Amgen (AMGN) 10-Q 29 Oct 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 22, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Amgen Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	318154
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		754,126,197

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues:
Product sales	$4,647	$4,201	$13,393	$12,302
Other revenues	101	118	272	542
Total revenues	4,748	4,319	13,665	12,844
Operating expenses:
Cost of sales	788	775	2,317	2,277
Research and development	989	880	2,834	2,442
Selling, general and administrative	1,249	1,131	3,663	3,441
Other	34	110	171	195
Total operating expenses	3,060	2,896	8,985	8,355
Operating income	1,688	1,423	4,680	4,489
Interest expense, net	257	271	761	762
Interest and other income, net	72	111	332	359
Income before income taxes	1,503	1,263	4,251	4,086
Provision for income taxes	135	156	191	529
Net income	$1,368	$1,107	$4,060	$3,557
Earnings per share:
Basic (in usd per share)	$1.81	$1.44	$5.40	$4.57
Diluted (in usd per share)	$1.79	$1.41	$5.31	$4.51
Shares used in calculation of earnings per share:
Basic (in shares)	754	771	752	779
Diluted (in shares)	766	783	764	789
Dividends paid per share (in usd per share)	$0.47	$0.36	$1.41	$1.08

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$1,368	$1,107	$4,060	$3,557
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of reclassification adjustments and taxes:
Foreign currency translation gains (losses)	12	22	-36	-20
Effective portion of cash flow hedges	-84	-117	13	-92
Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities	48	88	-219	85
Other	-2	3	-1	3
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	-26	-4	-243	-24
Comprehensive income	$1,342	$1,103	$3,817	$3,533

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$8,281	$3,257
Marketable securities	14,277	20,804
Receivable from sale of investments	560	0
Trade receivables, net	2,670	2,518
Inventories	2,838	2,744
Other current assets	2,049	1,886
Total current assets	30,675	31,209
Property, plant and equipment, net	5,283	5,326
Intangible assets, net	3,682	3,968
Goodwill	12,572	12,662
Restricted investments	3,411	0
Other assets	1,450	1,133
Total assets	57,073	54,298
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	895	905
Accrued liabilities	3,937	4,791
Current portion of long-term debt	11	2,495
Total current liabilities	4,843	8,191
Long-term debt	27,178	24,034
Other noncurrent liabilities	3,324	3,013
Contingencies and commitments
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock and additional paid-in capital; $0.0001 par value; 2,750.0 shares authorized; outstanding - 754.1 shares in 2013 and 756.3 shares in 2012	29,665	29,337
Accumulated deficit	-7,840	-10,423
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	-97	146
Total stockholders’ equity	21,728	19,060
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$57,073	$54,298

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock and additional paid-in capital, par value (in usd per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock and additional paid-in capital, shares authorized	2,750	2,750
Common stock and additional paid-in capital, shares outstanding	754.1	756.3

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$4,060	$3,557
Depreciation and amortization	842	815
Stock-based compensation expense	304	271
Other items, net	119	-72
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Trade receivables, net	-132	198
Inventories	-71	-175
Other assets	-174	213
Accounts payable	6	189
Accrued income taxes	-483	-85
Other liabilities	-15	159
Net cash provided by operating activities	4,456	5,070
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-492	-489
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	-1,990
Purchases of marketable securities	-17,878	-18,864
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities	15,743	12,544
Proceeds from maturities of marketable securities	4,846	878
Restriction of investments	-526	0
Other	-44	-38
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	1,649	-7,959
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of debt	-2,500	-102
Net proceeds from issuance of debt	3,074	4,933
Repurchases of common stock	-832	-3,390
Dividends paid	-1,061	-844
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with the Company’s equity award programs	268	1,129
Other	-30	40
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-1,081	1,766
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	5,024	-1,123
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	3,257	6,946
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$8,281	$5,823

Summary_of_significant_account

Summary of significant accounting policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of significant accounting policies	Summary of significant accounting policies
	Business
	Amgen Inc. (including its subsidiaries, referred to as “Amgen,” “the Company,” “we,” “our” or “us”) is a global biotechnology pioneer that discovers, develops, manufactures and delivers innovative human therapeutics. We operate in one business segment: human therapeutics.
	Basis of presentation
	The financial information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, is unaudited but includes all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, unless otherwise indicated), which Amgen considers necessary for a fair presentation of its condensed consolidated results of operations for those periods. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for the full fiscal year.
	Prior-period amounts for amortization of certain acquired intangible assets have been reclassified within Operating expenses in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income to conform to the current-period presentation.
	The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2013, and June 30, 2013.
	Principles of consolidation
	The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Amgen as well as its majority-owned subsidiaries. We do not have any significant interests in any variable interest entities. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Use of estimates
	The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
	Product sales for U.S. federal government stockpiles
	Amgen recognizes revenue from the sales of product to the U.S. federal government for stockpile in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Interpretation, Commission Guidance Regarding Accounting for Sales of Vaccines and Bioterror Countermeasures to the Federal Government for Placement into the Pediatric Vaccine Stockpile or the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). We recognized $155 million of revenue for NEUPOGEN® (filgrastim) during the three months ended September 30, 2013, for purchases by the government for the SNS. We are contracted to manage this inventory of product until the government requests shipment.
	Property, plant and equipment, net
	Property, plant and equipment is recorded at historical cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $6.8 billion and $6.6 billion as of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, respectively.
	Restricted investments
	We have restricted investments on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet that are owned by ATL Holdings Limited (ATL Holdings), a wholly-owned subsidiary. ATL Holdings is an entity distinct from the Company and its other subsidiaries, with separate assets and liabilities. Because a third party owns Class A preferred shares of ATL Holdings, this entity is required to hold restricted cash or investments. See Note 7, Financing arrangements. On September 30, 2013, $2,881 million of marketable securities, $526 million of cash and cash equivalents and $4 million of related interest receivable were reclassified to Restricted investments on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	Comprehensive income
	In January 2013, we adopted a new accounting standard that requires additional disclosures regarding amounts that are reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI). In accordance with the requirements of the standard, the effects of significant reclassifications out of AOCI, by component, on the respective lines in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income are presented in Note 8, Stockholders' equity. The standard was required to be applied prospectively beginning January 1, 2013.
	Cost savings initiatives
	Included in Other operating expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, are charges for certain costs savings initiatives of $35 million and $46 million, respectively, compared with $36 million and $106 million for the corresponding periods of the prior year.

Business_combinations

Business combinations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business combinations	Business combinations
	deCODE Genetics
	On December 10, 2012, we acquired all of the outstanding stock of deCODE Genetics (deCODE), a privately held company that is a global leader in human genetics, for total consideration of $401 million in cash. The transaction, which was accounted for as a business combination, provides us with an opportunity to enhance our efforts to identify and validate human disease targets. deCODE's operations, which are not material, have been included in our consolidated financial statements commencing on the acquisition date.
	We allocated the consideration to acquire deCODE to finite-lived intangible assets of $465 million comprised of discovery capacity in the genetics of human diseases with an estimated useful life of 10 years, $47 million to goodwill which is not deductible for tax purposes, deferred tax liabilities of $93 million and other net liabilities of $18 million. These amounts reflect adjustments recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, to the acquisition date fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in this acquisition which did not have a material effect on our current or prior period financial statements. These adjustments reduced goodwill by $46 million due primarily to a revision which increased the acquisition date fair value of finite-lived intangible assets by $64 million.
	Our accounting for the acquisition is preliminary and will be finalized upon completion of our analysis to determine the acquisition date fair values of certain tax-related items and residual impact on goodwill.

Income_taxes

Income taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income taxes	Income taxes
	The effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 were 9.0% and 4.5%, respectively, compared with 12.4% and 12.9% for the corresponding periods of the prior year. The effective rates are different from the federal statutory rates primarily as a result of indefinitely invested earnings of our foreign operations. We do not provide for U.S. income taxes on undistributed earnings of our foreign operations that are intended to be invested indefinitely outside of the United States. In addition, the effective tax rates were reduced by foreign tax credits associated with the Puerto Rico excise tax described below. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, was further reduced by two significant events that occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2013. First, we settled our examination with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009 in which we agreed to certain adjustments proposed by the IRS and remeasured our unrecognized tax benefits (UTBs) accordingly. Second, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, enacted during the first quarter of 2013, reinstated the federal research and development (R&D) tax credit for 2012 and 2013. Therefore, our effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, includes a benefit for the full-year 2012 R&D tax credit, recorded as a discrete item in the first quarter.
	As of January 1, 2011, Puerto Rico began imposing a temporary excise tax on the purchase of goods and services from a related manufacturer in Puerto Rico. The excise tax is imposed on the gross intercompany purchase price of the goods and services and was initially effective for a six-year period beginning in 2011, with the excise tax rate declining in each year (from 4% in 2011 to 1% in 2016). During the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Puerto Rico government enacted an amendment to the excise tax legislation which increased the excise tax rate to a flat 4% effective July 1, 2013 through December 31, 2017. We account for the excise tax as a manufacturing cost that is capitalized in inventory and expensed in cost of sales when the related products are sold. For U.S. income tax purposes, the excise tax results in foreign tax credits that are generally recognized in our provision for income taxes when the excise tax is incurred. Excluding the impact of the Puerto Rico excise tax, our effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, would have been 13.8% and 9.8%, respectively, compared with 17.7% and 18.3% for the corresponding periods of the prior year.
	Several of our legal entities file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, various U.S. state jurisdictions and certain foreign jurisdictions. Our income tax returns are routinely audited by the tax authorities in those jurisdictions. Significant disputes may arise with these tax authorities involving issues of the timing and amount of deductions, the use of tax credits and allocations of income among various tax jurisdictions because of differing interpretations of tax laws and regulations. The U.S. federal income tax examinations for years ended on or before December 31, 2009, and the California state income tax examinations for years ended on or before December 31, 2005, have been completed.
	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the gross amount of our UTBs increased by approximately $85 million and $240 million, respectively, as a result of tax positions taken during the current year. Also, our UTBs decreased by approximately $200 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, due to settlement of federal and state tax matters in the first and second quarter. The settlements resulted in recognition of net tax benefits of approximately $195 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 including interest, penalties and the federal benefit of state taxes. Substantially all of the UTBs as of September 30, 2013, if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate. As of September 30, 2013, we believe it is reasonably possible that our gross liabilities for UTBs may decrease by approximately $70 million within the succeeding 12 months due to the resolution of state audits.

