: (Millions of dollars) Medical Life Sciences Interventional Total Goodwill as of September 30, 2018 $ 10,054 $ 775 $ 12,771 $ 23,600 Divestitures and related adjustments (a) — 3 — 3 Purchase price allocation adjustments (b) (15) — (75) (90) Currency translation (50) (6) (81) (137) Goodwill as of September 30, 2019 $ 9,989 $ 772 $ 12,615 $ 23,376 Acquisitions (c) 10 58 49 117 Purchase price allocation adjustments — 1 4 5 Currency translation 44 7 71 122 Goodwill as of September 30, 2020 $ 10,044 $ 837 $ 12,739 $ 23,620 (a) Represents adjustments to goodwill derecognized upon the Company's sale of certain businesses, as further discussed in Note 11. (b) The purchase price allocation adjustments were primarily driven by adjustments to tax-related balances recorded upon the finalization of the Bard acquisition allocation within one year of the transaction's closing.

Derivative Instruments and Hedg

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities The Company uses derivative instruments to mitigate certain exposures. The Company does not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The effects these derivative instruments and hedged items have on financial position, financial performance, and cash flows are provided below. Foreign Currency Risks and Related Strategies The Company has foreign currency exposures throughout Europe, Greater Asia, Canada and Latin America. Transactional currency exposures that arise from entering into transactions, generally on an intercompany basis, in non-hyperinflationary countries that are denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are mitigated primarily through the use of forward contracts. In order to mitigate foreign currency exposure relating to its investments in certain foreign subsidiaries, the Company has hedged the currency risk associated with those investments with instruments, such as foreign currency-denominated debt, cross-currency swaps and currency exchange contracts, which are designated as net investment hedges. Hedges of the transactional foreign exchange exposures resulting primarily from intercompany payables and receivables are undesignated hedges. As such, the gains or losses on these instruments are recognized immediately in income. These gains and losses are largely offset by gains and losses on the underlying hedged items, as well as the hedging costs associated with the derivative instruments. The net amounts recognized in Other income, net , during the years ending September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were immaterial to the Company's consolidated financial results. The total notional amounts of the Company’s outstanding foreign exchange contracts as of September 30, 2020 and 2019 were $2.5 billion and $2.3 billion, respectively. Certain of the Company's foreign currency-denominated long-term notes outstanding, which had a total carrying value of $1.5 billion and $1.4 billion, as of September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, were designated as, and were effective as, economic hedges of net investments in certain of the Company's foreign subsidiaries. The Company has entered into cross-currency swaps, all of which are designated and effective as economic hedges of net investments in certain of the Company's foreign subsidiaries. The notional amounts of the cross-currency swaps were $3.0 billion and $2.3 billion as of September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Net gains or losses relating to the net investment hedges, which are attributable to changes in the foreign currencies to U.S. dollar spot exchange rates, are recorded as accumulated foreign currency translation in Other comprehensive income (loss) . Upon the termination of a net investment hedge, any net gain or loss included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) relative to the investment hedge remains until the foreign subsidiary investment is disposed of or is substantially liquidated. Net (losses) gains recorded to Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) relating to the Company's net investment hedges as of September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were as follows: (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 2018 Foreign currency-denominated debt $ (106) $ 138 81 Cross-currency swaps $ (109) $ 73 — Foreign currency forward contract (a) $ — $ (9) — (a) Represented a loss recognized on a forward contract which was entered into and terminated in fiscal year 2019. Interest Rate Risks and Related Strategies The Company’s policy is to manage interest rate exposure using a mix of fixed and variable rate debt. The Company periodically uses interest rate swaps to manage such exposures. Under these interest rate swaps, the Company exchanges, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed and floating interest amounts calculated by reference to an agreed-upon notional principal amount. These swaps are designated as either fair value or cash flow hedges. For interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges (i.e., hedges against the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset or a liability or an identified portion thereof that is attributable to a particular risk), changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps offset changes in the fair value of the fixed rate debt due to changes in market interest rates. The total notional amount of the Company’s outstanding interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges was $375 million at September 30, 2020 and 2019. The outstanding swaps represent fixed-to-floating interest rate swap agreements the Company entered into to convert the interest payments on certain long-term notes from the fixed rate to a floating interest rate based on LIBOR. Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps offset changes in the fair value of the fixed rate debt. The amounts recorded during the years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 for changes in the fair value of these hedges were immaterial to the Company's consolidated financial results. Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges (i.e., hedging the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows that is attributable to a particular risk) are recorded in Other comprehensive income (loss) . If interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are terminated, the balance in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to those derivatives is reclassified into earnings over the remaining life of the hedged debt. The net realized loss related to terminated interest rate swaps expected to be reclassified and recorded in Interest expense within the next 12 months is $6 million, net of tax. The total notional amount of the Company's outstanding forward starting interest rate swaps was $1.5 billion at September 30, 2020 and 2019. The Company entered into these contracts in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2019 to mitigate its exposure to interest rate risk. The Company recorded after-tax losses of $75 million in Other comprehensive income (loss) relating to these interest rate hedges during the year ended September 30, 2020. The amounts recognized in other comprehensive income relating to interest rate hedges during the year ended 2019 were immaterial. Other Risk Exposures The Company purchases resins, which are oil-based components used in the manufacture of certain products. Significant increases in world oil prices that lead to increases in resin purchase costs could impact future operating results. From time to time, the Company has managed price risks associated with these commodity purchases through commodity derivative forward contracts. The Company had no outstanding commodity derivative forward contracts at September 30, 2020. The Company's outstanding commodity derivative forward contracts at September 30, 2019 were immaterial to the Company's consolidated financial results. Financial Statement Effects The fair values of derivative instruments outstanding at September 30, 2020 and 2019 were not material to the Company's consolidated balance sheets. The amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income relating to cash flow hedges during 2020, 2019 and 2018 were not material to the Company's consolidated financial results.

Financial Instruments and Fair

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements	Financial Instruments and Fair Value MeasurementsThe following reconciles cash and equivalents and restricted cash reported within the Company's consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2020 and 2019 to the total of these amounts shown on the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows: (Millions of dollars) September 30, 2020 September 30, 2019 Cash and equivalents $ 2,825 $ 536 Restricted cash 92 54 Cash and equivalents and restricted cash $ 2,917 $ 590 The Company’s cash and equivalents include institutional money market accounts, which permit daily redemption, and an ultra-short bond fund. The fair values of these investments are based upon the quoted prices in active markets provided by the holding financial institutions, which are considered Level 1 inputs in the fair value hierarchy. The fair values of these accounts were $1.549 billion and $39 million at September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Company’s remaining cash and equivalents, excluding restricted cash, were $1.276 billion and $497 million at September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Short-term investments are held to their maturities and are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. The short-term investments consist of instruments with maturities greater than three months and less than one year. Long-term debt is recorded at amortized cost. The fair value of long-term debt is measured based upon quoted prices in active markets for similar instruments, which are considered Level 2 inputs in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of long-term debt was $19.0 billion and $19.2 billion at September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The fair value of the current portion of long-term debt was $702 million and $1.3 billion at September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. All other instruments measured by the Company at fair value, including derivatives and contingent consideration liabilities, are immaterial to the Company's consolidated balance sheets. Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements In fiscal year 2020, the Company recorded charges to Cost of products sold of $57 million to write down the carrying values of certain intangible and other assets in the Biosciences and Integrated Diagnostic Solutions units, and $41 million to write down the value of fixed assets primarily in the Medication Delivery Solutions and Pharmaceutical Systems units. In fiscal years 2019, the Company recorded a charge to Research and development expense of $30 million to Cost of products sold to write down the carrying values of certain intangible assets in the Surgery unit. In fiscal year 2018, the Company recorded charges of $58 million to write down the value of fixed assets, primarily in the Diabetes Care unit, as well as charges of $81 million to write down the carrying value of certain intangible and other assets in the Biosciences unit. The amounts recognized in 2020, 2019 and 2018 were recorded to adjust the carrying amount of assets to the assets' fair values, which were estimated, based upon a market participant's perspective, using either Level 2 inputs, including quoted prices for similar assets, or Level 3 inputs, including values estimated using the income approach. Concentration of Credit Risk The Company maintains cash deposits in excess of government-provided insurance limits. Such cash deposits are exposed to loss in the event of nonperformance by financial institutions. Substantially all of the Company’s trade receivables are due from public and private entities involved in the healthcare industry. Due to the large size and diversity of the Company’s customer base, concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables are limited. The Company does not normally require collateral. The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by financial institutions with which it conducts business. However, this loss is limited to the amounts, if any, by which the obligations of the counterparty to the financial instrument contract exceed the obligations of the Company. The Company also minimizes exposure to credit risk by dealing with a diversified group of major financial institutions. The Company continually evaluates its accounts receivables for potential collection risks particularly those resulting from sales to government-owned or government-supported healthcare facilities in certain countries as payment may be dependent upon the financial stability and creditworthiness of those countries’ national economies. The Company continually evaluates all governmental receivables for potential collection

Debt

Debt	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Debt Short-term debt The carrying value of Short-term debt , net of unamortized debt issuance costs, at September 30 consisted of: (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 Current portion of long-term debt 0.174% Notes due June 4, 2021 701 — 2.404% Notes due June 5, 2020 — 999 2.675% Notes due December 15, 2019 — 300 Other 5 10 Total short-term debt $ 707 $ 1,309 The weighted average interest rates for short-term debt were 0.20% and 2.48% at September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Long-term debt The carrying value of Long-Term Debt , net of unamortized debt issuance costs, at September 30 consisted of: (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 3.250% Notes due November 12, 2020 (a) — 699 Floating Rate Notes due December 29, 2020 (a) — 748 0.174% Notes due June 4, 2021 — 651 3.125% Notes due November 8, 2021 1,008 1,004 2.894% Notes due June 6, 2022 1,797 1,795 Floating Rate Notes due June 6, 2022 499 498 1.000% Notes due December 15, 2022 584 542 Revolving Credit Facility due December 29, 2022 — 480 3.300% Notes due March 1, 2023 295 295 1.401% Notes due May 24, 2023 350 325 0.632% Notes due June 4, 2023 933 867 3.875% Notes due May 15, 2024 180 181 3.363% Notes due June 6, 2024 1,742 1,740 3.734% Notes due December 15, 2024 1,370 1,369 3.020% Notes due May 24, 2025 320 306 1.208% Notes due June 4, 2026 699 649 6.700% Notes due December 1, 2026 172 174 1.900% Notes due December 15, 2026 582 541 3.700% Notes due June 6, 2027 1,715 1,714 7.000% Debentures due August 1, 2027 175 175 6.700% Debentures due August 1, 2028 174 175 2.823% Notes due May 20, 2030 (b) 743 — 6.000% Notes due May 15, 2039 246 246 5.000% Notes due November 12, 2040 124 124 4.875% Notes due May 15, 2044 247 248 4.685% Notes due December 15, 2044 1,044 1,045 4.669% Notes due June 6, 2047 1,485 1,485 3.794% Notes due May 20, 2050 (b) 742 — Other long-term debt — 5 Total Long-Term Debt $ 17,224 $ 18,081 (a) All of the aggregate principal amount outstanding was redeemed during 2020, as further discussed below. (b) Represents notes issued during 2020, as further discussed below. The aggregate annual maturities of debt including interest during the fiscal years ending September 30, 2021 to 2025 are as follows: 2021 — $1.2 billion; 2022 — $3.8 billion; 2023 — $2.6 billion; 2024 — $2.3 billion; 2025 — $2.0 billion. Other current credit facilities The Company has a five commitments made by the lenders, to access up to an additional $500 million in financing through the facility for a maximum aggregate commitment of $2.75 billion. In April 2020, the Company entered into a supplement to the facility agreement which increased the revolving commitments available under the facility by $381 million. As such, borrowings provided for under the agreement increased from $2.25 billion to $2.63 billion. The Company is also able to issue up to $100 million in letters of credit under this revolving credit facility. Proceeds from this facility are used to fund general corporate needs. There were no borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility at September 30, 2020 and borrowings outstanding at September 30, 2019 were $485 million. In addition, the Company has informal lines of credit outside of the United States. The Company had no commercial paper borrowings outstanding as of September 30, 2020. 2020 Debt-Related Transactions In March 2020, the Company entered into a 364-day senior unsecured term loan facility with borrowing capacity available of $2.0 billion. During the third quarter of fiscal year 2020, the Company repaid $1.9 billion of borrowings outstanding under this term loan with cash on hand and terminated the facility. In May 2020, the Company issued $750 million of 2.823% notes due May 20, 2030 and $750 million of 3.794% notes due May 20, 2050. The Company used the net proceeds from this long-term debt offering, together with cash on hand, to repay the entire $1.000 billion aggregate principal outstanding on the 2.404% notes due June 5, 2020, and to redeem $500 million of the aggregate principal outstanding on the 3.250% notes due November 12, 2020, as well as accrued interest, related premiums, fees and expenses related to these repaid amounts. The Company redeemed this long-term debt at an aggregate market price of $506 million. The carrying value of these long-term notes was $500 million, and the Company recognized a loss on this debt extinguishment of $6 million, which was recorded in June 2020 within Other income, net , on the Company’s consolidated statements of income. In September 2020, the Company redeemed the remaining $200 million of its outstanding 3.25% notes due November 12, 2020, and $750 million of its floating rate notes due December 29, 2020. Based upon the aggregate $950 million carrying value of the notes redeemed and the $951 million the Company paid to redeem the aggregate principal amount of the notes, the Company recorded a loss on these debt extinguishment transactions in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020 of $1 million within Other income, net , on its consolidated statements of income. 2019 Debt-Related Transactions In March 2019, the Company redeemed an aggregate principal amount of $250 million of its outstanding floating rate senior unsecured U.S. notes due December 29, 2020. Based upon the $249 million carrying value of the notes redeemed and the $250 million the Company paid to redeem the aggregate principal amount of the notes, the Company recorded a loss on this debt extinguishment transaction in the second quarter of fiscal year 2019 of $1 million within Other income, net , on its consolidated statements of income. In June 2019, Becton Dickinson Euro Finance S.à r.l., a private limited liability company (société à responsabilité limitée), which is an indirect, wholly-owned finance subsidiary of the Company, issued Euro-denominated debt consisting of 600 million Euros ($672 million) of 0.174% notes due June 4, 2021, 800 million Euros ($896 million) of 0.632% notes due June 4, 2023, and 600 million Euros ($672 million) of 1.208% notes due June 4, 2026. The notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the Company. No other of the Company's subsidiaries provide any guarantees with respect to these notes. The indenture covenants included a limitation on liens and a restriction on sale and leasebacks, change of control and consolidation, merger and sale of assets covenants. These covenants are subject to a number of exceptions, limitations and qualifications. The indenture did not restrict the Company, Becton Dickinson Euro Finance S.à r.l., or any other of the Company's subsidiaries from incurring additional debt or other liabilities, including additional senior debt. Additionally, the indenture did not restrict Becton Dickinson Euro Finance S.à r.l. and the Company from granting security interests over its assets. The Company used the net proceeds from this long-term debt offering, together with cash on hand, to repay all the 1.000 billion Euros ($1.120 billion) of principal outstanding on 0.368% notes due June 6, 2019, as well as to fund the Company's repurchase of certain of its long-term senior notes outstanding. Under this cash tender offer, the Company repurchased the following aggregate principal amounts of its long-term debt at an aggregate market price of $1.169 billion: Interest Rate and Maturity Aggregate 3.700% Notes due June 6, 2027 $ 675 5.000% Notes due November 12, 2040 175 4.875% Notes due May 15, 2044 75 4.685% Notes due December 15, 2044 175 Total notes purchased $ 1,100 The carrying value of these long-term notes was $1.112 billion, and the Company recognized a loss on this debt extinguishment of $57 million, which was recorded in June 2019 within Other income, net , on the Company’s consolidated statements of income. In September 2019, the Company redeemed an aggregate principal amount of $825 million of its outstanding 2.675% notes due December 15, 2019. Based upon the $825 million carrying value of the notes redeemed and the $826 million the Company paid to redeem the aggregate principal amount of the notes, the Company recorded a loss on this debt extinguishment transaction in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2019 of $1 million within Other income, net , on its consolidated statements of income. During the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company fully repaid its borrowings outstanding on a 364-day senior unsecured term loan facility that the Company entered in September 2018. Capitalized interest The Company capitalizes interest costs as a component of the cost of construction in progress. A summary of interest costs and payments for the years ended September 30 is as follows: (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 2018 Charged to operations $ 528 $ 639 $ 706 Capitalized 43 44 42 Total interest costs $ 571 $ 683 $ 748 Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized $ 515 $ 658 $ 674