Earnings_per_share

Earnings per share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings per share	Earnings per share
	The computation of basic earnings per share (EPS) is based on the weighted-average number of our common shares outstanding. The computation of diluted EPS is based on the weighted-average number of our common shares outstanding and dilutive potential common shares, which include principally shares that may be issued under: our stock option, restricted stock and performance unit awards, determined using the treasury stock method; and our convertible notes and warrants while outstanding, as discussed below (collectively, “dilutive securities”). The convertible note hedges purchased in connection with the issuance of our convertible notes, which terminated in February 2013, are excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS because their impact is always anti-dilutive.
	Prior to the conversion/maturity of our 0.375% 2013 Convertible Notes in February 2013 which were cash settled, the excess of the notes' conversion value, as defined, over their principal amount were considered dilutive potential common shares for purposes of calculating diluted EPS. Warrants sold concurrent with the issuance of our 0.375% 2013 Convertible Notes were cash settled in May 2013. While outstanding, the 0.375% 2013 Convertible Notes and warrants did not have a significant impact on the number of shares used for purposes of computing diluted EPS for any periods presented. See Note 7, Financing arrangements.
	The computation for basic and diluted EPS was as follows (in millions, except per share data):
		Three months ended				Nine months ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Income (Numerator):
	Net income for basic and diluted EPS	$	1,368	$	1,107	$	4,060	$	3,557
	Shares (Denominator):
	Weighted-average shares for basic EPS	754		771		752		779
	Effect of dilutive securities	12		12		12		10
	Weighted-average shares for diluted EPS	766		783		764		789
	Basic EPS	$	1.81	$	1.44	$	5.4	$	4.57
	Diluted EPS	$	1.79	$	1.41	$	5.31	$	4.51
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the number of anti-dilutive shares of our common stock excluded from the computation of diluted EPS were not material. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, there were employee stock-based awards, calculated on a weighted-average basis, to acquire 1 million and 8 million shares of our common stock, respectively, that are not included in the computation of diluted EPS because their impact would have been anti-dilutive.

Availableforsale_investments

Available-for-sale investments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-sale investments	Available-for-sale investments
	The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and estimated fair values of available-for-sale investments by type of security were as follows (in millions):
	Type of security as of September 30, 2013	Amortized		Gross		Gross			Estimated
		cost		unrealized		unrealized			fair
				gains		losses			value
	U.S. Treasury securities	$	6,172	$	5	$	(4	)	$	6,173
	Other government-related debt securities:
	U.S.	1,130		—		(8		)	1,122
	Foreign and other	1,234		12		(38		)	1,208
	Corporate debt securities:
	Financial	3,455		30		(25		)	3,460
	Industrial	3,457		29		(28		)	3,458
	Other	335		4		(2		)	337
	Residential mortgage-backed securities	1,410		3		(16		)	1,397
	Other mortgage- and asset-backed securities	1,491		—		(39		)	1,452
	Money market mutual funds	6,907		—		—			6,907
	Total interest-bearing securities	25,591		83		(160		)	25,514
	Equity securities	72		19		—			91
	Total available-for-sale investments	$	25,663	$	102	$	(160	)	$	25,605
	Type of security as of December 31, 2012	Amortized		Gross		Gross			Estimated
		cost		unrealized		unrealized			fair
				gains		losses			value
	U.S. Treasury securities	$	4,443	$	15	$	—		$	4,458
	Other government-related debt securities:
	U.S.	1,018		12		—			1,030
	Foreign and other	1,549		60		(1		)	1,608
	Corporate debt securities:
	Financial	3,266		96		(1		)	3,361
	Industrial	4,283		100		(3		)	4,380
	Other	441		11		—			452
	Residential mortgage-backed securities	1,828		9		(8		)	1,829
	Other mortgage- and asset-backed securities	1,769		7		(9		)	1,767
	Money market mutual funds	2,620		—		—			2,620
	Other short-term interest-bearing securities	2,186		—		—			2,186
	Total interest-bearing securities	23,403		310		(22		)	23,691
	Equity securities	52		2		—			54
	Total available-for-sale investments	$	23,455	$	312	$	(22	)	$	23,745
	The fair values of available-for-sale investments by classification in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows (in millions):
	Classification in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets	September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	7,830	$	2,887
	Marketable securities	14,277		20,804
	Other assets — noncurrent	91		54
	Restricted investments	3,407		—
	Total available-for-sale investments	$	25,605	$	23,745
	Cash and cash equivalents in the table above excludes cash of $451 million and $370 million as of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, respectively. Restricted investments in the table above excludes $4 million of interest receivable related to ATL Holdings as of September 30, 2013.
	The fair values of available-for-sale interest-bearing security investments by contractual maturity, except for mortgage- and asset- backed securities that do not have a single maturity date, were as follows (in millions):
	Contractual maturity	September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Maturing in one year or less	$	10,820	$	7,175
	Maturing after one year through three years	4,671		5,014
	Maturing after three years through five years	5,742		6,286
	Maturing after five years through ten years	1,432		1,620
	Mortgage- and asset-backed securities	2,849		3,596
	Total interest-bearing securities	$	25,514	$	23,691
	For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, realized gains totaled $24 million and $31 million, respectively, and realized losses totaled $26 million and $11 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, realized gains totaled $142 million and $147 million, respectively, and realized losses totaled $70 million and $41 million, respectively. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. Substantially all of our available-for-sale investments that were in an unrealized loss position, which totaled $160 million as of September 30, 2013, have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months. These investments had an aggregate fair value of $8.5 billion as of September 30, 2013.
	The primary objective of our investment portfolio is to enhance overall returns in an efficient manner while maintaining safety of principal, prudent levels of liquidity and acceptable levels of risk. Our investment policy limits interest-bearing security investments to certain types of debt and money market instruments issued by institutions with primarily investment grade credit ratings and places restrictions on maturities and concentration by asset class and issuer.
	We review our available-for-sale investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value below our cost basis each quarter and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the cost basis of an asset may not be recoverable. This evaluation is based on a number of factors, including the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been below our cost basis and adverse conditions related specifically to the security, including any changes to the credit rating of the security. As of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, we believe the cost bases for our available-for-sale investments were recoverable in all material respects.

Inventories

Inventories	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	Inventories
	Inventories consisted of the following (in millions):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Raw materials	$	218	$	192
	Work in process	1,807		1,723
	Finished goods	813		829
	Total inventories	$	2,838	$	2,744