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes Provision for Income Taxes The provision (benefit) for income taxes the years ended September 30 consisted of: (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 2018 Current: Federal $ (50) $ 235 $ 665 State and local, including Puerto Rico 47 41 73 Foreign 400 300 387 $ 397 $ 576 $ 1,124 Deferred: Domestic $ (184) $ (577) $ (201) Foreign (101) (56) (61) (286) (633) (262) Income tax provision (benefit) $ 111 $ (57) $ 862 The components of Income Before Income Taxes for the years ended September 30 consisted of: (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 2018 Domestic, including Puerto Rico $ (489) $ 799 $ (135) Foreign 1,474 377 1,308 Income Before Income Taxes $ 985 $ 1,176 $ 1,173 U.S. tax legislation, commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Act"), was enacted on December 22, 2017. The Act reduced the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, required companies to pay a one-time transition tax on earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries that were previously tax deferred, and created new taxes on certain foreign-sourced earnings. The Act subjects a U.S. shareholder to tax on global intangible low-taxed income ("GILTI") earned by certain foreign subsidiaries. The Company has elected to account for its GILTI tax due as a period expense in the year the tax is incurred. During fiscal year 2019, the Company finalized its accounting for the income tax effects of the Act, and all adjustments related to finalization of its calculations were included as a component of Income tax provision (benefit) in fiscal year 2019. The Company recognized additional tax benefit of $50 million and additional tax cost of $640 million in 2019 and 2018, respectively, as a result of this legislation. These amounts are reflected in the Company's consolidated statements of income within Income tax provision (benefit) . During fiscal year 2019, the Company also changed its assertion with respect to historical unremitted foreign earnings, which resulted in a total tax benefit of $138 million, of which $67 million is related to the tax legislation benefit previously recorded, and is included as a component of Income tax provision (benefit) in fiscal 2019. The Company asserts indefinite reinvestment for all historical unremitted foreign earnings as of September 30, 2020. Unrecognized Tax Benefits The table below summarizes the gross amounts of unrecognized tax benefits without regard to reduction in tax liabilities or additions to deferred tax assets and liabilities if such unrecognized tax benefits were settled. The Company believes it is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized benefits will change due to one or more of the following events in the next twelve months: expiring statutes, audit activity, tax payments, other activity, or final decisions in matters that are the subject of controversy in various taxing jurisdictions in which we operate. (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 2018 Balance at October 1 $ 577 $ 601 $ 407 Increase due to acquisitions 1 3 140 Increase due to current year tax positions 35 11 43 Increase due to prior year tax positions 76 6 43 Decreases due to prior year tax positions (49) (39) — Decrease due to settlements with tax authorities (4) — (29) Decrease due to lapse of statute of limitations (16) (5) (3) Balance at September 30 $ 620 $ 577 $ 601 Upon the Company's acquisition of CareFusion in 2015, the Company became a party to a tax matters agreement with Cardinal Health resulting from Cardinal Health's spin-off of CareFusion in fiscal year 2010. Under the tax matters agreement, the Company is obligated to indemnify Cardinal Health for certain tax exposures and transaction taxes prior to CareFusion’s spin-off from Cardinal Health. The indemnification payable is approximately $164 million at September 30, 2020 and is included in Deferred Income Taxes and Other Liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. At September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, there are $719 million, $624 million and $632 million of unrecognized tax benefits that if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate. During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company reported interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits of $1 million, $26 million and $20 million on the consolidated statements of income as a component of Income tax provision (benefit) . The Company conducts business and files tax returns in numerous countries and currently has tax audits in progress in a number of tax jurisdictions. The IRS has completed its audit for fiscal year 2014 for the BD business prior to its acquisition of CareFusion. The IRS has also completed its audit for fiscal years 2015 and 2017 for the combined BD and CareFusion business. The IRS is currently examining the CareFusion legacy fiscal year 2014 and short period 2015, as well as BD's combined company for fiscal years 2016, 2018, and 2019. With regard to Bard, all examinations have been completed through calendar year 2014, and calendar years 2015, 2016, and 2017 are currently under examination by the IRS. For the other major tax jurisdictions where the Company conducts business, tax years are generally open after 2012. Deferred Income Taxes Deferred income taxes at September 30 consisted of: 2020 2019 (Millions of dollars) Assets Liabilities Assets Liabilities Compensation and benefits $ 554 $ — $ 513 $ — Property and equipment — 361 — 312 Intangibles — 2,408 — 2,624 Loss and credit carryforwards 1,900 — 1,327 — Product recall and liability reserves 241 — 182 — Other 501 137 396 74 3,196 2,906 2,417 3,011 Valuation allowance (1,820) — (1,240) — Net (a) $ 1,376 $ 2,906 $ 1,177 $ 3,011 (a) Net deferred tax assets are included in Other Assets and net deferred tax liabilities are included in Deferred Income Taxes and Other Liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets . Deferred tax assets and liabilities are netted on the balance sheet by separate tax jurisdictions. Deferred taxes have not been provided on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries as of September 30, 2020 since the determination of the total amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability is not practicable. Generally, deferred tax assets have been established as a result of net operating losses and credit carryforwards with expiration dates from 2021 to an unlimited expiration date. Valuation allowances have been established as a result of an evaluation of the uncertainty associated with the realization of certain deferred tax assets on these losses and credit carryforwards. The valuation allowance at September 30, 2020 is primarily the result of foreign losses due to the Company’s global re-organization of its foreign entities and these generally have no expiration date. Valuation allowances are also maintained with respect to deferred tax assets for certain federal and state carryforwards that may not be realized and that principally expire in 2022. Tax Rate Reconciliation A reconciliation of the federal statutory tax rate to the Company’s effective income tax rate was as follows: 2020 2019 2018 Federal statutory tax rate 21.0 % 21.0 % 24.5 % New U.S. tax legislation (see discussion above) — (4.3) 54.6 State and local income taxes, net of federal tax benefit (1.9) 0.1 0.8 Foreign income tax at rates other than 21% (14.8) (6.6) (11.7) Effect of foreign operations 19.1 (5.5) 19.0 Effect of Research Credits and FDII/Domestic Production Activities (5.0) (3.3) (2.8) Effect of tax benefit relating to share-based compensation (4.5) (3.9) (6.1) Effect of gain on divestitures (4.5) (2.0) 1.3 Effect of uncertain tax position — — 3.3 Effect of valuation allowance release — — (4.8) Effect of application for change in accounting method — — (4.5) Effect of nondeductible compensation — — 1.6 Other, net 1.9 (0.3) (1.7) Effective income tax rate 11.3 % (4.8) % 73.5 % The fluctuations in the Company’s reported tax rates are primarily due to the Act, the effects of which were recorded in fiscal years 2018 and 2019, as well as the geographical mix of income attributable to foreign countries that have income tax rates that vary from the U.S. tax rate. Tax Holidays and Payments The approximate tax impact related to tax holidays in various countries in which the Company does business were $136 million, $(43) million and $107 million, in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The impact of the tax holiday on diluted earnings per share was approximately $0.48, $(0.16) and $0.40 for fiscal years 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The tax holidays expire at various dates through 2028. The Company made income tax payments, net of refunds, of $518 million in 2020, $536 million in 2019 and $235 million in 2018.

Leases, Codification Topic 842

Leases, Codification Topic 842	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Leases of Lessee Disclosure	Leases The Company leases real estate, vehicles and other equipment which are used in the Company’s manufacturing, administrative and research and development activities. The Company identifies a contract that contains a lease as one which conveys a right, either explicitly or implicitly, to control the use of an identified asset in exchange for consideration. The Company’s lease arrangements are generally classified as operating leases. These arrangements have remaining terms ranging from less than one year to approximately 25 years and the weighted-average remaining lease term of the Company’s leases is approximately 7.3 years. An option to renew or terminate the current term of a lease arrangement is included in the lease term if the Company is reasonably certain to exercise that option. The Company does not recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability for short-term leases, which have terms of 12 months or less, on its consolidated balance sheet. For the longer-term lease arrangements that are recognized on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet, the right-of-use asset and lease liability is initially measured at the commencement date based upon the present value of the lease payments due under the lease. These payments represent the combination of the fixed lease and fixed non-lease components that are due under the arrangement. The costs associated with the Company’s short-term leases, as well as variable costs relating to the Company’s lease arrangements, are not material to its consolidated financial results. The implicit interest rates of the Company’s lease arrangements are generally not readily determinable and as such, the Company applies an incremental borrowing rate, which is established based upon the information available at the lease commencement date, to determine the present value of lease payments due under an arrangement. The weighted-average incremental borrowing rate that has been applied to measure the Company’s lease liabilities is 2.2%. The Company’s lease cost recorded in its consolidated statements of income for the year ended September 30, 2020 was $131 million under the new lease accounting standard. Rental expense for all operating leases amounted to $169 million and $149 million in 2019 and 2018, respectively, under the previous accounting standard. Cash payments arising from the Company’s lease arrangements are reflected on its consolidated statement of cash flows as outflows used for operating activities. The right-of-use assets and lease liabilities recognized on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2020 were as follows: (Millions of dollars) September 30, 2020 Right-of-use assets recorded in Other Assets $ 418 Current lease liabilities recorded in Accrued expenses $ 106 Non-current lease liabilities recorded in Deferred Income Taxes and Other Liabilities $ 336 The Company’s payments due under its operating leases are as follows: (Millions of dollars) 2021 $ 115 2022 96 2023 63 2024 41 2025 32 Thereafter 142 Total payments due 489 Less: imputed interest 47 Total $ 442 The Company’s future minimum rental commitments on non-cancelable leases at September 30, 2019, prior to the adoption of the new lease accounting standard, were estimated as follows: (Millions of dollars) 2020 $ 122 2021 103 2022 83 2023 57 2024 56 Thereafter 123 Total $ 546

Supplemental Financial Informat

Supplemental Financial Information	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Supplemental Financial Information	Supplemental Financial Information Other Income, Net (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 2018 Royalty and licensing income (a) $ 17 $ 64 $ 51 Other investment gains, net 13 18 8 Deferred compensation 24 6 3 Net pension and postretirement benefit cost (b) 7 (2) (13) Losses on undesignated foreign exchange derivatives, net (17) (23) (14) Losses on debt extinguishment (c) (8) (59) (16) Product related matters (9) — — Hurricane-related insurance proceeds — 35 — Vyaire Medical-related amounts and other income from divestitures (d) — 6 288 Other (3) (2) (3) Other income, net $ 23 $ 43 $ 305 (a) The amount in 2020 primarily represents licensing income. The amounts in 2019 and 2018 primarily represent the royalty income stream acquired in the Bard transaction, net of non-cash purchase accounting amortization. The royalty income stream was previously reported by Bard as revenues. (b) Represents all components of the Company’s net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs, aside from service cost, as a result of the adoption of an accounting standard as further discussed in Note 2. (c) Represents losses recognized upon the extinguishment of certain senior notes, as further discussed in Note 16. (d) The amount in 2019 represents income from transition services agreements (“TSA”) related to the Company’s 2018 and 2017 divestitures. The amount in 2018 includes the gain on the sale of the remaining ownership interest in its former Respiratory Solutions business and subsequent TSA income, net of the Company's share of equity investee results in the business. Additional disclosures regarding the Company’s divestiture transactions are provided in Note 11. Trade Receivables, Net The amounts recognized in 2020, 2019 and 2018 relating to allowances for doubtful accounts and cash discounts, which are netted against trade receivables, are provided in the following table: (Millions of dollars) Allowance for Allowance for Total Balance at September 30, 2017 $ 54 $ 4 $ 58 Additions charged to costs and expenses 31 58 89 Deductions and other (11) (a) (50) (61) Balance at September 30, 2018 $ 75 $ 12 $ 86 Additions charged to costs and expenses 31 94 125 Deductions and other (31) (a) (92) (123) Balance at September 30, 2019 $ 75 $ 13 $ 88 Additions charged to costs and expenses 40 39 78 Deductions and other (35) (a) (38) (73) Balance at September 30, 2020 $ 80 $ 14 $ 94 (a) Accounts written off. Inventories Inventories at September 30 consisted of: (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 Materials $ 602 $ 544 Work in process 335 318 Finished products 1,806 1,717 $ 2,743 $ 2,579 Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net at September 30 consisted of: (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 Land $ 166 $ 164 Buildings 3,082 2,842 Machinery, equipment and fixtures 8,454 7,932 Leasehold improvements 216 190 11,919 11,128 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 5,996 5,469 $ 5,923 $ 5,659

Supplementary Data (Unaudited)

Supplementary Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Supplemental Financial Data (Unaudited)	SUPPLEMENTARY QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED) Millions of dollars, except per share amounts 2020 1 st 2 nd 3 rd 4 th Year (a) Revenues $ 4,225 $ 4,253 $ 3,855 $ 4,784 $ 17,117 Gross Profit 1,978 1,734 1,659 2,206 7,577 Net Income 278 183 286 128 874 Earnings per Share: (b) Basic 0.88 0.53 0.98 0.36 2.75 Diluted 0.87 0.53 0.97 0.36 2.71 2019 1 st 2 nd 3 rd 4 th Year (a) Revenues $ 4,160 $ 4,195 $ 4,350 $ 4,584 $ 17,290 Gross Profit 1,974 1,974 2,074 2,266 8,288 Net Income 599 20 451 163 1,233 Earnings (loss) per Share: Basic 2.09 (0.07) 1.53 0.46 4.01 Diluted 2.05 (0.07) 1.51 0.45 3.94 (a) Quarterly amounts may not add to the year-to-date totals due to rounding. Earnings per share amounts are calculated from the underlying whole-dollar amounts. (b) The sum of diluted earnings per share for the quarters of 2020 do not equal the year-to-date amount due to the impact of shares issued during this fiscal year on the weighted average common shares included in the calculations of diluted earnings per share. Additional disclosures regarding shares issued are provided in Note 3.