Financing_arrangements

Financing arrangements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Financing arrangements	Financing arrangements
	The carrying values and the fixed contractual coupon rates of our long-term borrowings were as follows (in millions):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	0.375% convertible notes due 2013 (0.375% 2013 Convertible Notes)	$	—		$	2,488
	1.875% notes due 2014 (1.875% 2014 Notes)	1,000			1,000
	4.85% notes due 2014 (4.85% 2014 Notes)	1,000			1,000
	2.30% notes due 2016 (2.30% 2016 Notes)	749			749
	2.50% notes due 2016 (2.50% 2016 Notes)	999			999
	2.125% notes due 2017 (2.125% 2017 Notes)	1,248			1,248
	5.85% notes due 2017 (5.85% 2017 Notes)	1,099			1,099
	6.15% notes due 2018 (6.15% 2018 Notes)	500			499
	Master Repurchase Agreement obligation due 2018	3,100			—
	4.375% euro-denominated notes due 2018 (4.375% 2018 euro Notes)	741			723
	5.70% notes due 2019 (5.70% 2019 Notes)	999			999
	2.125% euro-denominated notes due 2019 (2.125% 2019 euro Notes)	910			887
	4.50% notes due 2020 (4.50% 2020 Notes)	300			300
	3.45% notes due 2020 (3.45% 2020 Notes)	898			897
	4.10% notes due 2021 (4.10% 2021 Notes)	998			998
	3.875% notes due 2021 (3.875% 2021 Notes)	1,746			1,745
	3.625% notes due 2022 (3.625% 2022 Notes)	747			747
	5.50% pound-sterling-denominated notes due 2026 (5.50% 2026 pound sterling Notes)	763			763
	4.00% pound-sterling-denominated notes due 2029 (4.00% 2029 pound sterling Notes)	1,118			1,117
	6.375% notes due 2037 (6.375% 2037 Notes)	899			899
	6.90% notes due 2038 (6.90% 2038 Notes)	499			499
	6.40% notes due 2039 (6.40% 2039 Notes)	996			996
	5.75% notes due 2040 (5.75% 2040 Notes)	697			697
	4.95% notes due 2041 (4.95% 2041 Notes)	596			595
	5.15% notes due 2041 (5.15% 2041 Notes)	2,232			2,232
	5.65% notes due 2042 (5.65% 2042 Notes)	1,244			1,244
	5.375% notes due 2043 (5.375% 2043 Notes)	1,000			1,000
	Other notes	111			109
	Total debt	27,189			26,529
	Less current portion	(11		)	(2,495		)
	Total noncurrent debt	$	27,178		$	24,034
	In connection with the acquisition of Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Onyx), we entered into a Master Repurchase Agreement and a Term Loan Credit Facility described below. See Note 12, Subsequent event.
	Master Repurchase Agreement
	We entered into a Master Repurchase Agreement (Repurchase Agreement) pursuant to which Amgen sold 34,097 Class A preferred shares of one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, ATL Holdings, to the counterparty on September 30, 2013. The Class A preferred shares have a liquidation preference of $100,000 per share. Pursuant to the Repurchase Agreement, we are obligated to repurchase the Class A preferred shares from the counterparty for the aggregate sale price of $3.1 billion, plus any accrued and unpaid payment obligations described below, on September 28, 2018. The $3.1 billion obligation to repurchase the preferred shares is accounted for as long-term debt on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Debt issuance costs of $26 million incurred with respect to this transaction will be amortized over the life of the Repurchase Agreement.
	Under the Repurchase Agreement, we are obligated to make payments to the counterparty based on the sale price of the outstanding preferred shares at a floating interest rate based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 1.1%. The Repurchase Agreement contains customary events of default, and we have the right to repurchase all or a portion of the Class A preferred shares at any time prior to September 28, 2018, the required repurchase date for the Class A preferred shares.
	Term Loan Credit Facility
	On October 1, 2013, we borrowed $5.0 billion under a Term Loan Credit Facility which bears interest at a floating rate based on LIBOR plus additional interest, initially 1%, which can vary based on the credit ratings assigned to our long-term debt by Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (S&P) and Moody’s Investor Service, Inc. (Moody’s). A portion of the principal amount of this debt is to be repaid at the end of each quarter equal to 2.5% of the original amount of the loan, or $125 million, with the balance due on October 1, 2018. The outstanding balance of this loan may be prepaid in whole or in part at any time without penalty. This credit facility includes the same financial covenant as our revolving credit facility with respect to our level of borrowings in relation to our equity, as defined.
	Convertible notes
	In February 2013, our 0.375% 2013 Convertible Notes matured/converted, and accordingly, the $2.5 billion principal amount was settled in cash. We also elected to pay the note holders who converted their notes $99 million of cash for the conversion value that exceeded the principal amount of the notes, as allowed under the original terms of the notes. As a result of this conversion, we received $99 million of cash from the counterparty to the related convertible note hedge to offset the corresponding payment to the convertible note holders. In addition, on May 1, 2013, warrants to acquire 32 million shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $104.80 originally sold in connection with the issuance of the 0.375% 2013 Convertible Notes were exercised, resulting in a net cash payment of $100 million.

Stockholders_equity

Stockholders' equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' equity	Stockholders’ equity
	Stock repurchase program
	Activity under our stock repurchase program was as follows (in millions):
		2013							2012
		Shares			Dollars				Shares			Dollars
	First quarter	9.1			$	771			21			$	1,429
	Second quarter	—			—				17.4			1,203
	Third quarter	—			—				9.7			797
	Total stock repurchases	9.1			$	771			48.1			$	3,429
	As of September 30, 2013, $1.6 billion remained available under our Board of Directors-approved stock repurchase program.
	Dividends
	On December 13, 2012, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.47 per share of common stock, which was paid on March 7, 2013. On March 6, 2013, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.47 per share of common stock, which was paid on June 7, 2013. On July 26, 2013, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.47 per share of common stock, which was paid on September 6, 2013. On October 16, 2013, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.47 per share of common stock, which will be paid on December 6, 2013 to all stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 14, 2013.
	Accumulated other comprehensive income
	The components of AOCI were as follows (in millions):
		Foreign				Cash flow				Available-for-sale				Other			AOCI
		currency				hedges				securities
		translation
	Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	12			$	(35	)		$	183			$	(14	)	$	146
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	(36		)		—				—				—			(36		)
	Unrealized gains (losses)	—				(25		)		(32		)		1			(56		)
	Reclassification adjustments to income	—				144				(67		)		—			77
	Income taxes	13				(44		)		37				—			6
	Balance as of March 31, 2013	(11		)		40				121				(13		)	137
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	(39		)		—				—				—			(39		)
	Unrealized gains (losses)	—				53				(318		)		—			(265		)
	Reclassification adjustments to income	—				(18		)		(7		)		—			(25		)
	Income taxes	14				(13		)		120				—			121
	Balance as of June 30, 2013	(36		)		62				(84		)		(13		)	(71		)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	18				—				—				—			18
	Unrealized gains (losses)	—				26				74				(2		)	98
	Reclassification adjustments to income	—				(159		)		2				—			(157		)
	Income taxes	(6		)		49				(28		)		—			15
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	(24	)		$	(22	)		$	(36	)		$	(15	)	$	(97	)
	The reclassifications out of AOCI to Net income were as follows (in millions):
			Amounts reclassified out of AOCI
			Three months ended				Nine months ended
	Components of AOCI		30-Sep-13				30-Sep-13				Line item affected in the Statements of Income
	Cash flow hedges:
	Foreign currency contract gains		$	6			$	9			Product sales
	Cross-currency swap contract gains		153				25				Interest and other income, net
	Forward interest rate contract losses		—				(1		)		Interest expense, net
			159				33				Total before income tax
			(59		)		(13		)		Tax (expense)/benefit
			$	100			$	20			Net of taxes
	Available-for-sale securities:
	Net realized gains (losses)		$	(2	)		$	72			Interest and other income, net
			1				(27		)		Tax (expense)/benefit
			$	(1	)		$	45			Net of taxes

Fair_value_measurement

Fair value measurement	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair value measurement	Fair value measurement
	To estimate the fair value of our financial assets and liabilities we use valuation approaches within a hierarchy that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions about the inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability and are developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The fair value hierarchy is divided into three levels based on the source of inputs as follows:
	Level 1	—	Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access
	Level 2	—	Valuations for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly, other than level 1 inputs
	Level 3	—	Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement
	The availability of observable inputs can vary among the various types of financial assets and liabilities. To the extent that the valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. In certain cases, the inputs used for measuring fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for financial statement disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement is categorized is based on the lowest level of input used that is significant to the overall fair value measurement.
	The fair value of each major class of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis was as follows (in millions):
			Quoted prices in		Significant		Significant
			active markets for		other observable		unobservable
	Fair value measurement		identical assets		inputs		inputs
	as of September 30, 2013, using:		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)		Total
	Assets:
	Available-for-sale investments:
	U.S. Treasury securities		$	6,173	$	—	$	—	$	6,173
	Other government-related debt securities:
	U.S.		—		1,122		—		1,122
	Foreign and other		—		1,208		—		1,208
	Corporate debt securities:
	Financial		—		3,460		—		3,460
	Industrial		—		3,458		—		3,458
	Other		—		337		—		337
	Residential mortgage-backed securities		—		1,397		—		1,397
	Other mortgage- and asset-backed securities		—		1,452		—		1,452
	Money market mutual funds		6,907		—		—		6,907
	Equity securities		91		—		—		91
	Derivatives:
	Foreign currency contracts		—		36		—		36
	Cross-currency swap contracts		—		133		—		133
	Interest rate swap contracts		—		13		—		13
	Total assets		$	13,171	$	12,616	$	—	$	25,787
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives:
	Foreign currency contracts		$	—	$	71	$	—	$	71
	Cross-currency swap contracts		—		7		—		7
	Interest rate swap contracts		—		97		—		97
	Contingent consideration obligations in connection with a business combination		—		—		332		332
	Total liabilities		$	—	$	175	$	332	$	507
			Quoted prices in		Significant		Significant
			active markets for		other observable		unobservable
	Fair value measurement		identical assets		inputs		inputs
	as of December 31, 2012, using:		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)		Total
	Assets:
	Available-for-sale investments:
	U.S. Treasury securities		$	4,458	$	—	$	—	$	4,458
	Other government-related debt securities:
	U.S.		—		1,030		—		1,030
	Foreign and other		—		1,608		—		1,608
	Corporate debt securities:
	Financial		—		3,361		—		3,361
	Industrial		—		4,380		—		4,380
	Other		—		452		—		452
	Residential mortgage-backed securities		—		1,829		—		1,829
	Other mortgage- and asset-backed securities		—		1,767		—		1,767
	Money market mutual funds		2,620		—		—		2,620
	Other short-term interest-bearing securities		—		2,186		—		2,186
	Equity securities		54		—		—		54
	Derivatives:
	Foreign currency contracts		—		46		—		46
	Cross-currency swap contracts		—		65		—		65
	Total assets		$	7,132	$	16,724	$	—	$	23,856
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives:
	Foreign currency contracts		$	—	$	59	$	—	$	59
	Cross-currency swap contracts		—		6		—		6
Contingent consideration obligations in connection with a business combination		—		—		221		221
Total liabilities		$	—	$	65	$	221	$	286
The fair values of our U.S. Treasury securities, money market mutual funds and equity securities are based on quoted market prices in active markets with no valuation adjustment.
Most of our other government-related and corporate debt securities are investment grade with maturity dates of five years or less from the balance sheet date. Our other government-related debt securities portfolio is composed of securities with weighted-average credit ratings of A+ by S&P, AA- or equivalent by Moody's or Fitch, Inc. (Fitch); and our corporate debt securities portfolio has a weighted-average credit rating of A- or equivalent by S&P, BBB+ by Moody's or Fitch. We estimate the fair values of these securities by taking into consideration valuations obtained from third-party pricing services. The pricing services utilize industry standard valuation models, including both income- and market-based approaches, for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly, to estimate fair value. These inputs include reported trades of and broker/dealer quotes on the same or similar securities; issuer credit spreads; benchmark securities; and other observable inputs.
Our residential mortgage-, other mortgage- and asset-backed securities portfolio is composed entirely of senior tranches, with credit ratings of AAA by S&P, Moody's or Fitch. We estimate the fair values of these securities by taking into consideration valuations obtained from third-party pricing services. The pricing services utilize industry standard valuation models, including both income- and market-based approaches, for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly, to estimate fair value. These inputs include reported trades of and broker/dealer quotes on the same or similar securities; issuer credit spreads; benchmark securities; prepayment/default projections based on historical data; and other observable inputs.
We value our other short-term interest-bearing securities at amortized cost, which approximates fair value given their near term maturity dates.
All of our foreign currency forward and option derivatives contracts have maturities of three years or less and all are with counterparties that have minimum credit ratings of A- or equivalent by S&P, Moody’s or Fitch. We estimated the fair values of these contracts by taking into consideration valuations obtained from a third-party valuation service that utilizes an income-based industry standard valuation model for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly. These inputs include foreign currency rates, LIBOR cash and swap rates and obligor credit default swap rates. In addition, inputs for our foreign currency option contracts also include implied volatility measures. These inputs, where applicable, are at commonly quoted intervals. See Note 10, Derivative instruments.
Our cross-currency swap contracts are with counterparties that have minimum credit ratings of A- or equivalent by S&P, Moody’s or Fitch. We estimated the fair values of these contracts by taking into consideration valuations obtained from a third-party valuation service that utilizes an income-based industry standard valuation model for which all significant inputs are observable either directly or indirectly. These inputs include foreign currency exchange rates, LIBOR, swap rates, obligor credit default swap rates and cross-currency basis swap spreads. See Note 10, Derivative instruments.
Our interest rate swap contracts are with counterparties that have minimum credit ratings of A- or equivalent by S&P, Moody’s or Fitch. We estimated the fair values of these contracts by using an income-based industry standard valuation model for which all significant inputs were observable either directly or indirectly. These inputs included LIBOR, swap rates and obligor credit default swap rates. See Note 10, Derivative instruments.
As a result of our acquisition of BioVex Group, Inc. in March 2011, we are obligated to pay its former shareholders up to $575 million of additional consideration contingent upon achieving up to eight separate regulatory and sales-related milestones with regard to talimogene laherparepvec, which was acquired in the acquisition and is currently in phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of melanoma. The three largest of these potential payments are $125 million each, including the amount due if a Biologics License Application (BLA) is filed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Potential payments are also due upon the first commercial sale in each of the United States and the European Union (EU) following receipt of marketing approval which includes use of the product in specified patient populations and upon achievement of specified levels of sales within specified periods of time.
These contingent consideration obligations are recorded at their estimated fair values with any changes in fair value recognized in earnings. The fair value measurements of these obligations are based on significant unobservable inputs, including the estimated probabilities and timing of achieving the related regulatory and commercial events in connection with these milestones and, as applicable, estimated annual sales. Significant changes (increases or decreases) in these inputs would result in corresponding changes in the fair values of the contingent consideration obligations.
We revalue these contingent consideration obligations each reporting period until the related contingencies are resolved. We estimate the fair values of these obligations by using a combination of probability-adjusted discounted cash flows, option pricing techniques and a simulation model of expected annual sales. Quarterly, management in our R&D and commercial sales organizations review key assumptions used in the fair value measurements of these obligations. In the absence of any significant changes in key assumptions, the changes in fair values of these contingent consideration obligations reflect the passage of time and changes in our credit risk adjusted rate used to discount obligations to present value. During the three months ended June 30, 2013, there were increases in management's estimates of the probabilities of completing the BLA filing and receiving approval to market talimogene laherparepvec in specified patient populations in the United States and EU. Due primarily to these changes in key assumptions, the estimated aggregate fair value of the contingent consideration obligations increased $111 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. There was no change in the estimated aggregate fair value of the contingent consideration obligations during the three months ended September 30, 2013. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the estimated aggregate fair value of the contingent consideration obligations increased $2 million and $5 million, respectively. Changes in contingent consideration obligations were recorded in Other operating expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
There have been no transfers of assets or liabilities between the fair value measurement levels, and there were no material remeasurements to fair value during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, of assets and liabilities that are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
Summary of the fair value of other financial instruments
Cash equivalents
The estimated fair values of cash equivalents approximate their carrying values due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments.
Borrowings
We estimated the fair values of our long-term notes (Level 2) by taking into consideration indicative prices obtained from a third-party financial institution that utilizes industry standard valuation models, including both income- and market-based approaches, for which all significant inputs are observable either directly or indirectly. These inputs include reported trades of and broker/dealer quotes on the same or similar securities; credit spreads; benchmark yields; foreign currency exchange rates, as applicable; and other observable inputs. As of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, the aggregate fair values of our long-term debt were $28.3 billion and $29.9 billion, respectively, and the carrying values were $27.2 billion and $26.5 billion, respectively.