Summary of Significant Accoun_2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of Becton, Dickinson and Company (the “Company” or "BD") have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP"). Within the financial statements and tables presented, certain columns and rows may not add due to the use of rounded numbers for disclosure purposes. Percentages and earnings per share amounts presented are calculated from the underlying amounts. Our fiscal year ends on September 30.
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the Company’s accounts and those of its majority-owned subsidiaries after the elimination of intercompany transactions. The Company has no material interests in variable interest entities.
Cash Equivalents	Cash Equivalents Cash equivalents consist of all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at time of purchase.
Restricted Cash	Restricted Cash Restricted cash consists of cash restricted from withdrawal and usage and largely represents funds that are restricted for certain product liability matters assumed in the acquisition of C.R. Bard, Inc. ("Bard"), which are further discussed in Note 5.
Trade and Financing Receivables	Trade Receivables The Company grants credit to customers in the normal course of business and the resulting trade receivables are stated at their net realizable value. The allowance for doubtful accounts represents the Company’s estimate of probable credit losses relating to trade receivables and is determined based on historical experience and other specific account data. Amounts are written off against the allowances for doubtful accounts when the Company determines that a customer account is uncollectable.
Inventories	Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of approximate cost determined on the first-in, first-out basis or market.
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and EquipmentProperty, plant and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are principally provided on the straight-line basis over estimated useful lives, which range from 20 to 45 years for buildings, four one
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets The Company’s unamortized intangible assets include goodwill which arise from acquisitions of businesses. The Company currently reviews goodwill for impairment using quantitative models. Goodwill is reviewed at least annually for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is defined as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment, referred to as a component. The Company’s reporting units generally represent one level below reporting segments. Potential impairment of goodwill is generally identified by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit, estimated using an income approach, with its carrying value. The annual impairment review performed on July 1, 2020 indicated that all identified reporting units’ fair values exceeded their respective carrying values. Amortized intangible assets include developed technology assets which arise from acquisitions. These assets represent acquired intellectual property that is already technologically feasible upon the acquisition date or acquired in-process research and development assets that are completed subsequent to acquisition. Developed technology assets are generally amortized over periods ranging from 15 to 20 years, using the straight-line method. Customer relationship assets are generally amortized over periods ranging from 10 to 15 years, using the straight-line method. Other intangibles with finite useful lives, which include patents, are amortized over periods principally ranging from one
Foreign Currency Translation	Foreign Currency Translation Generally, foreign subsidiaries’ functional currency is the local currency of operations and the net assets of foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars using current exchange rates. The U.S. dollar results that arise from such translation, as well as exchange gains and losses on intercompany balances of a long-term investment nature, are included in the foreign currency translation adjustments in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes revenue from product sales when the customer obtains control of the product, which is generally upon shipment or delivery, depending on the delivery terms specified in the sales agreement. Revenues associated with certain instruments and equipment for which installation is complex, and therefore significantly affects the customer’s ability to use and benefit from the product, are recognized upon customer acceptance of these installed products. Revenue for certain service arrangements, including extended warranty and software maintenance contracts, is recognized ratably over the contract term. When arrangements include multiple performance obligations, the total transaction price of the contract is allocated to each performance obligation based on the estimated relative standalone selling prices of the promised goods or services underlying each performance obligation. Variable consideration such as rebates, sales discounts and sales returns are estimated and treated as a reduction of revenue in the same period the related revenue is recognized. These estimates are based on contractual terms, historical practices, and current trends, and are adjusted as new information becomes available. Revenues exclude any taxes that the Company collects from customers and remits to tax authorities. Equipment lease transactions with customers are evaluated and classified as either operating or sales-type leases. Generally, these arrangements are accounted for as operating leases and therefore, revenue is recognized at the contracted rate over the rental period defined within the customer agreement.
Derivative Financial Instruments	Derivative Financial InstrumentsAll derivatives are recorded in the balance sheet at fair value and changes in fair value are recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. Any deferred gains or losses associated with derivative instruments are recognized in income in the period in which the underlying hedged transaction is recognized.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The Company has reviewed its needs in the United States for possible repatriation of undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiaries and continues to invest foreign subsidiaries earnings outside of the United States to fund foreign investments or meet foreign working capital and property, plant and equipment expenditure needs. As a result, the Company is permanently reinvested with respect to all of its historical foreign earnings as of September 30, 2020. Deferred taxes are not provided on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries that are indefinitely reinvested. The determination of the amount of the unrecognized deferred tax liability related to the undistributed earnings is not practicable because of the complexities associated with its hypothetical calculation. The Company conducts business and files tax returns in numerous countries and currently has tax audits in progress in a number of tax jurisdictions. In evaluating the exposure associated with various tax filing positions, the Company records accruals for uncertain tax positions based on the technical support for the positions, past audit experience with similar situations, and the potential interest and penalties related to the matters.
Earnings per Share	Earnings per Share Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock. In computing diluted earnings per share, only potential common shares that are dilutive (i.e., those that reduce earnings per share or increase loss per share) are included in the calculation.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates or assumptions affect reported assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses as reflected in the consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
New Accounting Principle Adopted and New Accounting Principles Not Yet Adopted	New Accounting Principles Adopted In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued a new lease accounting standard which requires lessees to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet, as well as expanded disclosures regarding leasing arrangements. The Company adopted this standard on October 1, 2019, and elected certain practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance, including a transition method which allows application of the new standard at its adoption date, rather than at the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The Company also elected not to perform any reassessments relative to its expired and existing leases upon its adoption of the new requirements. The Company's adoption of this standard did not materially impact its consolidated financial statements. Additional disclosures regarding the Company’s lease arrangements are provided in Note 18. In August 2018, the FASB issued a new accounting standard to align the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal use software license). The Company early adopted this standard as of April 1, 2020 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this standard did not materially impact the Company's consolidated financial statements. In July 2018, the FASB issued accounting standard update (“ASU”) ASU 2018-09, "Codification Improvements", which, among other items, amended an illustrative example of a fair value hierarchy disclosure to indicate that a certain type of investment should not always be considered to be eligible to use the net asset value ("NAV") per share practical expedient. Also, it further clarified that an entity should evaluate whether a readily determinable fair value exists or whether its investments qualify for the NAV practical expedient. The Company early adopted this standard in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020 on a prospective basis, which is reflected in the fair value hierarchy classification of pension assets in Note 9, but does not change the fair value measurements of the investments. On October 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" ("ASC 606") using the modified retrospective method. Under ASC 606, revenue is recognized upon the transfer of control of goods or services to customers and reflects the amount of consideration to which a reporting entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Company assessed the impact of this new standard on its consolidated financial statements based upon a review of contracts that were not completed as of October 1, 2018. Amounts presented in the Company's financial statements for the prior-year periods were not revised and are reflective of the revenue recognition requirements which were in effect for those periods. This accounting standard adoption, which is further discussed in Note 6, did not materially impact any line items of the Company's consolidated income statements and balance sheet. On October 1, 2018, the Company retrospectively adopted an accounting standard update which requires all components of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs to be disaggregated from the service cost component and to be presented on the income statement outside a subtotal of income from operations, if one is presented. Upon the Company's adoption of the accounting standard update, which did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements, all components of the Company’s net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs, aside from service cost, are recorded to Other income, net on its consolidated income statements for all periods presented. Revisions of prior-year amounts were estimated based upon previously disclosed amounts. On October 1, 2018, the Company adopted an accounting standard update which requires that the income tax effects of intercompany sales or transfers of assets, except those involving inventory, be recognized in the income statement as income tax expense (or benefit) in the period that the sale or transfer occurs. The Company adopted this accounting standard update, which did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements, using the modified retrospective method. In the second quarter of its fiscal year 2018, the Company prospectively adopted an accounting standard update relating to the stranded income tax effects on items within Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) resulting from the enactment of new U.S. tax legislation, which legislation is further discussed in Note 17. Additional disclosures regarding this accounting standard adoption are provided in Note 3. New Accounting Principle Not Yet Adopted In June 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard which requires earlier recognition of credit losses on loans and other financial instruments held by entities, including trade receivables. The new standard requires entities to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at each reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Adoption of this new accounting standard on October 1, 2020 will not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Policy Text Block]	Timing of Revenue Recognition The Company's revenues are primarily recognized when the customer obtains control of the product sold, which is generally upon shipment or delivery, depending on the delivery terms specified in the sales agreement. Revenues associated with certain instruments and equipment for which installation is complex, and therefore significantly affects the customer’s ability to use and benefit from the product, are recognized when customer acceptance of these installed products has been confirmed. For certain service arrangements, including extended warranty and software maintenance contracts, revenue is recognized ratably over the contract term. The majority of revenues relating to extended warranty contracts associated with certain instruments and equipment is generally recognized within a few years whereas deferred revenue relating to software maintenance contracts is generally recognized over a longer period. Measurement of Revenues The Company acts as the principal in substantially all of its customer arrangements and as such, generally records revenues on a gross basis. Revenues exclude any taxes that the Company collects from customers and remits to tax authorities. The Company considers its shipping and handling costs to be costs of contract fulfillment and has made the accounting policy election to record these costs within Selling and administrative expense . Payment terms extended to the Company's customers are based upon commercially reasonable terms for the markets in which the Company's products are sold. Because the Company generally expects to receive payment within one year or less from when control of a product is transferred to the customer, the Company does not generally adjust its revenues for the effects of a financing component. The Company’s estimate of probable credit losses relating to trade receivables is determined based on historical experience and other specific account data. Amounts are written off against the allowances for doubtful accounts when the Company determines that a customer account is uncollectable. Such amounts are not material to the Company's consolidated financial results. The Company's gross revenues are subject to a variety of deductions which are recorded in the same period that the underlying revenues are recognized. Such variable consideration includes rebates, sales discounts and sales returns. Because these deductions represent estimates of the related obligations, judgment is required when determining the impact of these revenue deductions on gross revenues for a reporting period. Rebates provided by the Company are based upon prices determined under the Company's agreements with its end-user customers. Additional factors considered in the estimate of the Company's rebate liability include the quantification of inventory that is either in stock at or in transit to the Company's distributors, as well as the estimated lag time between the sale of product and the payment of corresponding rebates. The impact of other forms of variable consideration, including sales discounts and sales returns, is not material to the Company's revenues. Additional disclosures relating to sales discounts and sales returns are provided in Note 19.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Long-term debt is recorded at amortized cost. The fair value of long-term debt is measured based upon quoted prices in active markets for similar instruments, which are considered Level 2 inputs in the fair value hierarchy.
Concentration of Credit Risk	Concentration of Credit Risk The Company maintains cash deposits in excess of government-provided insurance limits. Such cash deposits are exposed to loss in the event of nonperformance by financial institutions. Substantially all of the Company’s trade receivables are due from public and private entities involved in the healthcare industry. Due to the large size and diversity of the Company’s customer base, concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables are limited. The Company does not normally require collateral. The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by financial institutions with which it conducts business. However, this loss is limited to the amounts, if any, by which the obligations of the counterparty to the financial instrument contract exceed the obligations of the Company. The Company also minimizes exposure to credit risk by dealing with a diversified group of major financial institutions. The Company continually evaluates its accounts receivables for potential collection risks particularly those resulting from sales to government-owned or government-supported healthcare facilities in certain countries as payment may be dependent upon the financial stability and creditworthiness of those countries’ national economies. The Company continually evaluates all governmental receivables for potential collection

Leases, Codification Topic 842

Leases, Codification Topic 842 (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Lessee, Leases	The Company identifies a contract that contains a lease as one which conveys a right, either explicitly or implicitly, to control the use of an identified asset in exchange for consideration. The Company’s lease arrangements are generally classified as operating leases. These arrangements have remaining terms ranging from less than one year to approximately 25 years and the weighted-average remaining lease term of the Company’s leases is approximately 7.3 years. An option to renew or terminate the current term of a lease arrangement is included in the lease term if the Company is reasonably certain to exercise that option.The Company does not recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability for short-term leases, which have terms of 12 months or less, on its consolidated balance sheet. For the longer-term lease arrangements that are recognized on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet, the right-of-use asset and lease liability is initially measured at the commencement date based upon the present value of the lease payments due under the lease. These payments represent the combination of the fixed lease and fixed non-lease components that are due under the arrangement.
Short-term Leases	The Company does not recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability for short-term leases, which have terms of 12 months or less, on its consolidated balance sheet.

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	The components and changes of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows: (Millions of dollars) Total Foreign Benefit Plans Cash Flow Balance at September 30, 2017 $ (1,723) $ (1,001) $ (703) $ (18) Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications, net of taxes (142) (161) 19 — Amounts reclassified into income, net of 57 — 52 5 Tax effects reclassified to retained earnings (103) — (99) (4) Balance at September 30, 2018 $ (1,909) $ (1,162) $ (729) $ (17) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of taxes (427) (93) (325) (9) Amounts reclassified into income, net of 52 — 49 3 Balance at September 30, 2019 $ (2,283) $ (1,256) $ (1,005) $ (23) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of taxes (338) (161) (101) (76) Amounts reclassified into income, net of 74 — 66 8 Balance at September 30, 2020 $ (2,548) $ (1,416) $ (1,040) $ (91)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	The tax impacts for amounts recognized in other comprehensive income before reclassifications were as follows: (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 2018 Benefit Plans Income tax benefit (provision) for net (losses) gains recorded in other comprehensive income $ 30 $ 91 $ (19)

Earnings per Share (Tables)

Earnings per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Weighted Average Common Shares Used in Computations of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	The weighted average common shares used in the computations of basic and diluted earnings per share (shares in thousands) for the years ended September 30 were as follows: 2020 2019 2018 Average common shares outstanding 278,971 269,943 258,354 Dilutive share equivalents from share-based plans (a) 3,431 4,832 6,267 Average common and common equivalent shares outstanding — assuming dilution 282,402 274,775 264,621 (a) For the years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, dilutive share equivalents associated with mandatory convertible preferred stock of 9 million, 12 million and 12 million, respectively, were excluded from the diluted shares outstanding calculation because the result would have been antidilutive. The issuance of the convertible preferred stock is further discussed in Note 3. For the years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, there were no options to purchase shares of common stock which were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation.

Commitments and Contingencies F

Commitments and Contingencies Future Minimum Rental Commitments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases	The Company’s future minimum rental commitments on non-cancelable leases at September 30, 2019, prior to the adoption of the new lease accounting standard, were estimated as follows: (Millions of dollars) 2020 $ 122 2021 103 2022 83 2023 57 2024 56 Thereafter 123 Total $ 546

Segment Data (Tables)

Segment Data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Revenue from External Customers by Geographic Areas	Financial information for the Company’s segments is detailed below. The Company has no material intersegment revenues. As discussed in Note 10, the Company completed its acquisition of Bard on December 29, 2017. Bard's operating results were included in the Company’s consolidated results of operations beginning on January 1, 2018. (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 2018 United States International Total United States International Total United States International Total Medical Medication Delivery Solutions (a) $ 1,972 $ 1,583 $ 3,555 $ 2,037 $ 1,811 $ 3,848 $ 1,875 $ 1,752 $ 3,627 Medication Management Solutions (a) 1,865 589 2,454 2,115 525 2,640 1,974 513 2,487 Diabetes Care 562 522 1,084 573 538 1,110 564 541 1,105 Pharmaceutical Systems 404 1,184 1,588 392 1,073 1,465 357 1,040 1,397 Total segment revenues $ 4,802 $ 3,878 $ 8,680 $ 5,116 $ 3,947 $ 9,064 $ 4,770 $ 3,846 $ 8,616 Life Sciences Integrated Diagnostic Solutions Preanalytical Systems $ 769 $ 718 $ 1,487 $ 774 $ 784 $ 1,558 $ 761 $ 792 $ 1,553 Diagnostic Systems 1,103 941 2,045 672 875 1,547 678 858 1,536 Total Integrated Diagnostic Solutions 1,872 1,659 3,532 1,446 1,659 3,106 1,438 1,651 3,089 Biosciences 465 678 1,143 485 709 1,194 475 766 1,241 Total segment revenues $ 2,337 $ 2,337 $ 4,675 $ 1,931 $ 2,368 $ 4,300 $ 1,914 $ 2,416 $ 4,330 Interventional Surgery (b) $ 891 $ 230 $ 1,121 $ 977 $ 264 $ 1,242 $ 820 $ 202 $ 1,022 Peripheral Intervention (b) 871 640 1,511 917 657 1,574 728 511 1,239 Urology and Critical Care (b) 815 315 1,130 787 323 1,110 536 240 777 Total segment revenues $ 2,577 $ 1,186 $ 3,762 $ 2,682 $ 1,244 $ 3,926 $ 2,084 $ 953 $ 3,037 Total Company revenues $ 9,716 $ 7,401 $ 17,117 $ 9,730 $ 7,560 $ 17,290 $ 8,768 $ 7,215 $ 15,983 (a) The amounts in fiscal years 2019 and 2018 reflect the reclassification of U.S. revenues of $11 million and $17 million, respectively, associated with the movement, effective on October 1, 2019, of certain products from the Medication Delivery Solutions unit to the Medication Management Solutions unit.
Financial Information for Company's Segments	(Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 2018 Income Before Income Taxes Medical (a) (b) (c) (d) $ 2,274 $ 2,824 $ 2,624 Life Sciences (e) 1,405 1,248 1,207 Interventional (c) (f) 724 903 306 Total Segment Operating Income 4,403 4,976 4,137 Acquisitions and other restructurings (309) (480) (740) Net interest expense (521) (627) (641) Other unallocated items (g) (2,587) (2,693) (1,583) Total Income Before Income Taxes $ 985 $ 1,176 $ 1,173 Assets Medical $ 23,007 $ 22,925 $ 23,493 Life Sciences 4,713 4,135 4,225 Interventional 21,619 22,157 23,219 Total Segment Assets 49,339 49,217 50,938 Corporate and All Other (h) 4,673 2,548 2,966 Total Assets $ 54,012 $ 51,765 $ 53,904 Capital Expenditures Medical $ 477 $ 577 $ 560 Life Sciences 192 230 255 Interventional 119 120 65 Corporate and All Other 22 30 14 Total Capital Expenditures $ 810 $ 957 $ 895 Depreciation and Amortization Medical $ 1,104 $ 1,073 $ 1,028 Life Sciences 286 284 275 Interventional 750 881 658 Corporate and All Other 14 14 17 Total Depreciation and Amortization $ 2,154 $ 2,253 $ 1,978 (a) The amount in 2020 includes a probable estimate of future costs within the Medication Management Solutions unit associated with remediation efforts related to BD Alaris TM infusion pumps of $244 million, which was recorded to Cost of products sold. Based on the course of remediation efforts, it is possible that the estimate of future costs could increase over time. (b) The amounts in 2019 included $75 million of estimated remediation costs recorded to Other operating expense, net relating to a recall of a product component, which generally pre-dated the Company's acquisition of CareFusion in fiscal year 2015, within the Medication Management Solutions unit's infusion systems platform. (c) The amounts in 2018 included expense related to the recognition of a $478 million fair value step-up adjustment related to Bard's inventory on the acquisition date. The step-up adjustments recognized by the Medical and Interventional segments in 2018 were $60 million and $418 million, respectively. (d) The amounts in 2020 included $41 million of charges to Cost of products sol d to write down the value of fixed assets primarily in the Medication Delivery Solutions and Pharmaceutical Systems units; 2018 included $58 million of charges to Cost of products sold to write down the value of fixed assets primarily in the Diabetes Care unit. (e) The amounts in 2020 included charges of $57 million to write down the carrying value of certain intangible and other assets in the Biosciences and Integrated Diagnostic Solutions units; 2018 included charges of $81 million to write down the carrying value of certain intangible and other assets in the Biosciences unit. (f) The amount in 2019 included a charge of $30 million recorded to write down the carrying value of certain intangible assets in the Surgery unit. (g) Primarily comprised of foreign exchange, certain general and administrative expenses and share-based compensation expense. The amounts in 2020 and 2019 included pre-tax charges of $378 million and $914 million, respectively, related to certain product liability matters, which is further discussed in Note 5. The 2019 amount also included the pre-tax gain recognized on the Company's sale of its Advanced Bioprocessing business of approximately $336 million, which is further discussed in Note 11. The amount in 2018 included the pre-tax gain recognized on the Company's sale of its non-controlling interest in Vyaire Medical of approximately $303 million. (h) Includes cash and investments and corporate assets.
Revenues to Unaffiliated Customers and Long-lived Assets Including Property, Plant and Equipment	Revenues to unaffiliated customers are generally based upon the source of the product shipment. Long-lived assets, which include net property, plant and equipment, are based upon physical location. (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 2018 Revenues United States $ 9,716 $ 9,730 $ 8,768 Europe 3,480 3,359 3,298 Greater Asia 2,568 2,726 2,460 Other 1,353 1,476 1,457 $ 17,117 $ 17,290 $ 15,983 Long-Lived Assets United States $ 36,468 $ 37,053 $ 38,982 Europe 5,835 5,483 5,640 Greater Asia 1,521 1,328 851 Other 808 861 645 Corporate 411 377 375 $ 45,043 $ 45,101 $ 46,494

Share-Based Compensation (Table

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Compensation Cost Relating to Share-Based Payments	The amounts and location of compensation cost relating to share-based payments included in the consolidated statements of income is as follows: (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 2018 Cost of products sold $ 40 $ 37 $ 36 Selling and administrative expense 150 145 136 Research and development expense 34 32 29 Acquisitions and other restructurings 20 50 130 $ 245 $ 265 $ 332 Tax benefit associated with share-based compensation costs recognized $ 57 $ 62 $ 79
Assumptions for Estimation of Fair Values of Stock Appreciation Rights Granted During Reporting Periods	The fair value was estimated on the date of grant using a lattice-based binomial option valuation model that uses the following weighted-average assumptions: 2020 2019 2018 Risk-free interest rate 1.69% 3.05% 2.32% Expected volatility 19.0% 18.0% 19.0% Expected dividend yield 1.24% 1.27% 1.33% Expected life 7.4 years 7.2 years 7.4 years Fair value derived $48.82 $51.86 $46.10
Summary of SARs Outstanding	A summary of SARs outstanding as of September 30, 2020 and changes during the year then ended is as follows: SARs (in Weighted Weighted Aggregate Balance at October 1 6,899 $ 144.84 Granted 874 255.22 Exercised (1,295) 101.81 Forfeited, canceled or expired (140) 220.82 Balance at September 30 6,337 $ 167.17 5.66 $ 441 Vested and expected to vest at September 30 6,152 $ 165.02 5.58 $ 440 Exercisable at September 30 4,483 $ 137.60 4.59 $ 429
Schedule Of Share Based Compensation, Summary of Stock Appreciation Rights Exercised	A summary of SARs exercised 2020, 2019 and 2018 is as follows: (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 2018 Total intrinsic value of SARs exercised $ 212 $ 260 $ 333 Total fair value of SARs vested $ 46 $ 66 $ 107
Summary of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units Outstanding	A summary of restricted stock units outstanding as of September 30, 2020 and changes during the year then ended is as follows: Performance-Based Time-Vested Stock Units (in Weighted Stock Units (in Weighted Balance at October 1 955 $ 221.73 2,068 $ 210.48 Granted 371 245.06 736 249.94 Distributed (77) 174.92 (676) 211.19 Forfeited or canceled (286) 188.32 (431) 215.56 Balance at September 30 962 (a) $ 244.42 1,697 $ 226.01 Expected to vest at September 30 241 (b) $ 244.82 1,622 $ 225.22 (a) Based on 200% of target payout for performance based restricted units and 100% of the performance based time-vested units. (b) Net of expected forfeited units and units in excess of the expected performance payout of 66 thousand and 655 thousand shares, respectively.
Schedule Of Share Based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units, Grant Date Fair Value of Units Granted	The weighted average grant date fair value of restricted stock units granted during the years 2020, 2019 and 2018 are as follows: Performance-Based Time-Vested 2020 2019 2018 2020 2019 2018 Weighted average grant date fair value of units granted $ 245.06 $ 237.55 $ 251.75 $ 249.94 $ 235.50 $ 216.06
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity	The total fair value of stock units vested during 2020, 2019 and 2018 was as follows: Performance-Based Time-Vested (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 2018 2020 2019 2018 Total fair value of units vested $ 27 $ 33 $ 31 $ 211 $ 254 $ 362

Benefit Plans (Tables)

Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Net Pension and Other Postretirement Cost	Net pension cost for the years ended September 30 included the following components: Pension Plans (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 2018 Service cost $ 153 $ 134 $ 136 Interest cost 84 107 90 Expected return on plan assets (188) (180) (154) Amortization of prior service credit (13) (13) (13) Amortization of loss 97 78 78 Settlements 4 10 2 Net pension cost $ 137 $ 135 $ 137 Net pension cost included in the preceding table that is attributable to international plans $ 41 $ 32 $ 34
Change in Benefit Obligation, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets	The change in benefit obligation, change in fair value of pension plan assets, funded status and amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for these plans were as follows: Pension Plans (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 Change in benefit obligation: Beginning obligation $ 3,731 $ 3,246 Service cost 153 134 Interest cost 84 107 Plan amendments — 3 Benefits paid (186) (153) Impact of acquisitions (divestitures) 10 (9) Actuarial loss 104 514 Settlements (17) (63) Other, includes translation 74 (49) Benefit obligation at September 30 $ 3,953 $ 3,731 Change in fair value of plan assets: Beginning fair value $ 2,926 $ 2,642 Actual return on plan assets 222 279 Employer contribution 42 258 Benefits paid (186) (153) Impact of acquisitions (divestitures) 7 (7) Settlements (17) (63) Other, includes translation 51 (30) Plan assets at September 30 $ 3,045 $ 2,926 Funded Status at September 30: Unfunded benefit obligation $ (908) $ (804) Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Other $ 16 $ 11 Salaries, wages and related items (23) (22) Long-term Employee Benefit Obligations (901) (793) Net amount recognized $ (908) $ (804) Amounts recognized in Accumulated other Prior service credit $ 31 $ 44 Net actuarial loss (1,281) (1,289) Net amount recognized $ (1,250) $ (1,246)
Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations	Pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets and plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets consist of the following at September 30: Accumulated Benefit Projected Benefit (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Projected benefit obligation $ 3,844 $ 3,623 $ 3,920 $ 3,698 Accumulated benefit obligation $ 3,703 $ 3,476 Fair value of plan assets $ 2,936 $ 2,821 $ 2,996 $ 2,882
Weighted Average Assumptions Determining Pension Plan	The weighted average assumptions used in determining pension plan information were as follows: 2020 2019 2018 Net Cost Discount rate: U.S. plans (a) 3.21 % 4.26 % 3.71 % International plans 1.39 2.30 2.30 Expected return on plan assets: U.S. plans 7.25 7.25 7.20 International plans 5.05 4.98 4.95 Rate of compensation increase: U.S. plans 4.29 4.29 4.51 International plans 2.35 2.36 2.31 Benefit Obligation Discount rate: U.S. plans 2.80 3.21 4.26 International plans 1.44 1.39 2.30 Rate of compensation increase: U.S. plans 4.30 4.29 4.29 International plans 2.20 2.35 2.36
Expected Benefit Payments	Expected benefit payments are as follows: (Millions of dollars) Pension 2021 $ 209 2022 162 2023 171 2024 176 2025 186 2026-2030 1,068
Fair Value Measurements of U.S. Plan Assets	The following table provides the fair value measurements of U.S. plan assets, as well as the measurement techniques and inputs utilized to measure fair value of these assets, at September 30, 2020 and 2019. The categorization of fund investments is based upon the categorization of these funds’ underlying assets. (Millions of dollars) Total U.S. Investments Measured at Net Asset Value (a) Quoted Prices in Significant Significant 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 Fixed Income: Corporate bonds 656 401 — — 273 48 383 353 — — Government and agency-U.S. 95 108 — — 74 85 21 23 — — Government and agency-Foreign 40 85 — — — 69 40 16 — — Other fixed income 141 37 — — — — 141 37 — — Equity securities 737 922 43 782 694 140 — — — — Cash and cash equivalents 147 254 — — 147 254 — — — — Other 291 261 151 124 141 138 — — — — Fair value of plan assets $ 2,108 $ 2,068 $ 193 $ 906 $ 1,330 $ 733 $ 584 $ 429 $ — $ — (a) As per applicable disclosure requirements, certain investments that were measured at net asset value per share or its equivalent have not been categorized within the fair value hierarchy. Values of such assets are based on the corroborated net asset value provided by the fund administrator.
Fair Value Measurements of Foreign Plan Assets	The following table provides the fair value measurements of international plan assets, as well as the measurement techniques and inputs utilized to measure fair value of these assets, at September 30, 2020 and 2019. (Millions of dollars) Total International Investments Measured at Net Asset Value (a) Quoted Prices in Significant Significant 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 Fixed Income: Corporate bonds $ 34 $ 33 $ — $ — $ 15 $ 15 $ 19 $ 18 $ — $ — Government and agency-U.S. 3 3 — — — — 3 3 — — Government and agency-Foreign 212 199 — — 115 105 97 94 — — Other fixed income 102 100 — — 63 63 39 37 — — Equity securities 335 319 — 14 335 305 — — — — Cash and cash equivalents 12 8 — — 12 8 — — — — Real estate 34 30 — — — — 24 30 10 — Insurance contracts 131 113 — — — — — — 131 113 Other 72 53 — — 70 52 1 1 — — Fair value of plan assets $ 935 $ 859 $ — $ 14 $ 611 $ 549 $ 183 $ 182 $ 141 $ 113 (a) As per applicable disclosure requirements, certain investments that were measured at net asset value per share or its equivalent have not been categorized within the fair value hierarchy. Values of such assets are based on the corroborated net asset value provided by the fund administrator. (b) Changes in the fair value of international pension assets measured using Level 3 inputs for the years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 were immaterial.

Acquisitions (Tables)

Acquisitions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule Of Business Acquisition By Acquisition Fair Value Of Consideration Transferred Table	The acquisition-date fair value of consideration transferred consisted of the components below. The fair value of the shares and equity awards issued as consideration was recognized as a $6.5 billion increase to Capital in excess of par value and a $2.1 billion decrease to Common stock in treasury. (Millions of dollars) Cash consideration $ 16,400 Non-cash consideration-fair value of shares issued 8,004 Non-cash consideration-fair value of equity awards issued 613 Total consideration transferred $ 25,017
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information	The following table provides the pro forma results for the fiscal year 2018 as if Bard had been acquired as of October 1, 2016. (Millions of dollars, except per share data) 2018 Revenues $ 16,947 Net Income $ 390 Diluted Earnings per Share $ 0.90

Business Restructuring Charges

Business Restructuring Charges (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Summary of Restructuring Accrual Activity	Restructuring liability activity in 2020, 2019 and 2018 was as follows: Employee Termination Other Total (Millions of dollars) Bard Other Initiatives (a) Bard (b) Other Initiatives (a) Bard Other Initiatives (a) Balance at September 30, 2017 $ — $ 49 $ — $ 6 $ — $ 55 Charged to expense 136 30 156 22 292 52 Cash payments (103) (56) (3) (23) (106) (79) Non-cash settlements — — (153) (1) (153) (1) Balance at September 30, 2018 $ 33 $ 23 $ — $ 4 $ 33 $ 27 Charged to expense 23 29 95 33 118 62 Cash payments (34) (21) (5) (31) (39) (52) Non-cash settlements — — (89) (3) (89) (3) Balance at September 30, 2019 $ 22 $ 31 $ 1 $ 3 $ 23 $ 34 Charged to expense 7 13 42 33 49 46 Cash payments (14) (27) (18) (31) (32) (58) Non-cash settlements — — (24) (2) (24) (2) Balance at September 30, 2020 $ 15 $ 17 $ 1 $ 3 $ 16 $ 20 (a) Restructuring costs in 2020 primarily related to simplification and other cost saving initiatives implemented in fiscal 2020, while 2019 and 2018 included expenses related to the Company's acquisition of CareFusion in fiscal year 2015 and other initiatives. (b) Expenses in 2020, 2019 and 2018 largely represented the costs associated with the conversion of certain pre-acquisition equity awards of Bard which, to encourage post-acquisition employee retention, were converted to BD equity awards with substantially the same terms and conditions as were applicable under such Bard awards immediately prior to the acquisition date. Expenses in 2018 also included costs relating to Bard’s pension plan, partially offset by a gain on the sale of the Company's soft tissue core needle biopsy product line recorded in fiscal year 2018.

Intangible Assets (Tables)

Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Intangible Assets	Intangible assets at September 30 consisted of: 2020 2019 (Millions of dollars) Gross Accumulated Gross Accumulated Amortized intangible assets Developed technology $ 14,105 $ 3,959 $ 13,960 $ 2,906 Customer relationships 4,616 1,509 4,608 1,183 Product rights 119 73 110 60 Trademarks 408 120 407 102 Patents and other 500 320 445 305 Amortized intangible assets $ 19,748 $ 5,981 $ 19,530 $ 4,555 Unamortized intangible assets Acquired in-process research and development (a) $ 44 $ 1 Trademarks 2 2 Unamortized intangible assets $ 46 $ 3 (a) The increase in the carrying value of assets in 2020 was attributable to an immaterial acquisition which occurred during the second quarter of fiscal year 2020.
Reconciliation of Goodwill by Business Segment	The following is a reconciliation of goodwill by business segment: (Millions of dollars) Medical Life Sciences Interventional Total Goodwill as of September 30, 2018 $ 10,054 $ 775 $ 12,771 $ 23,600 Divestitures and related adjustments (a) — 3 — 3 Purchase price allocation adjustments (b) (15) — (75) (90) Currency translation (50) (6) (81) (137) Goodwill as of September 30, 2019 $ 9,989 $ 772 $ 12,615 $ 23,376 Acquisitions (c) 10 58 49 117 Purchase price allocation adjustments — 1 4 5 Currency translation 44 7 71 122 Goodwill as of September 30, 2020 $ 10,044 $ 837 $ 12,739 $ 23,620 (a) Represents adjustments to goodwill derecognized upon the Company's sale of certain businesses, as further discussed in Note 11. (b) The purchase price allocation adjustments were primarily driven by adjustments to tax-related balances recorded upon the finalization of the Bard acquisition allocation within one year of the transaction's closing.

Derivative Instruments and He_2

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Net Investment Hedges in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Net (losses) gains recorded to Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) relating to the Company's net investment hedges as of September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were as follows: (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 2018 Foreign currency-denominated debt $ (106) $ 138 81 Cross-currency swaps $ (109) $ 73 — Foreign currency forward contract (a) $ — $ (9) — (a) Represented a loss recognized on a forward contract which was entered into and terminated in fiscal year 2019.