Derivative_instruments

Derivative instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative instruments	Derivative instruments
	The Company is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate and interest rate risks related to its business operations. To reduce our risks related to these exposures, we utilize or have utilized certain derivative instruments, including foreign currency forward, foreign currency option, cross-currency swap, forward interest rate and interest rate swap contracts. We do not use derivatives for speculative trading purposes.
	Cash flow hedges
	We are exposed to possible changes in the values of certain anticipated foreign currency cash flows resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, associated primarily with our euro-denominated international product sales. Increases and decreases in the cash flows associated with our international product sales due to movements in foreign currency exchange rates are offset partially by the corresponding increases and decreases in our international operating expenses resulting from these foreign currency exchange rate movements. To further reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on our international product sales, we enter into foreign currency forward and option contracts to hedge a portion of our projected international product sales primarily over a three-year time horizon, with, at any given point in time, a higher percentage of nearer-term projected product sales being hedged than in successive periods. As of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, we had open foreign currency forward contracts with notional amounts of $3.8 billion and $3.7 billion, respectively, and open foreign currency option contracts with notional amounts of $210 million and $200 million, respectively. These foreign currency forward and option contracts, primarily euro based, have been designated as cash flow hedges, and accordingly, the effective portions of the unrealized gains and losses on these contracts are reported in AOCI in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and reclassified to earnings in the same periods during which the hedged transactions affect earnings.
	To hedge our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk associated with certain of our long-term notes denominated in foreign currencies, we entered into cross-currency swap contracts. Under the terms of these contracts, we paid euros/pounds sterling and received U.S. dollars for the notional amounts at the inception of the contracts, and we exchange interest payments based on these notional amounts at fixed rates over the lives of the contracts in which we pay U.S. dollars and receive euros/pounds sterling. In addition, we will pay U.S. dollars to and receive euros/pounds sterling from the counterparties at the maturities of the contracts for these same notional amounts. The terms of these contracts correspond to the related hedged notes, effectively converting the interest payments and principal repayment on these notes from euros/pounds sterling to U.S. dollars. These cross-currency swap contracts have been designated as cash flow hedges, and accordingly, the effective portions of the unrealized gains and losses on these contracts are reported in AOCI and reclassified to earnings in the same periods during which the hedged debt affects earnings. The notional amounts and interest rates of our cross-currency swaps are as follows (notional amounts in millions):
		Foreign currency							U.S. dollars
	Hedged notes	Notional Amount				Interest rate			Notional Amount				Interest rate
	2.125% 2019 euro Notes	€	675			2.125	%		$	864			2.6	%
	5.50% 2026 pound sterling Notes	£	475			5.5	%		$	748			5.8	%
	4.00% 2029 pound sterling Notes	£	700			4	%		$	1,122			4.3	%
	In connection with the anticipated issuance of long-term fixed-rate debt, we occasionally enter into forward interest rate contracts in order to hedge the variability in cash flows due to changes in the applicable Treasury rate between the time we enter into these contracts and the time the related debt is issued. Gains and losses on such contracts, which are designated as cash flow hedges, are reported in AOCI and amortized into earnings over the lives of the associated debt issuances.
	The effective portion of the unrealized gain/(loss) recognized in other comprehensive income for our derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges was as follows (in millions):
		Three months ended								Nine months ended
		September 30,								September 30,
	Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships	2013				2012				2013				2012
	Foreign currency contracts	$	(137	)		$	(127	)		$	(16	)		$	(25	)
	Cross-currency swap contracts	163				38				70				11
	Forward interest rate contracts	—				—				—				(7		)
	Total	$	26			$	(89	)		$	54			$	(21	)
	The location in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and the effective portion of the gain/(loss) reclassified out of AOCI into earnings for our derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges were as follows (in millions):
				Three months ended								Nine months ended
				September 30,								September 30,
	Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships	Statements of Income location		2013				2012				2013				2012
	Foreign currency contracts	Product sales		$	6			$	38			$	9			$	67
	Cross-currency swap contracts	Interest and other income, net		153				58				25				54
	Forward interest rate contracts	Interest expense, net		—				—				(1		)		(1		)
	Total			$	159			$	96			$	33			$	120
	No portions of our cash flow hedge contracts are excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness, and the gains and losses on the ineffective portions of these hedging instruments were not material for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. As of September 30, 2013, the amounts expected to be reclassified out of AOCI into earnings over the next 12 months are approximately $20 million of net losses on our foreign currency and cross-currency swap contracts and approximately $1 million of losses on forward interest rate contracts.
	Fair value hedges
	To achieve a desired mix of fixed and floating interest rates on our long-term debt, we entered into interest rate swap contracts, which qualified and were designated as fair value hedges. The terms of these interest rate swap contracts corresponded to the related hedged debt instruments and effectively converted a fixed interest rate coupon to a floating LIBOR-based coupon over the lives of the respective notes. Due to historically low interest rates, during the three months ended June 30, 2012, we terminated our interest rate swap contracts with an aggregate notional amount of $3.6 billion with respect to our 4.85% 2014 Notes, 5.85% 2017 Notes, 6.15% 2018 Notes and 5.70% 2019 Notes with rates that ranged from LIBOR plus 0.3% to LIBOR plus 2.6%.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2013, we entered into interest rate swap contracts with an aggregate notional amount of $2.5 billion with respect to our 3.875% 2021 Notes and our 3.625% 2022 Notes. During the three months ended June 30, 2013, we entered into interest rate swap contracts with an aggregate notional amount of $1.9 billion with respect to our 3.45% 2020 Notes and our 4.10% 2021 Notes. The contracts have rates that range from three-month LIBOR plus 1.1% to three-month LIBOR plus 2.0%.
	For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges, the unrealized gain or loss on the derivative resulting from the change in fair value during the period as well as the offsetting unrealized loss or gain of the hedged item resulting from the change in fair value during the period attributable to the hedged risk is recognized in current earnings. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, we included the unrealized losses on the hedged debt of $7 million and gains of $84 million, respectively, in the same line item, Interest expense, net, in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, as the offsetting unrealized gains of $7 million and losses of $84 million, respectively, on the related interest rate swap contracts. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we included the unrealized losses on the hedged debt of $20 million in the same line item, Interest expense, net, in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, as the offsetting unrealized gains of $20 million on the related interest rate swap contracts.
	Derivatives not designated as hedges
	We enter into foreign currency forward contracts that are not designated as hedging transactions to reduce our exposure to foreign currency fluctuations of certain assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies. These exposures are hedged on a month-to-month basis. As of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, the total notional amounts of these foreign currency forward contracts were $694 million and $629 million, respectively.
	The location in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and the amount of gain/(loss) recognized in earnings for our derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments were as follows (in millions):
				Three months ended								Nine months ended
				September 30,								September 30,
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	Statements of Income location		2013				2012				2013				2012
	Foreign currency contracts	Interest and other income, net		$	15			$	3			$	10			$	13
	The fair values of derivatives included in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows (in millions):
		Derivative assets						Derivative liabilities
	30-Sep-13	Balance Sheet location		Fair value				Balance Sheet location		Fair value
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Cross-currency swap contracts	Other current assets/ Other noncurrent assets		$	133			Accrued liabilities/ Other noncurrent liabilities		$	7
	Foreign currency contracts	Other current assets/ Other noncurrent assets		36				Accrued liabilities/ Other noncurrent liabilities		71
	Interest rate swap contracts	Other current assets/ Other noncurrent assets		13				Accrued liabilities/ Other noncurrent liabilities		97
	Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments			182						175
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency contracts	Other current assets		—				Accrued liabilities		—
	Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments			—						—
	Total derivatives			$	182					$	175
		Derivative assets						Derivative liabilities
	31-Dec-12	Balance Sheet		Fair value				Balance Sheet		Fair value
		location						location
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Cross-currency swap contracts	Other current assets/ Other noncurrent assets		$	65			Accrued liabilities/ Other noncurrent liabilities		$	6
	Foreign currency contracts	Other current assets/ Other noncurrent assets		45				Accrued liabilities/ Other noncurrent liabilities		58
	Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments			110						64
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency contracts	Other current assets		1				Accrued liabilities		1
	Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments			1						1
	Total derivatives			$	111					$	65
	Our derivative contracts that were in liability positions as of September 30, 2013, contain certain credit-risk-related contingent provisions that would be triggered if: (i) we were to undergo a change in control and (ii) our or the surviving entity’s creditworthiness deteriorates, which is generally defined as having either a credit rating that is below investment grade or a materially weaker creditworthiness after the change in control. If these events were to occur, the counterparties would have the right, but not the obligation, to close the contracts under early-termination provisions. In such circumstances, the counterparties could request immediate settlement of these contracts for amounts that approximate the then current fair values of the contracts. In addition, our derivative contracts are not subject to any type of master netting arrangement, and amounts due to or from a counterparty under these contracts may only be offset against other amounts due to or from the same counterparty if an event of default or termination, as defined, were to occur.
	The cash flow effects of our derivatives contracts for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, are included within Net cash provided by operating activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Contingencies_and_commitments