Financial Instruments and Fai_2

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Cash and Cash Equivalents	The following reconciles cash and equivalents and restricted cash reported within the Company's consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2020 and 2019 to the total of these amounts shown on the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows: (Millions of dollars) September 30, 2020 September 30, 2019 Cash and equivalents $ 2,825 $ 536 Restricted cash 92 54 Cash and equivalents and restricted cash $ 2,917 $ 590

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Short-Term Debt	The carrying value of Short-term debt , net of unamortized debt issuance costs, at September 30 consisted of: (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 Current portion of long-term debt 0.174% Notes due June 4, 2021 701 — 2.404% Notes due June 5, 2020 — 999 2.675% Notes due December 15, 2019 — 300 Other 5 10 Total short-term debt $ 707 $ 1,309
Summary of Long-Term Debt	The carrying value of Long-Term Debt , net of unamortized debt issuance costs, at September 30 consisted of: (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 3.250% Notes due November 12, 2020 (a) — 699 Floating Rate Notes due December 29, 2020 (a) — 748 0.174% Notes due June 4, 2021 — 651 3.125% Notes due November 8, 2021 1,008 1,004 2.894% Notes due June 6, 2022 1,797 1,795 Floating Rate Notes due June 6, 2022 499 498 1.000% Notes due December 15, 2022 584 542 Revolving Credit Facility due December 29, 2022 — 480 3.300% Notes due March 1, 2023 295 295 1.401% Notes due May 24, 2023 350 325 0.632% Notes due June 4, 2023 933 867 3.875% Notes due May 15, 2024 180 181 3.363% Notes due June 6, 2024 1,742 1,740 3.734% Notes due December 15, 2024 1,370 1,369 3.020% Notes due May 24, 2025 320 306 1.208% Notes due June 4, 2026 699 649 6.700% Notes due December 1, 2026 172 174 1.900% Notes due December 15, 2026 582 541 3.700% Notes due June 6, 2027 1,715 1,714 7.000% Debentures due August 1, 2027 175 175 6.700% Debentures due August 1, 2028 174 175 2.823% Notes due May 20, 2030 (b) 743 — 6.000% Notes due May 15, 2039 246 246 5.000% Notes due November 12, 2040 124 124 4.875% Notes due May 15, 2044 247 248 4.685% Notes due December 15, 2044 1,044 1,045 4.669% Notes due June 6, 2047 1,485 1,485 3.794% Notes due May 20, 2050 (b) 742 — Other long-term debt — 5 Total Long-Term Debt $ 17,224 $ 18,081 (a) All of the aggregate principal amount outstanding was redeemed during 2020, as further discussed below. (b) Represents notes issued during 2020, as further discussed below.
Schedule of Extinguishment of Debt	Under this cash tender offer, the Company repurchased the following aggregate principal amounts of its long-term debt at an aggregate market price of $1.169 billion: Interest Rate and Maturity Aggregate 3.700% Notes due June 6, 2027 $ 675 5.000% Notes due November 12, 2040 175 4.875% Notes due May 15, 2044 75 4.685% Notes due December 15, 2044 175 Total notes purchased $ 1,100
Summary of Interest Costs and Payments	A summary of interest costs and payments for the years ended September 30 is as follows: (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 2018 Charged to operations $ 528 $ 639 $ 706 Capitalized 43 44 42 Total interest costs $ 571 $ 683 $ 748 Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized $ 515 $ 658 $ 674

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Provision for Income Taxes from Continuing Operations	The provision (benefit) for income taxes the years ended September 30 consisted of: (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 2018 Current: Federal $ (50) $ 235 $ 665 State and local, including Puerto Rico 47 41 73 Foreign 400 300 387 $ 397 $ 576 $ 1,124 Deferred: Domestic $ (184) $ (577) $ (201) Foreign (101) (56) (61) (286) (633) (262) Income tax provision (benefit) $ 111 $ (57) $ 862
Components of Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	The components of Income Before Income Taxes for the years ended September 30 consisted of: (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 2018 Domestic, including Puerto Rico $ (489) $ 799 $ (135) Foreign 1,474 377 1,308 Income Before Income Taxes $ 985 $ 1,176 $ 1,173
Summary of Gross Amounts of Unrecognized Tax Benefits	The table below summarizes the gross amounts of unrecognized tax benefits without regard to reduction in tax liabilities or additions to deferred tax assets and liabilities if such unrecognized tax benefits were settled. The Company believes it is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized benefits will change due to one or more of the following events in the next twelve months: expiring statutes, audit activity, tax payments, other activity, or final decisions in matters that are the subject of controversy in various taxing jurisdictions in which we operate. (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 2018 Balance at October 1 $ 577 $ 601 $ 407 Increase due to acquisitions 1 3 140 Increase due to current year tax positions 35 11 43 Increase due to prior year tax positions 76 6 43 Decreases due to prior year tax positions (49) (39) — Decrease due to settlements with tax authorities (4) — (29) Decrease due to lapse of statute of limitations (16) (5) (3) Balance at September 30 $ 620 $ 577 $ 601
Deferred Income Taxes	Deferred income taxes at September 30 consisted of: 2020 2019 (Millions of dollars) Assets Liabilities Assets Liabilities Compensation and benefits $ 554 $ — $ 513 $ — Property and equipment — 361 — 312 Intangibles — 2,408 — 2,624 Loss and credit carryforwards 1,900 — 1,327 — Product recall and liability reserves 241 — 182 — Other 501 137 396 74 3,196 2,906 2,417 3,011 Valuation allowance (1,820) — (1,240) — Net (a) $ 1,376 $ 2,906 $ 1,177 $ 3,011 (a) Net deferred tax assets are included in Other Assets and net deferred tax liabilities are included in Deferred Income Taxes and Other Liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets .
Reconciliation of Federal Statutory Tax Rate to Company's Effective Tax Rate	A reconciliation of the federal statutory tax rate to the Company’s effective income tax rate was as follows: 2020 2019 2018 Federal statutory tax rate 21.0 % 21.0 % 24.5 % New U.S. tax legislation (see discussion above) — (4.3) 54.6 State and local income taxes, net of federal tax benefit (1.9) 0.1 0.8 Foreign income tax at rates other than 21% (14.8) (6.6) (11.7) Effect of foreign operations 19.1 (5.5) 19.0 Effect of Research Credits and FDII/Domestic Production Activities (5.0) (3.3) (2.8) Effect of tax benefit relating to share-based compensation (4.5) (3.9) (6.1) Effect of gain on divestitures (4.5) (2.0) 1.3 Effect of uncertain tax position — — 3.3 Effect of valuation allowance release — — (4.8) Effect of application for change in accounting method — — (4.5) Effect of nondeductible compensation — — 1.6 Other, net 1.9 (0.3) (1.7) Effective income tax rate 11.3 % (4.8) % 73.5 %

Leases, Codification Topic 84_2

Leases, Codification Topic 842 (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity	The Company’s payments due under its operating leases are as follows: (Millions of dollars) 2021 $ 115 2022 96 2023 63 2024 41 2025 32 Thereafter 142 Total payments due 489 Less: imputed interest 47 Total $ 442
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases	The Company’s future minimum rental commitments on non-cancelable leases at September 30, 2019, prior to the adoption of the new lease accounting standard, were estimated as follows: (Millions of dollars) 2020 $ 122 2021 103 2022 83 2023 57 2024 56 Thereafter 123 Total $ 546
Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Related to Leases	The right-of-use assets and lease liabilities recognized on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2020 were as follows: (Millions of dollars) September 30, 2020 Right-of-use assets recorded in Other Assets $ 418 Current lease liabilities recorded in Accrued expenses $ 106 Non-current lease liabilities recorded in Deferred Income Taxes and Other Liabilities $ 336

Supplemental Financial Inform_2

Supplemental Financial Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Schedule of Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	Other Income, Net (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 2018 Royalty and licensing income (a) $ 17 $ 64 $ 51 Other investment gains, net 13 18 8 Deferred compensation 24 6 3 Net pension and postretirement benefit cost (b) 7 (2) (13) Losses on undesignated foreign exchange derivatives, net (17) (23) (14) Losses on debt extinguishment (c) (8) (59) (16) Product related matters (9) — — Hurricane-related insurance proceeds — 35 — Vyaire Medical-related amounts and other income from divestitures (d) — 6 288 Other (3) (2) (3) Other income, net $ 23 $ 43 $ 305 (a) The amount in 2020 primarily represents licensing income. The amounts in 2019 and 2018 primarily represent the royalty income stream acquired in the Bard transaction, net of non-cash purchase accounting amortization. The royalty income stream was previously reported by Bard as revenues. (b) Represents all components of the Company’s net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs, aside from service cost, as a result of the adoption of an accounting standard as further discussed in Note 2. (c) Represents losses recognized upon the extinguishment of certain senior notes, as further discussed in Note 16. (d) The amount in 2019 represents income from transition services agreements (“TSA”) related to the Company’s 2018 and 2017 divestitures. The amount in 2018 includes the gain on the sale of the remaining ownership interest in its former Respiratory Solutions business and subsequent TSA income, net of the Company's share of equity investee results in the business. Additional disclosures regarding the Company’s divestiture transactions are provided in Note 11.
Trade Receivables, Allowances for Doubtful Accounts and Cash Discounts	The amounts recognized in 2020, 2019 and 2018 relating to allowances for doubtful accounts and cash discounts, which are netted against trade receivables, are provided in the following table: (Millions of dollars) Allowance for Allowance for Total Balance at September 30, 2017 $ 54 $ 4 $ 58 Additions charged to costs and expenses 31 58 89 Deductions and other (11) (a) (50) (61) Balance at September 30, 2018 $ 75 $ 12 $ 86 Additions charged to costs and expenses 31 94 125 Deductions and other (31) (a) (92) (123) Balance at September 30, 2019 $ 75 $ 13 $ 88 Additions charged to costs and expenses 40 39 78 Deductions and other (35) (a) (38) (73) Balance at September 30, 2020 $ 80 $ 14 $ 94 (a) Accounts written off.
Inventories	Inventories at September 30 consisted of: (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 Materials $ 602 $ 544 Work in process 335 318 Finished products 1,806 1,717 $ 2,743 $ 2,579
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	Property, Plant and Equipment, Net at September 30 consisted of: (Millions of dollars) 2020 2019 Land $ 166 $ 164 Buildings 3,082 2,842 Machinery, equipment and fixtures 8,454 7,932 Leasehold improvements 216 190 11,919 11,128 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 5,996 5,469 $ 5,923 $ 5,659

Supplementary Data (Unaudited)

Supplementary Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information	SUPPLEMENTARY QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED) Millions of dollars, except per share amounts 2020 1 st 2 nd 3 rd 4 th Year (a) Revenues $ 4,225 $ 4,253 $ 3,855 $ 4,784 $ 17,117 Gross Profit 1,978 1,734 1,659 2,206 7,577 Net Income 278 183 286 128 874 Earnings per Share: (b) Basic 0.88 0.53 0.98 0.36 2.75 Diluted 0.87 0.53 0.97 0.36 2.71 2019 1 st 2 nd 3 rd 4 th Year (a) Revenues $ 4,160 $ 4,195 $ 4,350 $ 4,584 $ 17,290 Gross Profit 1,974 1,974 2,074 2,266 8,288 Net Income 599 20 451 163 1,233 Earnings (loss) per Share: Basic 2.09 (0.07) 1.53 0.46 4.01 Diluted 2.05 (0.07) 1.51 0.45 3.94 (a) Quarterly amounts may not add to the year-to-date totals due to rounding. Earnings per share amounts are calculated from the underlying whole-dollar amounts. (b) The sum of diluted earnings per share for the quarters of 2020 do not equal the year-to-date amount due to the impact of shares issued during this fiscal year on the weighted average common shares included in the calculations of diluted earnings per share. Additional disclosures regarding shares issued are provided in Note 3.

Summary of Significant Accoun_3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization expense	$ 646	$ 633	$ 600
Selling and administrative expense	4,325	4,332	4,016
Shipping and Handling
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Selling and administrative expense	$ 551	$ 511	$ 479
Minimum
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Maturity period of short-term investments at the time of purchase	3 months
Minimum | Core and Developed Technology
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life	15 years
Minimum | Customer relationships
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life	10 years
Minimum | Patents, Trademarks, and Other
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life	1 year
Minimum | Buildings
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	20 years
Minimum | Machinery and Equipment
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	4 years
Minimum | Leasehold Improvements
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	1 year
Maximum
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Maturity period of short-term investments at the time of purchase	1 year
Maximum | Core and Developed Technology
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life	20 years
Maximum | Customer relationships
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life	15 years
Maximum | Patents, Trademarks, and Other
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life	40 years
Maximum | Buildings
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	45 years
Maximum | Machinery and Equipment
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	13 years
Maximum | Leasehold Improvements
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	20 years

Shareholders' Equity - Changes

Shareholders' Equity - Changes in Certain Components of Shareholders' Equity (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance				$ 21,081					$ 21,081
Beginning balance (shares)				(76,259,835)					(76,259,835)
Net Income	$ 128	$ 286	$ 183	$ 278	$ 163	$ 451	$ 20	$ 599	$ 874	$ 1,233	$ 311
Ending balance	$ 23,765				$ 21,081				$ 23,765	$ 21,081
Ending balance (shares)	(74,622,657)				(76,259,835)				(74,622,657)	(76,259,835)
Common stock dividend per share (USD per share)									$ 3.16	$ 3.08	$ 3
Common Stock  Issued at Par Value
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance				347				347	$ 347	$ 347	$ 347
Ending balance	$ 365				$ 347				365	347	347
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Convertible Securities, Net of Adjustments									12
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues									6
Capital in Excess of Par Value
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance				16,270				16,179	16,270	16,179	9,619
Share-based compensation and other plans, net									(143)	(170)	(246)
Share-based compensation									244	261	328
Ending balance	19,270				16,270				19,270	16,270	16,179
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Acquisitions											6,478
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Convertible Securities, Net of Adjustments									(9)
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues									2,909
Retained Earnings
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance				12,913				12,596	12,913	12,596	13,111
Net Income									874	1,233	311
Cash dividends, common									(888)	(832)	(775)
Dividends, Preferred Stock									(107)	(152)	(152)
Share-based compensation and other plans, net									0	(1)	(2)
Stockholders' Equity, Other										68	103
Ending balance	12,791				12,913				12,791	12,913	12,596
Deferred Compensation
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance				23				22	23	22	19
Share-based compensation and other plans, net									0	1	3
Ending balance	23				23				23	23	22
Treasury Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance				$ (6,190)				$ (6,243)	$ (6,190)	$ (6,243)	$ (8,427)
Beginning balance (shares)				(76,260,000)				(78,463,000)	(76,260,000)	(78,463,000)	(118,745,000)
Share-based compensation and other plans, net									$ 52	$ 53	$ 62
Share-based compensation plans, net (shares)									1,597,000	2,155,000	2,982,000
Common stock held in trusts, net (shares)									41,000	48,000	(6,000)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Acquisitions											37,306,000
Ending balance	$ (6,138)				$ (6,190)				$ (6,138)	$ (6,190)	$ (6,243)
Ending balance (shares)	(74,623,000)				(76,260,000)				(74,623,000)	(76,260,000)	(78,463,000)
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Acquisitions											$ 2,121

Shareholders' Equity - Change_2

Shareholders' Equity - Changes in Certain Components of Shareholders' Equity (Detail II) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Common stock dividend per share (USD per share)	$ 3.16	$ 3.08	$ 3

Shareholders' Equity - Accumula

Shareholders' Equity - Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, beginning balance	$ (2,283)	$ (1,909)	$ (1,723)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications, net of taxes	(338)	(427)	(142)
Amounts reclassified into income, net of taxes	74	52	57
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, ending balance	(2,548)	(2,283)	(1,909)
OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTaxAdjustmentDueToNewAccountingPrinciple			(103)
Foreign Currency Translation
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, beginning balance	(1,256)	(1,162)	(1,001)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications, net of taxes	(161)	(93)	(161)
Amounts reclassified into income, net of taxes	0	0	0
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, ending balance	(1,416)	(1,256)	(1,162)
OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTaxAdjustmentDueToNewAccountingPrinciple			0
Benefit Plans
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, beginning balance	(1,005)	(729)	(703)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications, net of taxes	(101)	(325)	19
Amounts reclassified into income, net of taxes	66	49	52
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, ending balance	(1,040)	(1,005)	(729)
OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTaxAdjustmentDueToNewAccountingPrinciple			(99)
Cash Flow Hedges
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, beginning balance	(23)	(17)	(18)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications, net of taxes	(76)	(9)	0
Amounts reclassified into income, net of taxes	8	3	5
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, ending balance	$ (91)	$ (23)	(17)
OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTaxAdjustmentDueToNewAccountingPrinciple			$ (4)

Shareholders' Equity - Addition

Shareholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	May 01, 2020
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Proceeds from issuance of equity securities		$ 2,917,000,000	$ 0	$ 0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, before Tax		$ 25,000,000
Minimum
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Convertible Preferred Stock, Shares Issued upon Conversion		5,200
Maximum
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Convertible Preferred Stock, Shares Issued upon Conversion		6,200
Common Stock  Issued at Par Value
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Convertible Preferred Stock, Shares Issued upon Conversion					11,703
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	6,250
Gross Proceeds from Issuance of Equity	$ 1,500,000,000
Convertible Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Depositary Share Ownership Interest, Percentage	5.00%
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding					2,475
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	1,500
Gross Proceeds from Issuance of Equity	$ 1,500,000,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Preferred Stock and Preference Stock	$ 1,459,000,000
Depositary Share Liquidation		$ 50
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share		$ 1,000
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage		6.00%

Shareholders' Equity - Other Co

Shareholders' Equity - Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Income tax benefit (provision) for net (losses) gains recorded in other comprehensive income	$ 30	$ 91	$ (19)

Earnings per Share - Weighted A

Earnings per Share - Weighted Average Common Shares Used in Computations of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Average common shares outstanding (shares)	278,971	269,943	258,354
Dilutive share equivalents from share-based plans (shares)	3,431	4,832	6,267
Average common and common equivalent shares outstanding - assuming dilution (shares)	282,402	274,775	264,621

Earnings per Share - Weighted_2

Earnings per Share - Weighted Average Common Shares Used in Computations of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share Footnotes (Details) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	0	0	0
Convertible Preferred Stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	9,000,000	12,000,000	12,000,000

Commitments and Contingencies -

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Rental expense for operating leases			$ 169	$ 149
Aggregate future purchase commitments		$ 1,436
Loss Contingency Accrual		2,500	2,500
QualifiedSettlementFunds		92	53
Loss Contingency, Receivable		139	150
Other Operating Income (Expense)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Product Liability Accrual, Period Expense		$ 378	$ 914
HerniaProductClaims
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Pending Claims, Number		21,370
WomensHealthProductClaims
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Pending Claims, Number		525
ClaimsLackingSufficientInformation		980
NumberOfClaimsInSettlementAgreement		15,235
Damages awarded	$ 68
PaymentstoSupplier		$ 148
WomensHealthProductClaims | Compensatory
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Damages awarded	33
WomensHealthProductClaims | Punitive
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Damages awarded	$ 35
FilterProductClaims
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Pending Claims, Number		1,650
Loss Contingency, Claims Settled, Number		8,120
Settled Litigation [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Damages awarded		$ 60

Revenues Revenues - Additional

Revenues Revenues - Additional Information (Details) - Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2020-10-01 $ in Billions	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period	3 years
Products and/or Services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	$ 1.9
Consumables
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	$ 2.6

Segment Data - Additional Infor

Segment Data - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)segmentcustomer	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)customer	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)customer
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of principal business segments (segments) | segment									3
Number of customers accounted for 10% or more of revenues (customers) | customer									0	0	0
Inventory Recall Expense									$ 244	$ 75
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Business									0	336	$ 0
Gain on Sale of Investments									0	0	303
Revenues	$ 4,784	$ 3,855	$ 4,253	$ 4,225	$ 4,584	$ 4,350	$ 4,195	$ 4,160	17,117	17,290	15,983
United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									9,716	9,730	8,768
Non-US
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									7,401	7,560	7,215
IVFluids [Member] | United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues										11	17
InterventionalSpecialties,BrachytherapyandFeedingProducts [Member] | United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues										130	134
InterventionalSpecialties,BrachytherapyandFeedingProducts [Member] | Non-US
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues										55	60
Advanced Bioprocessing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Business										336
CR Bard Inc
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Recognition Of Fair Value Adjustment To Inventory Acquired											478
Medical
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges									41		58
Medical | CR Bard Inc
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Recognition Of Fair Value Adjustment To Inventory Acquired											60
Life Sciences
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)									57		81
Interventional
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)										30
Interventional | CR Bard Inc
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Recognition Of Fair Value Adjustment To Inventory Acquired											$ 418
Other Operating Income (Expense)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Product Liability Accrual, Period Expense									$ 378	$ 914

Segment Data Segment Data - Rev

Segment Data Segment Data - Revenues by Geographic Areas (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 4,784	$ 3,855	$ 4,253	$ 4,225	$ 4,584	$ 4,350	$ 4,195	$ 4,160	$ 17,117	$ 17,290	$ 15,983
Operating Segments | Medical
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									8,680	9,064	8,616
Operating Segments | Life Sciences
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									4,675	4,300	4,330
Operating Segments | Interventional
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									3,762	3,926	3,037
Medication Delivery Solutions | Operating Segments | Medical
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									3,555	3,848	3,627
Medication Management Solutions | Operating Segments | Medical
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									2,454	2,640	2,487
Diabetes Care | Operating Segments | Medical
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,084	1,110	1,105
Pharmaceutical Systems | Operating Segments | Medical
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,588	1,465	1,397
Preanalytical Systems | Operating Segments | Life Sciences
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,487	1,558	1,553
Diagnostic Systems | Operating Segments | Life Sciences
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									2,045	1,547	1,536
Biosciences | Operating Segments | Life Sciences
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,143	1,194	1,241
Surgery | Operating Segments | Interventional
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,121	1,242	1,022
Peripheral Intervention | Operating Segments | Interventional
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,511	1,574	1,239
Urology and Critical Care | Operating Segments | Interventional
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,130	1,110	777
Integrated Diagnostic Solutions | Operating Segments | Life Sciences
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									3,532	3,106	3,089
United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									9,716	9,730	8,768
United States | Operating Segments | Medical
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									4,802	5,116	4,770
United States | Operating Segments | Life Sciences
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									2,337	1,931	1,914
United States | Operating Segments | Interventional
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									2,577	2,682	2,084
United States | Medication Delivery Solutions | Operating Segments | Medical
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,972	2,037	1,875
United States | Medication Management Solutions | Operating Segments | Medical
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,865	2,115	1,974
United States | Diabetes Care | Operating Segments | Medical
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									562	573	564
United States | Pharmaceutical Systems | Operating Segments | Medical
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									404	392	357
United States | Preanalytical Systems | Operating Segments | Life Sciences
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									769	774	761
United States | Diagnostic Systems | Operating Segments | Life Sciences
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,103	672	678
United States | Biosciences | Operating Segments | Life Sciences
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									465	485	475
United States | Surgery | Operating Segments | Interventional
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									891	977	820
United States | Peripheral Intervention | Operating Segments | Interventional
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									871	917	728
United States | Urology and Critical Care | Operating Segments | Interventional
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									815	787	536
United States | Integrated Diagnostic Solutions | Operating Segments | Life Sciences
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,872	1,446	1,438
Non-US
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									7,401	7,560	7,215
Non-US | Operating Segments | Medical
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									3,878	3,947	3,846
Non-US | Operating Segments | Life Sciences
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									2,337	2,368	2,416
Non-US | Operating Segments | Interventional
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,186	1,244	953
Non-US | Medication Delivery Solutions | Operating Segments | Medical
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,583	1,811	1,752
Non-US | Medication Management Solutions | Operating Segments | Medical
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									589	525	513
Non-US | Diabetes Care | Operating Segments | Medical
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									522	538	541
Non-US | Pharmaceutical Systems | Operating Segments | Medical
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,184	1,073	1,040
Non-US | Preanalytical Systems | Operating Segments | Life Sciences
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									718	784	792
Non-US | Diagnostic Systems | Operating Segments | Life Sciences
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									941	875	858
Non-US | Biosciences | Operating Segments | Life Sciences
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									678	709	766
Non-US | Surgery | Operating Segments | Interventional
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									230	264	202
Non-US | Peripheral Intervention | Operating Segments | Interventional
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									640	657	511
Non-US | Urology and Critical Care | Operating Segments | Interventional
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									315	323	240
Non-US | Integrated Diagnostic Solutions | Operating Segments | Life Sciences
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									$ 1,659	$ 1,659	$ 1,651

Segment Data - Financial Inform

Segment Data - Financial Information for Company's Segments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest	$ 985	$ 1,176	$ 1,173
Acquisitions and other restructurings	309	480	740
Total Assets	54,012	51,765	53,904
Total Capital Expenditures	810	957	895
Total Depreciation and Amortization	2,154	2,253	1,978
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest	4,403	4,976	4,137
Total Assets	49,339	49,217	50,938
Operating Segments | Medical
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest	2,274	2,824	2,624
Total Assets	23,007	22,925	23,493
Total Capital Expenditures	477	577	560
Total Depreciation and Amortization	1,104	1,073	1,028
Operating Segments | Life Sciences
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest	1,405	1,248	1,207
Total Assets	4,713	4,135	4,225
Total Capital Expenditures	192	230	255
Total Depreciation and Amortization	286	284	275
Operating Segments | Interventional
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest	724	903	306
Total Assets	21,619	22,157	23,219
Total Capital Expenditures	119	120	65
Total Depreciation and Amortization	750	881	658
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Acquisitions and other restructurings	309	480	740
Net interest expense	(521)	(627)	(641)
Corporate and All Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest	(2,587)	(2,693)	(1,583)
Total Assets	4,673	2,548	2,966
Total Capital Expenditures	22	30	14
Total Depreciation and Amortization	$ 14	$ 14	$ 17

Segment Data - Revenues to Unaf

Segment Data - Revenues to Unaffiliated Customers and Long-lived Assets Including Property, Plant and Equipment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 4,784	$ 3,855	$ 4,253	$ 4,225	$ 4,584	$ 4,350	$ 4,195	$ 4,160	$ 17,117	$ 17,290	$ 15,983
Long-Lived Assets	45,043				45,101				45,043	45,101	46,494
Corporate
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-Lived Assets	411				377				411	377	375
United States
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues									9,716	9,730	8,768
Long-Lived Assets	36,468				37,053				36,468	37,053	38,982
Europe
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues									3,480	3,359	3,298
Long-Lived Assets	5,835				5,483				5,835	5,483	5,640
Greater Asia
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues									2,568	2,726	2,460
Long-Lived Assets	1,521				1,328				1,521	1,328	851
Other
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues									1,353	1,476	1,457
Long-Lived Assets	$ 808				$ 861				$ 808	$ 861	$ 645

Share-Based Compensation - Comp

Share-Based Compensation - Compensation Cost Relating to Share-Based Payments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation cost relating to share-based payments	$ 245	$ 265	$ 332
Income tax benefit recognized	57	62	79
Cost of products sold
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation cost relating to share-based payments	40	37	36
Selling and administrative expense
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation cost relating to share-based payments	150	145	136
Research and development expense
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation cost relating to share-based payments	34	32	29
Acquisitions and other restructurings
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation cost relating to share-based payments	$ 20	$ 50	$ 130

Share-Based Compensation - Addi

Share-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expense	$ 245	$ 265	$ 332
SARs vesting period	4 years
SARs terms of award	10 years
Stock Issued under SARs exercised (in shares)	800,000
Unrecognized compensation expense for all non-vested share-based awards	$ 245
Weighted-average remaining life non-vested share-based awards	1 year 10 months 20 days
Shares were authorized for future grants	10,200,000
Shares issuable under deferred compensation plan	289,000
Percentage of Target Payout on which Performance Based Time-vested Restricted Stock Units are Based	100.00%
Percentage Of Target Payout On Which Performance Based Restricted Stock Units Are Based	200.00%
Director
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Deferral plan, shares held in trust	96,000
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock units vesting period	3 years
Performance period	3 years
Weighted average remaining vesting term	1 year 3 months 3 days
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance payout, percent	0.00%
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance payout, percent	200.00%
Time-Vested Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock units vesting period	3 years
Weighted average remaining vesting term	10 months 2 days
Time-Vested Restricted Stock Units | Executive Officer
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock units vesting period	1 year
Acquisitions and other restructurings
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expense	$ 20	50	130
Acquisitions and other restructurings | CR Bard Inc
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expense	$ 16	$ 40	$ 126

Share-Based Compensation - Assu

Share-Based Compensation - Assumptions for Estimation of Fair Values of Stock Appreciation Rights Granted During Reporting Periods (Detail) - Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate	1.69%	3.05%	2.32%
Expected volatility	19.00%	18.00%	19.00%
Expected dividend yield	1.24%	1.27%	1.33%
Expected life	7 years 4 months 24 days	7 years 2 months 12 days	7 years 4 months 24 days
Fair value derived (USD per share)	$ 48.82	$ 51.86	$ 46.10

Share-Based Compensation - Summ

Share-Based Compensation - Summary of SARs Outstanding (Detail) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
SARs, beginning balance (shares) | shares	6,899
SARs, granted (shares) | shares	874
SARs, exercised (shares) | shares	(1,295)
SARs, forfeited, canceled or expired (shares) | shares	(140)
SARs, ending balance (shares) | shares	6,337
SARs, Vested and expected to vest at ending balance (shares) | shares	6,152
SARs, Exercisable at ending balance (shares) | shares	4,483
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
SARs, weighted average exercise price, beginning balance (USD per share) | $ / shares	$ 144.84
SARs, weighted average exercise price, granted (USD per share) | $ / shares	255.22
SARs, weighted average exercise price, exercised (USD per share) | $ / shares	101.81
SARs, weighted average exercise price, forfeited, canceled or expired (USD per share) | $ / shares	220.82
SARs, weighted average exercise price, ending balance (USD per share) | $ / shares	167.17
SARs, weighted average exercise price, vested and expected to vest (USD per share) | $ / shares	165.02
SARs, weighted average exercise price, exercisable (USD per share) | $ / shares	$ 137.60
SARs, weighted average remaining contractual term	5 years 7 months 28 days
SARs, weighted average remaining contractual term, vested and expected to vest	5 years 6 months 29 days
SARs, weighted average remaining contractual term, exercisable	4 years 7 months 2 days
SARs, aggregate intrinsic value | $	$ 441
SARs, aggregate intrinsic value, vested and expected to vest | $	440
SARs, aggregate intrinsic value, exercisable | $	$ 429

Share-Based Compensation Summar

Share-Based Compensation Summary of SARs Exercised (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Total intrinsic value of SARs exercised	$ 212	$ 260	$ 333
Total fair value of SARs vested	$ 46	$ 66	$ 107

Share-Based Compensation - Su_2

Share-Based Compensation - Summary of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units Outstanding (Detail) - $ / shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Percentage of Target Payout on which Performance Based Time-vested Restricted Stock Units are Based	100.00%
Expected forfeited performance-based restricted stock units (shares)	66
Units In Excess Of Expected Performance Payout	655
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Stock units, beginning balance (shares)	955
Granted, sock units (shares)	371
Distributed, stock units (shares)	(77)
Forfeited, canceled or expired, stock units (shares)	(286)
Stock units, ending balance (shares)	962	955
Stock units, vested and expected to vest at ending balance (shares)	241
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Stock units exercise price, beginning balance (USD per share)	$ 221.73
Granted, stock units weighted average grant date fair value (USD per share)	245.06	$ 237.55	$ 251.75
Distributed, stock units exercise price (USD per share)	174.92
Forfeited, canceled or expired, stock units exercise price (USD per share)	188.32
Stock units exercise price, ending balance (USD per share)	244.42	$ 221.73
Stock units, vested and expected to vest at ending balance, exercise price (USD per share)	$ 244.82
Time-Vested Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Stock units, beginning balance (shares)	2,068
Granted, sock units (shares)	736
Distributed, stock units (shares)	(676)
Forfeited, canceled or expired, stock units (shares)	(431)
Stock units, ending balance (shares)	1,697	2,068
Stock units, vested and expected to vest at ending balance (shares)	1,622
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Stock units exercise price, beginning balance (USD per share)	$ 210.48
Granted, stock units weighted average grant date fair value (USD per share)	249.94	$ 235.50	$ 216.06
Distributed, stock units exercise price (USD per share)	211.19
Forfeited, canceled or expired, stock units exercise price (USD per share)	215.56
Stock units exercise price, ending balance (USD per share)	226.01	$ 210.48
Stock units, vested and expected to vest at ending balance, exercise price (USD per share)	$ 225.22

Share-Based Compensation Weight

Share-Based Compensation Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value of Restricted Stock Units (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units
Schedule Of Share Based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units Award, Grant Date Fair Value of Units Granted [Line Items]
Granted, stock units weighted average grant date fair value (USD per share)	$ 245.06	$ 237.55	$ 251.75
Time-Vested Restricted Stock Units
Schedule Of Share Based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units Award, Grant Date Fair Value of Units Granted [Line Items]
Granted, stock units weighted average grant date fair value (USD per share)	$ 249.94	$ 235.50	$ 216.06