Contingencies and commitments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Contingencies and commitments	Contingencies and commitments
	Contingencies
	In the ordinary course of business, we are involved in various legal proceedings and other matters, including those discussed in this Note, that are complex in nature and have outcomes that are difficult to predict. See Note 18, Contingencies and commitments to our consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, and Note 11, Contingencies and commitments to our condensed consolidated financial statements in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2013 and June 30, 2013 for further discussion of certain of our legal proceedings and other matters.
	We record accruals for loss contingencies to the extent that we conclude that it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the related loss can be reasonably estimated. We evaluate, on a quarterly basis, developments in legal proceedings and other matters that could cause an increase or decrease in the amount of the liability that has been accrued previously.
	Our legal proceedings range from cases brought by a single plaintiff to class actions with thousands of putative class members. These legal proceedings, as well as other matters, involve various aspects of our business and a variety of claims (including but not limited to patent infringement, marketing, pricing and trade practices and securities law), some of which present novel factual allegations and/or unique legal theories. In each of the matters described in this filing, in Note 18 to our consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, or in Note 11 to our condensed consolidated financial statements in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2013, and June 30, 2013, plaintiffs seek an award of a not-yet-quantified amount of damages or an amount that is not material. In addition, a number of the matters pending against us are at very early stages of the legal process (which in complex proceedings of the sort faced by us often extend for several years). As a result, none of the matters described in these filings have progressed sufficiently through discovery and/or development of important factual information and legal issues to enable us to estimate a range of possible loss, if any, or such amounts are not material. While it is not possible to accurately predict or determine the eventual outcomes of these items, an adverse determination in one or more of these items currently pending could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
	Certain recent developments concerning our legal proceedings and other matters are discussed below:
	Sandoz Patent Litigation
	As previously disclosed, Sandoz, Inc. filed a complaint against Amgen and Hoffman-La Roche, Inc. (Roche) alleging that U.S. Patent Nos. 8,063,182 and 8,163,522 are invalid and seeking a declaratory judgment of non-infringement, invalidity and unenforceability of the '182 and '522 patents. On August 16, 2013, Amgen and Roche filed a motion to dismiss Sandoz’s complaint for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. A hearing on the motion to dismiss is set for November 15, 2013.
	Onyx Litigation
	Between August 28, 2013 and September 16, 2013, nine plaintiffs filed purported class action lawsuits against Onyx, its directors, Amgen and Arena Acquisition Company, and unnamed “John Doe” defendants in connection with Amgen’s acquisition of Onyx. Seven of those purported class actions were brought in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of San Mateo, captioned Lawrence I. Silverstein and Phil Rosen v. Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., et al. (August 28, 2013) (“Silverstein”), Laura Robinson v. Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., et al. (originally filed in the Superior Court for the County of San Francisco on August 28, 2013, and re-filed in the Superior Court for the County of San Mateo on August 29, 2013) (“Robinson”), John Solak v. Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., et al. (August 30, 2013), Louisiana Municipal Police Employees’ Retirement System and Hubert Chow v. Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., et al. (September 3, 2013) (“Louisiana Municipal”), Laurine Jonopulos v. Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., et al. (September 4, 2013) (“Jonopulos”), Clifford G. Martin v. Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., et al. (September 9, 2013) (“Martin”) and Merrill L. Magowan v. Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. et al. (September 9, 2013) (“Magowan”). The eighth and ninth purported class actions were brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, captioned Mark D. Smilow, IRA v. Onyx Pharmaceuticals Inc., et al. (August 29, 2013) and William L. Fitzpatric v. Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., et al. (September 16, 2013) (“Fitzpatric”). On September 5, 2013, the plaintiff in the John Solak case filed a request for dismissal of the case without prejudice. On September 10, 2013, the plaintiff in the Mark D. Smilow, IRA case filed a notice and proposed order of voluntary dismissal of the case without prejudice. On September 10, 2013, plaintiffs in the Silverstein and Louisiana Municipal cases filed an amended complaint alleging substantially the same claims and seeking substantially the same relief as in their individual purported class action lawsuits. Each of the lawsuits alleges that the Onyx director defendants breached their fiduciary duties to Onyx shareholders, and that the other defendants aided and abetted such breaches, by seeking to sell Onyx through an allegedly unfair process and for an unfair price and on unfair terms. The Magowan and Fitzpatric complaints and the amended complaint filed in the Silverstein and Louisiana Municipal cases also allege that the individual defendants breached their fiduciary duties with respect to the contents of the tender offer solicitation material. Each of the lawsuits seeks, among other things, equitable relief that would enjoin the consummation of the proposed merger, rescission of the merger agreement (to the extent it has already been implemented), and attorneys’ fees and costs, and certain of the lawsuits seek other relief. The Silverstein, Robinson, Louisiana Municipal and Jonopulos cases were designated as “complex” and assigned to the Honorable Marie S. Weiner, who subsequently entered an order consolidating the Silverstein, Robinson, Louisiana Municipal, Jonopulos, Martin and Magowan cases.
	Federal Securities Litigation - In re Amgen Inc. Securities Litigation
	The trial date for this securities class action lawsuit pending against Amgen has been set by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California for June 1, 2015.
	Government Investigations and Qui Tam Actions
	As previously disclosed, Amgen accrued an immaterial amount to resolve the last remaining Original Qui Tam Action (as defined in Note 18, Contingencies and commitments to our consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012). In September 2013, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York granted the government’s motion to dismiss the complaint of the relator plaintiffs based on prosecutorial discretion.

Subsequent_event_Subsequent_ev

Subsequent event Subsequent event	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent event	Subsequent event
	On October 1, 2013, we completed our acquisition of Onyx, a publicly held biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development and commercialization of innovative therapies for improving the lives of people with cancer, which became a wholly owned subsidiary of Amgen. This transaction, which was accounted for as a business combination, provides us with an important and growing multiple myeloma franchise, with Kyprolis® (carfilzomib) for Injection already approved in the United States, and with oprozomib being evaluated in clinical trials for patients with hematologic malignancies. In addition, Onyx has collaborations with Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc., for two of Bayer’s marketed oncology products: Nexavar® (sorafenib) tablets, for which Onyx and Bayer have a profit-sharing relationship, and Stivarga® (regorafenib) tablets, for which Onyx receives sales-based royalties from Bayer.  Onyx also has a collaboration with Pfizer related to palbociclib, an oncology product being developed by Pfizer for which Onyx will receive sales-based royalties.
	The net cash consideration to acquire Onyx totaled approximately $9.7 billion which equals a price of $125 per share of common stock.
	Given the timing of the closing of this transaction, we are currently in the process of valuing the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the business combination. As a result, we are not yet able to provide the amounts to be recognized as of the acquisition date for the major classes of assets acquired and liabilities assumed and other related disclosures. We will include this and other related information in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
	We financed the transaction with approximately $1.6 billion cash on hand, $3.1 billion in bank debt issued on September 30, 2013, and $5.0 billion in bank debt issued on October 1, 2013. See Note 7, Financing arrangements.

Summary_of_significant_account1

Summary of significant accounting policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Business	Business
	Amgen Inc. (including its subsidiaries, referred to as “Amgen,” “the Company,” “we,” “our” or “us”) is a global biotechnology pioneer that discovers, develops, manufactures and delivers innovative human therapeutics. We operate in one business segment: human therapeutics.
Basis of presentation	Basis of presentation
	The financial information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, is unaudited but includes all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, unless otherwise indicated), which Amgen considers necessary for a fair presentation of its condensed consolidated results of operations for those periods. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for the full fiscal year.
	Prior-period amounts for amortization of certain acquired intangible assets have been reclassified within Operating expenses in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income to conform to the current-period presentation.
	The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2013, and June 30, 2013.
Principles of consolidation	Principles of consolidation
	The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Amgen as well as its majority-owned subsidiaries. We do not have any significant interests in any variable interest entities. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of estimates	Use of estimates
	The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
Product sales for U.S. Federal government stockpiles	Product sales for U.S. federal government stockpiles
	Amgen recognizes revenue from the sales of product to the U.S. federal government for stockpile in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Interpretation, Commission Guidance Regarding Accounting for Sales of Vaccines and Bioterror Countermeasures to the Federal Government for Placement into the Pediatric Vaccine Stockpile or the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). We recognized $155 million of revenue for NEUPOGEN® (filgrastim) during the three months ended September 30, 2013, for purchases by the government for the SNS. We are contracted to manage this inventory of product until the government requests shipment.
Property, plant and equipment, net	Property, plant and equipment, net
	Property, plant and equipment is recorded at historical cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $6.8 billion and $6.6 billion as of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, respectively.
Restricted investments	Restricted investments
	We have restricted investments on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet that are owned by ATL Holdings Limited (ATL Holdings), a wholly-owned subsidiary. ATL Holdings is an entity distinct from the Company and its other subsidiaries, with separate assets and liabilities. Because a third party owns Class A preferred shares of ATL Holdings, this entity is required to hold restricted cash or investments. See Note 7, Financing arrangements. On September 30, 2013, $2,881 million of marketable securities, $526 million of cash and cash equivalents and $4 million of related interest receivable were reclassified to Restricted investments on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Comprehensive income	Comprehensive income
	In January 2013, we adopted a new accounting standard that requires additional disclosures regarding amounts that are reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI). In accordance with the requirements of the standard, the effects of significant reclassifications out of AOCI, by component, on the respective lines in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income are presented in Note 8, Stockholders' equity. The standard was required to be applied prospectively beginning January 1, 2013.

Earnings_per_share_Tables

Earnings per share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation for basic and diluted earnings per share	The computation for basic and diluted EPS was as follows (in millions, except per share data):
		Three months ended				Nine months ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Income (Numerator):
	Net income for basic and diluted EPS	$	1,368	$	1,107	$	4,060	$	3,557
	Shares (Denominator):
	Weighted-average shares for basic EPS	754		771		752		779
	Effect of dilutive securities	12		12		12		10
	Weighted-average shares for diluted EPS	766		783		764		789
	Basic EPS	$	1.81	$	1.44	$	5.4	$	4.57
	Diluted EPS	$	1.79	$	1.41	$	5.31	$	4.51