Share-Based Compensation Fair V

Share-Based Compensation Fair Value of Stock Units Vested (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units
Schedule Of Share Based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units, Fair Value of Stock Units Vested [Line Items]
Total fair value of restricted stock units	$ 27	$ 33	$ 31
Time-Vested Restricted Stock Units
Schedule Of Share Based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units, Fair Value of Stock Units Vested [Line Items]
Total fair value of restricted stock units	$ 211	$ 254	$ 362

Benefit Plans - Net Pension and

Benefit Plans - Net Pension and Other Postretirement Cost (Detail) - Pension Plans - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 153	$ 134	$ 136
Interest cost	84	107	90
Expected return on plan assets	(188)	(180)	(154)
Amortization of prior service credit	(13)	(13)	(13)
Amortization of loss	97	78	78
Settlements	4	10	2
Net pension cost	137	135	137
Foreign Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net pension cost	$ 41	$ 32	$ 34

Benefit Plans - Additional Info

Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percent of total assets domestic plans		69.00%
Cost of the savings incentive plan		$ 111	$ 126	$ 108
Fixed Income Funds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Company's Target allocation percentage for asset mix		40.00%
Diversified
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Company's Target allocation percentage for asset mix		25.00%
Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Company's Target allocation percentage for asset mix		35.00%
Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value		$ 3,045	2,926	2,642
Pension plan projected benefit obligations		3,953	3,731	$ 3,246
Employer contribution		42	258
Foreign Plans | Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value		935	859
Pension plan projected benefit obligations		$ 1,321	1,244
Percent of total plan assets foreign plans		31.00%
United States | Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value		$ 2,108	2,068
Employer contribution	$ 200
United States | Other Postretirement Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension plan projected benefit obligations		$ 148	$ 153

Benefit Plans - Change in Benef

Benefit Plans - Change in Benefit Obligation, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30:
Long-term Employee Benefit Obligations	$ (1,435)	$ (1,272)
Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Beginning obligation	3,731	3,246
Service cost	153	134	$ 136
Interest cost	84	107	90
Plan amendments	0	(3)
Benefits paid	(186)	(153)
Impact of acquisitions (divestitures)	10	(9)
Actuarial loss	104	514
Settlements	(17)	(63)
Other, includes translation	(74)	49
Ending obligation	3,953	3,731	3,246
Change in fair value of plan assets:
Beginning fair value	2,926	2,642
Actual return on plan assets	222	279
Employer contribution	42	258
Benefits paid	(186)	(153)
Impact of acquisitions (divestitures)	7	(7)
Settlements	(17)	(63)
Other, includes translation	51	(30)
Ending fair value	3,045	2,926	$ 2,642
Funded Status at September 30:
Unfunded benefit obligation	(908)	(804)
Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30:
Other	16	11
Salaries, wages and related items	(23)	(22)
Long-term Employee Benefit Obligations	(901)	(793)
Net amount recognized	(908)	(804)
Amounts recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes at September 30:
Prior service credit	31	44
Net actuarial loss	(1,281)	(1,289)
Net amount recognized	$ (1,250)	$ (1,246)

Benefit Plans - Pension Plans w

Benefit Plans - Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Accumulated benefit obligation exceeds the fair value of plan assets, projected benefit obligation	$ 3,844	$ 3,623
Accumulated benefit obligation exceeds the fair value of plan assets, accumulated benefit obligation	3,703	3,476
Accumulated benefit obligation exceeds the fair value of plan assets, fair value of plan assets	2,936	2,821
Projected benefit obligation exceeds the fair value of plan assets, projected benefit obligation	3,920	3,698
Projected benefit obligation exceeds the fair value of plan assets, fair value of plan assets	$ 2,996	$ 2,882

Benefit Plans - Weighted Averag

Benefit Plans - Weighted Average Assumptions Determining Pension Plan (Detail) - Pension Plans	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Foreign Plans
Net Cost
Discount rate	1.39%	2.30%	2.30%
Expected return on plan assets	5.05%	4.98%	4.95%
Rate of compensation increase	2.35%	2.36%	2.31%
Benefit Obligation
Discount rate	1.44%	1.39%	2.30%
Rate of compensation increase	2.20%	2.35%	2.36%
United States
Net Cost
Discount rate	3.21%	4.26%	3.71%
Expected return on plan assets	7.25%	7.25%	7.20%
Rate of compensation increase	4.29%	4.29%	4.51%
Benefit Obligation
Discount rate	2.80%	3.21%	4.26%
Rate of compensation increase	4.30%	4.29%	4.29%

Benefit Plans - Expected Benefi

Benefit Plans - Expected Benefit Payments (Detail) - Pension Plans $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2020	$ 209
2021	162
2022	171
2023	176
2024	186
2025-2029	$ 1,068

Benefit Plans - Fair Value Meas

Benefit Plans - Fair Value Measurements of Plan Assets (Detail) - Pension Plans - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$ 3,045	$ 2,926	$ 2,642
United States
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	2,108	2,068
United States | Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	737	922
United States | Corporate bonds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	656	401
United States | Government and agency-U.S.
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	95	108
United States | Government and agency-Foreign
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	40	85
United States | Other fixed income
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	141	37
United States | Cash and cash equivalents
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	147	254
United States | Other
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	291	261
Foreign Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	935	859
Foreign Plans | Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	335	319
Foreign Plans | Corporate bonds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	34	33
Foreign Plans | Government and agency-U.S.
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	3	3
Foreign Plans | Government and agency-Foreign
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	212	199
Foreign Plans | Other fixed income
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	102	100
Foreign Plans | Cash and cash equivalents
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	12	8
Foreign Plans | Other
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	72	53
Foreign Plans | Real estate
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	34	30
Foreign Plans | Insurance contracts
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	131	113
Net Asset Value | United States
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	193	906
Net Asset Value | United States | Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	43	782
Net Asset Value | United States | Corporate bonds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Net Asset Value | United States | Government and agency-U.S.
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Net Asset Value | United States | Government and agency-Foreign
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Net Asset Value | United States | Other fixed income
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Net Asset Value | United States | Cash and cash equivalents
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Net Asset Value | United States | Other
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	151	124
Net Asset Value | Foreign Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	14
Net Asset Value | Foreign Plans | Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	14
Net Asset Value | Foreign Plans | Corporate bonds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Net Asset Value | Foreign Plans | Government and agency-U.S.
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Net Asset Value | Foreign Plans | Government and agency-Foreign
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Net Asset Value | Foreign Plans | Other fixed income
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Net Asset Value | Foreign Plans | Cash and cash equivalents
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Net Asset Value | Foreign Plans | Other
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Net Asset Value | Foreign Plans | Real estate
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Net Asset Value | Foreign Plans | Insurance contracts
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | United States
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	1,330	733
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | United States | Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	694	140
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | United States | Corporate bonds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	273	48
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | United States | Government and agency-U.S.
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	74	85
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | United States | Government and agency-Foreign
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	69
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | United States | Other fixed income
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | United States | Cash and cash equivalents
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	147	254
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | United States | Other
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	141	138
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Foreign Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	611	549
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Foreign Plans | Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	335	305
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Foreign Plans | Corporate bonds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	15	15
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Foreign Plans | Government and agency-U.S.
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Foreign Plans | Government and agency-Foreign
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	115	105
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Foreign Plans | Other fixed income
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	63	63
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Foreign Plans | Cash and cash equivalents
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	12	8
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Foreign Plans | Other
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	70	52
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Foreign Plans | Real estate
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Foreign Plans | Insurance contracts
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | United States
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	584	429
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | United States | Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | United States | Corporate bonds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	383	353
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | United States | Government and agency-U.S.
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	21	23
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | United States | Government and agency-Foreign
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	40	16
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | United States | Other fixed income
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	141	37
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | United States | Cash and cash equivalents
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | United States | Other
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Foreign Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	183	182
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Foreign Plans | Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Foreign Plans | Corporate bonds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	19	18
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Foreign Plans | Government and agency-U.S.
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	3	3
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Foreign Plans | Government and agency-Foreign
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	97	94
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Foreign Plans | Other fixed income
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	39	37
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Foreign Plans | Cash and cash equivalents
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Foreign Plans | Other
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	1	1
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Foreign Plans | Real estate
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	24	30
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Foreign Plans | Insurance contracts
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | United States
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | United States | Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | United States | Corporate bonds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | United States | Government and agency-U.S.
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | United States | Government and agency-Foreign
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | United States | Other fixed income
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | United States | Cash and cash equivalents
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | United States | Other
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Foreign Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	141	113
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Foreign Plans | Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Foreign Plans | Corporate bonds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Foreign Plans | Government and agency-U.S.
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Foreign Plans | Government and agency-Foreign
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Foreign Plans | Other fixed income
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Foreign Plans | Cash and cash equivalents
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Foreign Plans | Other
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Foreign Plans | Real estate
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	10	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Foreign Plans | Insurance contracts
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$ 131	$ 113

Acquisitions - Additional Infor

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 29, 2017
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredEquityInterestsRecognizedAsIncreaseToAdditionalPaidInCapitalCommonStock		$ 6,500
BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredEquityInterestsRecognizedAsDecreaseToTreasuryStock		$ 2,100
CR Bard Inc
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs	$ 56
Business combination, pro forma information, revenue of acquiree since acquisition date,	3,000
Business combination, pro forma information, loss of acquiree since acquisition date	$ 107

Acquisitions - Fair Value of Co

Acquisitions - Fair Value of Consideration Transferred (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 29, 2017	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Noncash consideration-fair value of shares issued		$ 0	$ 0	$ 8,004
Noncash consideration-fair value of stock options and other equity awards		$ 0	$ 0	$ 613
CR Bard Inc
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration	$ 16,400
Noncash consideration-fair value of shares issued	8,004
Noncash consideration-fair value of stock options and other equity awards	613
Total consideration transferred	$ 25,017

Acquisitions - Summary of Pro F

Acquisitions - Summary of Pro Forma Results (Detail) - CR Bard Inc $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)$ / shares
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 16,947
Net Income	$ 390
Diluted Earnings per Share (USD per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.90

Divestiture - Additional Inform

Divestiture - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Business		$ 0	$ 336	$ 0
Proceeds from divestitures, net		0	477	534
Gain on Sale of Investments		$ 0	0	$ 303
Advanced Bioprocessing
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Business			$ 336
Vyaire Medical
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from divestitures, net	$ 435
Gain on Sale of Investments	$ 303

Business Restructuring Charge_2

Business Restructuring Charges - Changes in Restructuring Balance (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
CR Bard Inc
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 23	$ 33	$ 0
Charged to expense	49	118	292
Cash payments	(32)	(39)	(106)
Non-cash settlements	(24)	(89)	(153)
Ending balance	16	23	33
CR Bard Inc | Employee Termination
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	22	33	0
Charged to expense	7	23	136
Cash payments	(14)	(34)	(103)
Non-cash settlements	0	0	0
Ending balance	15	22	33
CR Bard Inc | Other
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	1	0	0
Charged to expense	42	95	156
Cash payments	(18)	(5)	(3)
Non-cash settlements	(24)	(89)	(153)
Ending balance	1	1	0
Other Initiatives
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	34	27	55
Charged to expense	46	62	52
Cash payments	(58)	(52)	(79)
Non-cash settlements	(2)	(3)	(1)
Ending balance	20	34	27
Other Initiatives | Employee Termination
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	31	23	49
Charged to expense	13	29	30
Cash payments	(27)	(21)	(56)
Non-cash settlements	0	0	0
Ending balance	17	31	23
Other Initiatives | Other
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	3	4	6
Charged to expense	33	33	22
Cash payments	(31)	(31)	(23)
Non-cash settlements	(2)	(3)	(1)
Ending balance	$ 3	$ 3	$ 4

Intangible Assets - Components

Intangible Assets - Components of Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 19,748	$ 19,530
Accumulated Amortization	5,981	4,555
Unamortized intangible assets	46	3
Acquired in-process research and development (a)
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Unamortized intangible assets	44	1
Trademarks
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Unamortized intangible assets	2	2
Developed technology
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	14,105	13,960
Accumulated Amortization	3,959	2,906
Customer relationships
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	4,616	4,608
Accumulated Amortization	1,509	1,183
Product rights
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	119	110
Accumulated Amortization	73	60
Trademarks
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	408	407
Accumulated Amortization	120	102
Patents and other
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	500	445
Accumulated Amortization	$ 320	$ 305

Intangible Assets - Additional

Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible amortization expense	$ 1,384	$ 1,497	$ 1,255
Estimated aggregate amortization expense in 2021	1,387
Estimated aggregate amortization expense in 2022	1,377
Estimated aggregate amortization expense in 2023	1,359
Estimated aggregate amortization expense in 2024	1,357
Estimated aggregate amortization expense in 2025	$ 1,357

Intangible Assets - Reconciliat

Intangible Assets - Reconciliation of Goodwill by Business Segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	$ 23,376	$ 23,600
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	117
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit		3
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	5	(90)
Goodwill, Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss)	122	(137)
Goodwill, ending balance	23,620	23,376
Medical
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	9,989	10,054
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	10
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit		0
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	0	(15)
Goodwill, Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss)	44	(50)
Goodwill, ending balance	10,044	9,989
Life Sciences
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	772	775
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	58
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit		3
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	1	0
Goodwill, Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss)	7	(6)
Goodwill, ending balance	837	772
Interventional
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	12,615	12,771
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	49
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit		0
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	4	(75)
Goodwill, Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss)	71	(81)
Goodwill, ending balance	$ 12,739	$ 12,615

Derivative Instruments and He_3

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Reclassification of terminated interest rate swaps to interest expense within the next 12 months	$ 6,000,000
Cash flow hedges	(67,000,000)	$ (6,000,000)	$ 1,000,000
Debt | Net Investment Hedging
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	1,500,000,000	1,400,000,000
Forward exchange contracts
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	2,500,000,000	2,300,000,000
Currency Swap
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	3,000,000,000	2,300,000,000
Fixed To Floating
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	375,000,000	375,000,000
Interest rate swaps | Cash Flow Hedging
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	1,500,000,000	$ 1,500,000,000
Cash flow hedges	75,000,000
Commodity forward contracts
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 0

Derivative Instruments and He_4

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure - Gains (Losses) on Net Investment Hedges (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Forward exchange contracts
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Investment Hedge, Gain (Loss), before Reclassification and Tax	$ (106)	$ 138	$ 81
Currency Swap
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Investment Hedge, Gain (Loss), before Reclassification and Tax	(109)	73	0
Foreign Exchange Forward
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Investment Hedge, Gain (Loss), before Reclassification and Tax	$ 0	$ (9)	$ 0

Financial Instruments and Fai_3

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurement - Cash and Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Cash and equivalents	$ 2,825	$ 536
Restricted Cash and Investments, Current	92	54
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents	2,917	$ 590	$ 1,236	$ 14,179
Transfers of financial assets during the period.	$ 2,200

Financial Instruments and Fai_4

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 1,549,000,000	$ 39,000,000
Remaining cash equivalents	1,276,000,000	497,000,000
Fair value of long-term debt	19,000,000,000	19,200,000,000
Fair value of debt classified from long term to short term	702,000,000	1,300,000,000
Transfer of Financial Assets Accounted for as Sales, Amount Derecognized	256,000,000
Transfers of financial assets during the period.	$ 2,200,000,000
Minimum
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Maturity period of short-term investments at the time of purchase	3 months
Maximum
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Maturity period of short-term investments at the time of purchase	1 year
Interventional
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)		$ 30,000,000
Medical
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges	$ 41,000,000		$ 58,000,000
Life Sciences
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 57,000,000		$ 81,000,000

Debt - Summary of Short-Term De

Debt - Summary of Short-Term Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Other Short-term Borrowings	$ 5	$ 10
Short-term debt	$ 707	1,309
3.250% Notes due November 12, 2020
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Interest rate	3.25%
0.174% Notes due June 4, 2021
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Interest rate	0.174%		0.174%
Current portion of long-term debt	$ 701	0
2.404% Notes due June 5, 2020
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Interest rate	2.404%
Current portion of long-term debt	$ 0	$ 999
2.675% Notes due December 15, 2019
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Interest rate	2.675%	2.675%
Current portion of long-term debt	$ 0	$ 300