Availableforsale_investments_T

Available-for-sale investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and estimated fair values of available-for-sale investments by type of security	The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and estimated fair values of available-for-sale investments by type of security were as follows (in millions):
	Type of security as of September 30, 2013	Amortized		Gross		Gross			Estimated
		cost		unrealized		unrealized			fair
				gains		losses			value
	U.S. Treasury securities	$	6,172	$	5	$	(4	)	$	6,173
	Other government-related debt securities:
	U.S.	1,130		—		(8		)	1,122
	Foreign and other	1,234		12		(38		)	1,208
	Corporate debt securities:
	Financial	3,455		30		(25		)	3,460
	Industrial	3,457		29		(28		)	3,458
	Other	335		4		(2		)	337
	Residential mortgage-backed securities	1,410		3		(16		)	1,397
	Other mortgage- and asset-backed securities	1,491		—		(39		)	1,452
	Money market mutual funds	6,907		—		—			6,907
	Total interest-bearing securities	25,591		83		(160		)	25,514
	Equity securities	72		19		—			91
	Total available-for-sale investments	$	25,663	$	102	$	(160	)	$	25,605
	Type of security as of December 31, 2012	Amortized		Gross		Gross			Estimated
		cost		unrealized		unrealized			fair
				gains		losses			value
	U.S. Treasury securities	$	4,443	$	15	$	—		$	4,458
	Other government-related debt securities:
	U.S.	1,018		12		—			1,030
	Foreign and other	1,549		60		(1		)	1,608
	Corporate debt securities:
	Financial	3,266		96		(1		)	3,361
	Industrial	4,283		100		(3		)	4,380
	Other	441		11		—			452
	Residential mortgage-backed securities	1,828		9		(8		)	1,829
	Other mortgage- and asset-backed securities	1,769		7		(9		)	1,767
	Money market mutual funds	2,620		—		—			2,620
	Other short-term interest-bearing securities	2,186		—		—			2,186
	Total interest-bearing securities	23,403		310		(22		)	23,691
	Equity securities	52		2		—			54
	Total available-for-sale investments	$	23,455	$	312	$	(22	)	$	23,745
Fair values of available-for-sale investments by classification in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	The fair values of available-for-sale investments by classification in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows (in millions):
	Classification in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets	September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	7,830	$	2,887
	Marketable securities	14,277		20,804
	Other assets — noncurrent	91		54
	Restricted investments	3,407		—
	Total available-for-sale investments	$	25,605	$	23,745
Fair values of available-for-sale interest-bearing security investments by contractual maturity	The fair values of available-for-sale interest-bearing security investments by contractual maturity, except for mortgage- and asset- backed securities that do not have a single maturity date, were as follows (in millions):
	Contractual maturity	September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Maturing in one year or less	$	10,820	$	7,175
	Maturing after one year through three years	4,671		5,014
	Maturing after three years through five years	5,742		6,286
	Maturing after five years through ten years	1,432		1,620
	Mortgage- and asset-backed securities	2,849		3,596
	Total interest-bearing securities	$	25,514	$	23,691

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	Inventories consisted of the following (in millions):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Raw materials	$	218	$	192
	Work in process	1,807		1,723
	Finished goods	813		829
	Total inventories	$	2,838	$	2,744

Financing_arrangements_Tables

Financing arrangements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Carrying values and the fixed contractual coupon rates of long-term borrowings	The carrying values and the fixed contractual coupon rates of our long-term borrowings were as follows (in millions):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	0.375% convertible notes due 2013 (0.375% 2013 Convertible Notes)	$	—		$	2,488
	1.875% notes due 2014 (1.875% 2014 Notes)	1,000			1,000
	4.85% notes due 2014 (4.85% 2014 Notes)	1,000			1,000
	2.30% notes due 2016 (2.30% 2016 Notes)	749			749
	2.50% notes due 2016 (2.50% 2016 Notes)	999			999
	2.125% notes due 2017 (2.125% 2017 Notes)	1,248			1,248
	5.85% notes due 2017 (5.85% 2017 Notes)	1,099			1,099
	6.15% notes due 2018 (6.15% 2018 Notes)	500			499
	Master Repurchase Agreement obligation due 2018	3,100			—
	4.375% euro-denominated notes due 2018 (4.375% 2018 euro Notes)	741			723
	5.70% notes due 2019 (5.70% 2019 Notes)	999			999
	2.125% euro-denominated notes due 2019 (2.125% 2019 euro Notes)	910			887
	4.50% notes due 2020 (4.50% 2020 Notes)	300			300
	3.45% notes due 2020 (3.45% 2020 Notes)	898			897
	4.10% notes due 2021 (4.10% 2021 Notes)	998			998
	3.875% notes due 2021 (3.875% 2021 Notes)	1,746			1,745
	3.625% notes due 2022 (3.625% 2022 Notes)	747			747
	5.50% pound-sterling-denominated notes due 2026 (5.50% 2026 pound sterling Notes)	763			763
	4.00% pound-sterling-denominated notes due 2029 (4.00% 2029 pound sterling Notes)	1,118			1,117
	6.375% notes due 2037 (6.375% 2037 Notes)	899			899
	6.90% notes due 2038 (6.90% 2038 Notes)	499			499
	6.40% notes due 2039 (6.40% 2039 Notes)	996			996
	5.75% notes due 2040 (5.75% 2040 Notes)	697			697
	4.95% notes due 2041 (4.95% 2041 Notes)	596			595
	5.15% notes due 2041 (5.15% 2041 Notes)	2,232			2,232
	5.65% notes due 2042 (5.65% 2042 Notes)	1,244			1,244
	5.375% notes due 2043 (5.375% 2043 Notes)	1,000			1,000
	Other notes	111			109
	Total debt	27,189			26,529
	Less current portion	(11		)	(2,495		)
	Total noncurrent debt	$	27,178		$	24,034

Stockholders_equity_Tables

Stockholders' equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]
Summary of activity under our stock repurchase program	Activity under our stock repurchase program was as follows (in millions):
		2013							2012
		Shares			Dollars				Shares			Dollars
	First quarter	9.1			$	771			21			$	1,429
	Second quarter	—			—				17.4			1,203
	Third quarter	—			—				9.7			797
	Total stock repurchases	9.1			$	771			48.1			$	3,429
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	The components of AOCI were as follows (in millions):
		Foreign				Cash flow				Available-for-sale				Other			AOCI
		currency				hedges				securities
		translation
	Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	12			$	(35	)		$	183			$	(14	)	$	146
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	(36		)		—				—				—			(36		)
	Unrealized gains (losses)	—				(25		)		(32		)		1			(56		)
	Reclassification adjustments to income	—				144				(67		)		—			77
	Income taxes	13				(44		)		37				—			6
	Balance as of March 31, 2013	(11		)		40				121				(13		)	137
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	(39		)		—				—				—			(39		)
	Unrealized gains (losses)	—				53				(318		)		—			(265		)
	Reclassification adjustments to income	—				(18		)		(7		)		—			(25		)
	Income taxes	14				(13		)		120				—			121
	Balance as of June 30, 2013	(36		)		62				(84		)		(13		)	(71		)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	18				—				—				—			18
	Unrealized gains (losses)	—				26				74				(2		)	98
	Reclassification adjustments to income	—				(159		)		2				—			(157		)
	Income taxes	(6		)		49				(28		)		—			15
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	(24	)		$	(22	)		$	(36	)		$	(15	)	$	(97	)
Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	The reclassifications out of AOCI to Net income were as follows (in millions):
			Amounts reclassified out of AOCI
			Three months ended				Nine months ended
	Components of AOCI		30-Sep-13				30-Sep-13				Line item affected in the Statements of Income
	Cash flow hedges:
	Foreign currency contract gains		$	6			$	9			Product sales
	Cross-currency swap contract gains		153				25				Interest and other income, net
	Forward interest rate contract losses		—				(1		)		Interest expense, net
			159				33				Total before income tax
			(59		)		(13		)		Tax (expense)/benefit
			$	100			$	20			Net of taxes
	Available-for-sale securities:
	Net realized gains (losses)		$	(2	)		$	72			Interest and other income, net
			1				(27		)		Tax (expense)/benefit
			$	(1	)		$	45			Net of taxes

Fair_value_measurement_Tables

Fair value measurement (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair value of each major class of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	The fair value of each major class of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis was as follows (in millions):
		Quoted prices in		Significant		Significant
		active markets for		other observable		unobservable
	Fair value measurement	identical assets		inputs		inputs
	as of September 30, 2013, using:	(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)		Total
	Assets:
	Available-for-sale investments:
	U.S. Treasury securities	$	6,173	$	—	$	—	$	6,173
	Other government-related debt securities:
	U.S.	—		1,122		—		1,122
	Foreign and other	—		1,208		—		1,208
	Corporate debt securities:
	Financial	—		3,460		—		3,460
	Industrial	—		3,458		—		3,458
	Other	—		337		—		337
	Residential mortgage-backed securities	—		1,397		—		1,397
	Other mortgage- and asset-backed securities	—		1,452		—		1,452
	Money market mutual funds	6,907		—		—		6,907
	Equity securities	91		—		—		91
	Derivatives:
	Foreign currency contracts	—		36		—		36
	Cross-currency swap contracts	—		133		—		133
	Interest rate swap contracts	—		13		—		13
	Total assets	$	13,171	$	12,616	$	—	$	25,787
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives:
	Foreign currency contracts	$	—	$	71	$	—	$	71
	Cross-currency swap contracts	—		7		—		7
	Interest rate swap contracts	—		97		—		97
	Contingent consideration obligations in connection with a business combination	—		—		332		332
	Total liabilities	$	—	$	175	$	332	$	507
		Quoted prices in		Significant		Significant
		active markets for		other observable		unobservable
	Fair value measurement	identical assets		inputs		inputs
	as of December 31, 2012, using:	(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)		Total
	Assets:
	Available-for-sale investments:
	U.S. Treasury securities	$	4,458	$	—	$	—	$	4,458
	Other government-related debt securities:
	U.S.	—		1,030		—		1,030
	Foreign and other	—		1,608		—		1,608
	Corporate debt securities:
	Financial	—		3,361		—		3,361
	Industrial	—		4,380		—		4,380
	Other	—		452		—		452
	Residential mortgage-backed securities	—		1,829		—		1,829
	Other mortgage- and asset-backed securities	—		1,767		—		1,767
	Money market mutual funds	2,620		—		—		2,620
	Other short-term interest-bearing securities	—		2,186		—		2,186
	Equity securities	54		—		—		54
	Derivatives:
	Foreign currency contracts	—		46		—		46
	Cross-currency swap contracts	—		65		—		65
	Total assets	$	7,132	$	16,724	$	—	$	23,856
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives:
	Foreign currency contracts	$	—	$	59	$	—	$	59
	Cross-currency swap contracts	—		6		—		6
	Contingent consideration obligations in connection with a business combination	—		—		221		221
	Total liabilities	$	—	$	65	$	221	$	286