Debt - Additional Information (

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) € in Millions	3 Months Ended						12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2019EUR (€)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Short-term debt, weighted average interest rate	0.20%		2.48%				0.20%	2.48%
Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt, 2021	$ 1,200,000,000						$ 1,200,000,000
Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt, 2022	3,800,000,000						3,800,000,000
Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt, 2023	2,600,000,000						2,600,000,000
Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt, 2024	2,300,000,000						2,300,000,000
Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt, 2025	2,000,000,000						$ 2,000,000,000
Debt Instrument, Term							364 days
Letters Of Credit Issuable Under Credit Facility	100,000,000						$ 100,000,000
Line Of Credit Facility Maximum Additional Principal Amount Commitments	500,000,000						500,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	2,750,000,000						2,750,000,000
Long-term Commercial Paper	0						0
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount	950,000,000			$ 1,100,000,000			950,000,000
Long-Term Debt	17,224,000,000		$ 18,081,000,000				17,224,000,000	$ 18,081,000,000
Debt Instrument, Repurchase Amount	951,000,000			1,169,000,000			951,000,000
Extinguishment of Debt, Gain (Loss), Net of Tax	1,000,000			$ 57,000,000			8,000,000	59,000,000	$ 16,000,000
Transfer of Financial Assets Accounted for as Sales, Amount Derecognized	256,000,000						256,000,000
Floating Rate Notes Due December 29, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount	750,000,000						750,000,000
0.174% Notes due June 4, 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt	$ 0		651,000,000				$ 0	651,000,000
Interest rate	0.174%			0.174%			0.174%			0.174%
0.632% Notes due June 4, 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt	$ 933,000,000		867,000,000				$ 933,000,000	867,000,000
Interest rate	0.632%			0.632%			0.632%			0.632%
1.208% Notes due June 4, 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt	$ 699,000,000		649,000,000				$ 699,000,000	649,000,000
Interest rate	1.208%			1.208%			1.208%			1.208%
Notes 0.368% due June 6, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate				0.368%						0.368%
2.675% Notes due December 15, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount			825,000,000					825,000,000
Debt Instrument, Repurchase Amount			826,000,000					$ 826,000,000
Extinguishment of Debt, Gain (Loss), Net of Tax			$ 1,000,000
Interest rate	2.675%		2.675%				2.675%	2.675%
Floating Rate Notes due December 29, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt	$ 0		$ 748,000,000				$ 0	$ 748,000,000
1.401% Notes due May 24, 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt	$ 350,000,000		325,000,000				$ 350,000,000	325,000,000
Interest rate	1.401%						1.401%
3.020% Notes due May 24, 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt	$ 320,000,000		306,000,000				$ 320,000,000	306,000,000
Interest rate	3.02%						3.02%
Notes 2.823% due May 20, 2030
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt	$ 743,000,000		0				$ 743,000,000	0
Debt instrument, face amount		$ 750,000,000
Interest rate	2.823%	2.823%					2.823%
Notes 3.794% due May 20, 2050
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt	$ 742,000,000		0				$ 742,000,000	0
Debt instrument, face amount		$ 750,000,000
Interest rate	3.794%	3.794%					3.794%
Notes 2.404% due June 5, 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount		$ 1,000,000,000
Interest rate		2.404%
Notes 3.250% due November 12, 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount	$ 200,000,000	$ 500,000,000					$ 200,000,000
Long-Term Debt		500,000,000
Debt Instrument, Repurchase Amount		506,000,000
Extinguishment of Debt, Gain (Loss), Net of Tax		$ 6,000,000
Interest rate	3.25%	3.25%					3.25%
Revolving Credit Facility due December 29, 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Term						5 years
Borrowings under credit facility	$ 0		$ 485,000,000				$ 0	485,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	2,630,000,000	$ 2,250,000,000					$ 2,630,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Additional Borrowing Capacity		381,000,000
Term Loan Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Term			364 days
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity		$ 2,000,000,000
Repayments of Lines of Credit	$ 1,900,000,000
Senior Notes | Floating Rate Notes Due December 29, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount					$ 250,000,000
Long-Term Debt					249,000,000
Debt Instrument, Repurchase Amount					250,000,000
Extinguishment of Debt, Gain (Loss), Net of Tax					$ 1,000,000
Euro Member Countries, Euro | 0.174% Notes due June 4, 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount | €										€ 600
Euro Member Countries, Euro | 0.632% Notes due June 4, 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount | €										800
Euro Member Countries, Euro | 1.208% Notes due June 4, 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount | €										600
Euro Member Countries, Euro | Notes 0.368% due June 6, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount | €										€ 1,000
United States of America, Dollars | 0.174% Notes due June 4, 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount				$ 672,000,000
United States of America, Dollars | 0.632% Notes due June 4, 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount				896,000,000
United States of America, Dollars | 1.208% Notes due June 4, 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount				672,000,000
United States of America, Dollars | Notes 0.368% due June 6, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount				1,120,000,000
Long-term Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt				$ 1,112,000,000
Short-term Debt | 2.675% Notes due December 15, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt			$ 825,000,000					$ 825,000,000

Debt - Summary of Long-Term Deb

Debt - Summary of Long-Term Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt	$ 17,224		$ 18,081
3.250% Notes due November 12, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	3.25%
Long-Term Debt	$ 0		699
Floating Rate Notes due December 29, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt	$ 0		748
0.174% Notes due June 4, 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	0.174%			0.174%
Long-Term Debt	$ 0		651
3.125% Notes due November 8, 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	3.125%
Long-Term Debt	$ 1,008		1,004
2.894% Notes due June 6, 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	2.894%
Long-Term Debt	$ 1,797		1,795
Floating Rate Notes due June 6, 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt	$ 499		498
1.000% Notes due December 15, 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	1.00%
Long-Term Debt	$ 584		542
Revolving Credit Facility due December 29, 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt	$ 0		480
3.300% Notes due March 1, 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	3.30%
Long-Term Debt	$ 295		295
1.401% Notes due May 24, 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	1.401%
Long-Term Debt	$ 350		325
0.632% Notes due June 4, 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	0.632%			0.632%
Long-Term Debt	$ 933		867
3.875% Notes due May 15, 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	3.875%
Long-Term Debt	$ 180		181
3.363% Notes due June 6, 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	3.363%
Long-Term Debt	$ 1,742		1,740
3.734% Notes due December 15, 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	3.734%
Long-Term Debt	$ 1,370		1,369
3.020% Notes due May 24, 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	3.02%
Long-Term Debt	$ 320		306
1.208% Notes due June 4, 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	1.208%			1.208%
Long-Term Debt	$ 699		649
6.700% Notes due December 1, 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	6.70%
Long-Term Debt	$ 172		174
1.900% Notes due December 15, 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	1.90%
Long-Term Debt	$ 582		541
3.700% Notes due June 6, 2027
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	3.70%	3.70%
Long-Term Debt	$ 1,715		1,714
7.000% Debentures due August 1, 2027
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	7.00%
Long-Term Debt	$ 175		175
6.700% Debentures due August 1, 2028
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	6.70%
Long-Term Debt	$ 174		175
Notes 2.823% due May 20, 2030
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	2.823%	2.823%
Long-Term Debt	$ 743		0
6.000% Notes due May 15, 2039
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	6.00%
Long-Term Debt	$ 246		246
5.000% Notes due November 12, 2040
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.00%
Long-Term Debt	$ 124		124
4.875% Notes due May 15, 2044
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	4.875%	4.875%
Long-Term Debt	$ 247		248
4.685% Notes due December 15, 2044
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	4.685%	4.685%
Long-Term Debt	$ 1,044		1,045
4.669% Notes due June 6, 2047
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	4.669%
Long-Term Debt	$ 1,485		1,485
Other long-term debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt	$ 0		5
Notes 3.794% due May 20, 2050
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	3.794%	3.794%
Long-Term Debt	$ 742		$ 0

Debt - Extinguishments of Debt

Debt - Extinguishments of Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount	$ 950		$ 1,100
3.700% Notes due June 6, 2027
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]
Interest rate	3.70%	3.70%
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount			675
Notes 5.000% due November 12, 2040
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]
Interest rate		5.00%
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount			175
4.875% Notes due May 15, 2044
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]
Interest rate	4.875%	4.875%
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount			75
4.685% Notes due December 15, 2044
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]
Interest rate	4.685%	4.685%
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount			$ 175

Debt - Debt Exchange (Detail)

Debt - Debt Exchange (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt	$ 17,224	$ 18,081

Debt - Summary of Interest Cost

Debt - Summary of Interest Costs and Payments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Charged to operations	$ 528	$ 639	$ 706
Capitalized	43	44	42
Total interest costs	571	683	748
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized	$ 515	$ 658	$ 674

Income Taxes - Provision for In

Income Taxes - Provision for Income Taxes from Continuing Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Federal	$ (50)	$ 235	$ 665
State and local, including Puerto Rico	47	41	73
Foreign	400	300	387
Total, Current	397	576	1,124
Domestic	(184)	(577)	(201)
Foreign	(101)	(56)	(61)
Total, Deferred	(286)	(633)	(262)
Income tax provision	$ 111	$ (57)	$ 862

Income Taxes - Components of In

Income Taxes - Components of Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Domestic, including Puerto Rico	$ (489)	$ 799	$ (135)
Foreign	1,474	377	1,308
Income Before Income Taxes	$ 985	$ 1,176	$ 1,173

Income Taxes - Additional Infor

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Tax [Line Items]
Federal statutory tax rate			21.00%	21.00%	24.50%	35.00%
EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRateNew				21.00%
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Income Tax Expense (Benefit)				$ 50	$ (640)
OtherTaxExpenseBenefitRelatedtoHistoricUnremittedForeignEarnings	$ 138	$ 67
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	624		$ 719	624	632
Unrecognized tax benefits interest and penalties reflected in current year			1	26	20
Tax reductions related to tax holidays			$ (136)	$ (43)	$ (107)
Income Tax Holiday, Income Tax Benefits Per Share			$ (0.48)	$ (0.16)	$ (0.40)
Income taxes paid, net			$ 518	$ 536	$ 235
Deferred Income Taxes and Other
Income Tax [Line Items]
Indemnification liability, non-current	$ 164			$ 164

Income Taxes - Summary of Gross

Income Taxes - Summary of Gross Amounts of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Balance at October 1	$ 577	$ 601	$ 407
Increase due to acquisitions	1	3	140
Increase due to current year tax positions	35	11	43
Increase due to prior year tax positions	76	6	43
Decreases due to prior year tax positions	(49)	(39)	0
Decrease due to settlements with tax authorities	(4)	0	(29)
Decrease due to lapse of statute of limitations	(16)	(5)	(3)
Balance at September 30	$ 620	$ 577	$ 601

Income Taxes - Deferred Income

Income Taxes - Deferred Income Taxes (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Compensation and benefits, assets	$ 554	$ 513
Loss and credit carryforwards, assets	1,900	1,327
Other, assets	501	396
Deferred income taxes, assets, gross	3,196	2,417
Valuation allowance, assets	(1,820)	(1,240)
Deferred income taxes, assets	1,376	1,177
Property and equipment, liabilities	361	312
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Other Finite-Lived Assets	2,408	2,624
Other, liabilities	137	74
Deferred income taxes, liabilities, gross	2,906	3,011
Deferred income taxes, liabilities	2,906	3,011
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Reserves	$ 241	$ 182

Income Taxes - Reconciliation o

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Federal Statutory Tax Rate to Company's Effective Tax Rate (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Federal statutory tax rate	21.00%	21.00%	24.50%	35.00%
New U.S. tax legislation (see discussion above)	0	(0.043)	0.546
State and local income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	(1.90%)	0.10%	0.80%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential, Percent	(14.80%)	(6.60%)	(11.70%)
Effect of foreign operations	19.10%	(5.50%)	19.00%
Effect of Research Credits and FDII/Domestic Production Activities	(5.00%)	(3.30%)	(2.80%)
Effect of tax benefit relating to share-based compensation	(4.50%)	(3.90%)	(6.10%)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Disposition of Asset, Percent	(4.50%)	(2.00%)	1.30%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Uncertain Tax Position, Percent	0.00%	0.00%	3.30%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance, Percent	0.00%	0.00%	(4.80%)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Accounting Method, Percent	0.00%	0.00%	(4.50%)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Nondeductible Expense, Share-based Payment Arrangement, Percent	0.00%	0.00%	1.60%
Other, net	1.90%	(0.30%)	(1.70%)
Total	11.30%	(4.80%)	73.50%

Leases, Codification Topic 84_3

Leases, Codification Topic 842 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Operating Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term	7 years 3 months 18 days
Operating Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent	2.20%
Lease, Cost	$ 131
Rental expense for operating leases		$ 169	$ 149
Minimum
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract	1 year
Maximum
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract	25 years

Leases - Supplemental Balance S

Leases - Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Related to Leases (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)
Other Assets
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Right-of-use assets recorded in Other Assets	$ 418
Accrued Expenses
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Current lease liabilities recorded in Payables, accrued expenses and other current liabilities	106
Deferred Income Taxes and Other Liabilities
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Non-current lease liabilities recorded in Deferred Income Taxes and Other Liabilities	$ 336

Leases - Lessee, Operating Leas

Leases - Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Future minimum rental commitments on noncancelable leases due in 2020	$ 115	$ 122
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Two	96
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Three	63
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Four	41
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Five	32
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, after Year Five	142
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid	489
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount	47
Operating Lease, Liability	$ 442

Leases - Schedule of Future Min

Leases - Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Future minimum rental commitments on noncancelable leases due in 2020	$ 115	$ 122
Future minimum rental commitments on noncancelable leases due in 2021		103
Future minimum rental commitments on noncancelable leases due in 2022		83
Future minimum rental commitments on noncancelable leases due in 2023		57
Future minimum rental commitments on noncancelable leases due in 2024		56
Future minimum rental commitments on noncancelable leases thereafter		123
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due		$ 546
Operating Lease, Liability, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	us-gaap:OtherLiabilities

Supplemental Financial Inform_3

Supplemental Financial Information - Other Income (Expense), Net (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Royalty Income, Nonoperating			$ 17	$ 64	$ 51
Insurance Recoveries			0	35	0
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments			13	18	8
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), Realized			(17)	(23)	(14)
Losses on debt extinguishment	$ (1)	$ (57)	(8)	(59)	(16)
Other Nonoperating Income			(3)	(2)	(3)
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)			23	43	305
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit)			7	(2)	(13)
Vyaire Medical
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments			$ 0	$ 6	$ 288

Supplemental Financial Inform_4

Supplemental Financial Information - Trade Receivables, Allowances for Doubtful Accounts and Cash Discounts (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 88	$ 86	$ 58
Additions charged to costs and expenses	78	125	89
Deductions and other	(73)	(123)	(61)
Ending Balance	94	88	86
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	75	75	54
Additions charged to costs and expenses	40	31	31
Deductions and other	(35)	(31)	(11)
Ending Balance	80	75	75
Allowance for Cash Discounts
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	13	12	4
Additions charged to costs and expenses	39	94	58
Deductions and other	(38)	(92)	(50)
Ending Balance	$ 14	$ 13	$ 12

Supplemental Financial Inform_5

Supplemental Financial Information - Inventories (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Materials	$ 602	$ 544
Work in process	335	318
Finished products	1,806	1,717
Inventories	$ 2,743	$ 2,579

Supplemental Financial Inform_6

Supplemental Financial Information - Property, Plant and Equipment, Net (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Land	$ 166	$ 164
Buildings	3,082	2,842
Machinery, equipment and fixtures	8,454	7,932
Leasehold improvements	216	190
Property, Plant and Equipment, gross	11,919	11,128
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	5,996	5,469
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	$ 5,923	$ 5,659

Supplementary Data (Unaudited_2

Supplementary Data (Unaudited) - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 4,784	$ 3,855	$ 4,253	$ 4,225	$ 4,584	$ 4,350	$ 4,195	$ 4,160	$ 17,117	$ 17,290	$ 15,983
Gross Profit	2,206	1,659	1,734	1,978	2,266	2,074	1,974	1,974	7,577	8,288
Net Income	$ 128	$ 286	$ 183	$ 278	$ 163	$ 451	$ 20	$ 599	$ 874	$ 1,233	$ 311
Earnings (loss) per Share:
Earnings Per Share, Basic	$ 0.36	$ 0.98	$ 0.53	$ 0.88	$ 0.46	$ 1.53	$ (0.07)	$ 2.09	$ 2.75	$ 4.01	$ 0.62
Diluted Earnings per Share (USD per share)	$ 0.36	$ 0.97	$ 0.53	$ 0.87	$ 0.45	$ 1.51	$ (0.07)	$ 2.05	$ 2.71	$ 3.94	$ 0.60