Derivative_instruments_Tables

Derivative instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of notional amounts and interest rates for cross-currency swaps	The notional amounts and interest rates of our cross-currency swaps are as follows (notional amounts in millions):
		Foreign currency							U.S. dollars
	Hedged notes	Notional Amount				Interest rate			Notional Amount				Interest rate
	2.125% 2019 euro Notes	€	675			2.125	%		$	864			2.6	%
	5.50% 2026 pound sterling Notes	£	475			5.5	%		$	748			5.8	%
	4.00% 2029 pound sterling Notes	£	700			4	%		$	1,122			4.3	%
Effective portion of the unrealized gain (loss) recognized in Other Comprehensive Income for our derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges	The effective portion of the unrealized gain/(loss) recognized in other comprehensive income for our derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges was as follows (in millions):
		Three months ended								Nine months ended
		September 30,								September 30,
	Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships	2013				2012				2013				2012
	Foreign currency contracts	$	(137	)		$	(127	)		$	(16	)		$	(25	)
	Cross-currency swap contracts	163				38				70				11
	Forward interest rate contracts	—				—				—				(7		)
	Total	$	26			$	(89	)		$	54			$	(21	)
Location in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and the effective portion of gain (loss) reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into earnings for our derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges	The location in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and the effective portion of the gain/(loss) reclassified out of AOCI into earnings for our derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges were as follows (in millions):
				Three months ended								Nine months ended
				September 30,								September 30,
	Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships	Statements of Income location		2013				2012				2013				2012
	Foreign currency contracts	Product sales		$	6			$	38			$	9			$	67
	Cross-currency swap contracts	Interest and other income, net		153				58				25				54
	Forward interest rate contracts	Interest expense, net		—				—				(1		)		(1		)
	Total			$	159			$	96			$	33			$	120
Location in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and the amount of gain (loss) recognized in earnings for the derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	The location in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and the amount of gain/(loss) recognized in earnings for our derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments were as follows (in millions):
				Three months ended								Nine months ended
				September 30,								September 30,
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	Statements of Income location		2013				2012				2013				2012
	Foreign currency contracts	Interest and other income, net		$	15			$	3			$	10			$	13
Fair values of derivatives included in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets	The fair values of derivatives included in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows (in millions):
		Derivative assets						Derivative liabilities
	30-Sep-13	Balance Sheet location		Fair value				Balance Sheet location		Fair value
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Cross-currency swap contracts	Other current assets/ Other noncurrent assets		$	133			Accrued liabilities/ Other noncurrent liabilities		$	7
	Foreign currency contracts	Other current assets/ Other noncurrent assets		36				Accrued liabilities/ Other noncurrent liabilities		71
	Interest rate swap contracts	Other current assets/ Other noncurrent assets		13				Accrued liabilities/ Other noncurrent liabilities		97
	Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments			182						175
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency contracts	Other current assets		—				Accrued liabilities		—
	Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments			—						—
	Total derivatives			$	182					$	175
		Derivative assets						Derivative liabilities
	31-Dec-12	Balance Sheet		Fair value				Balance Sheet		Fair value
		location						location
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Cross-currency swap contracts	Other current assets/ Other noncurrent assets		$	65			Accrued liabilities/ Other noncurrent liabilities		$	6
	Foreign currency contracts	Other current assets/ Other noncurrent assets		45				Accrued liabilities/ Other noncurrent liabilities		58
	Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments			110						64
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency contracts	Other current assets		1				Accrued liabilities		1
	Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments			1						1
	Total derivatives			$	111					$	65

Summary_of_significant_account2

Summary of significant accounting policies (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Other Operating Expenses [Member]

Other Operating Expenses [Member]

Other Operating Expenses [Member]

Other Operating Expenses [Member]

ATL Holdings [Member]

ATL Holdings [Member]

ATL Holdings [Member]

NEUPOGEN [Member]

Marketable Securities [Member]

Interest Receivable [Member]

U.S. federal government stockpiles [Member]

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Accumulated depreciation and amortization on property, plant and equipment

$6,800,000,000

$6,800,000,000

$6,600,000,000

Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]

Product sales

4,647,000,000

4,201,000,000

13,393,000,000

12,302,000,000

155,000,000

Restricted investments

Increase in restricted cash and cash equivalents

526,000,000

0

526,000,000

Transfer from investments

2,881,000,000

4,000,000

Cost savings initiatives

Charges for cost savings initiatives

$35,000,000

$36,000,000

$46,000,000

$106,000,000

Business_combinations_Details

Business combinations (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 10, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified			de CODE Genetics [Member]	de CODE Genetics [Member]
Business Combinations (Textual) [Abstract]
Total consideration			$401
Finite-lived intangible assets comprised of databases and other proprietary information			465
Finite-lived intangible assets, estimated useful life (in years)			10 years
Goodwill arising from business combinations	12,572	12,662	47
Deferred tax liabiities			93
Other assets and liabilities, net			18
Reduction in acquisition date fair value of goodwill				46
Increase in acquisition date fair value of finite-lived intangible assets				$64

Income_taxes_Details

Income taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income taxes (Textual) [Abstract]
Effective income tax rate	9.00%	12.40%	4.50%	12.90%
Effective tax rate for the period excluding the impact of the tax credits associated with the new Pr excise tax	13.80%	17.70%	9.80%	18.30%
Increase in gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits for period	$85		$240
Decrease in unrecognized tax benefits resulting from settlement with taxing authorities			200
Net tax benefit from settlement with taxing authorities			195
Decrease in unrecognized tax benefits that is reasonably possible within the succeeding 12 months due to resolution of federal and state audits	$70		$70
Puerto Rico Excise Tax [Member]
Puerto Rico Excise Tax Rate [Line Items]
Period that excise tax is imposed			6 years
Effective excise tax rate for 2011			4.00%
Effective excise tax rate for 2016			1.00%
Excise excise tax rate for July 2013 through December 31, 2017			4.00%

Earnings_per_share_Details

Earnings per share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income (Numerator):
Net income for basic and diluted EPS	$1,368	$1,107	$4,060	$3,557
Shares (Denominator):
Weighted-average shares for basic EPS	754	771	752	779
Effect of dilutive securities	12	12	12	10
Weighted-average shares for diluted EPS	766	783	764	789
Basic EPS (in usd per share)	$1.81	$1.44	$5.40	$4.57
Diluted EPS (in usd per share)	$1.79	$1.41	$5.31	$4.51

Earnings_per_share_Details_Tex

Earnings per share (Details Textual)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share, amount	1	8

Availableforsale_investments_D

Available-for-sale investments (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and estimated fair values of available-for-sale investments by type of security
Amortized cost	$25,663	$23,455
Gross unrealized gains	102	312
Gross unrealized losses	-160	-22
Total available-for-sale investments	25,605	23,745
U.S. Treasury securities [Member]
Amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and estimated fair values of available-for-sale investments by type of security
Amortized cost	6,172	4,443
Gross unrealized gains	5	15
Gross unrealized losses	-4	0
Total available-for-sale investments	6,173	4,458
Other government-related debt securities - U.S. [Member]
Amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and estimated fair values of available-for-sale investments by type of security
Amortized cost	1,130	1,018
Gross unrealized gains	0	12
Gross unrealized losses	-8	0
Total available-for-sale investments	1,122	1,030
Other government-related debt securities - Foreign and other [Member]
Amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and estimated fair values of available-for-sale investments by type of security
Amortized cost	1,234	1,549
Gross unrealized gains	12	60
Gross unrealized losses	-38	-1
Total available-for-sale investments	1,208	1,608
Corporate debt securities - Financial [Member]
Amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and estimated fair values of available-for-sale investments by type of security
Amortized cost	3,455	3,266
Gross unrealized gains	30	96
Gross unrealized losses	-25	-1
Total available-for-sale investments	3,460	3,361
Corporate debt securities - Industrial [Member]
Amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and estimated fair values of available-for-sale investments by type of security
Amortized cost	3,457	4,283
Gross unrealized gains	29	100
Gross unrealized losses	-28	-3
Total available-for-sale investments	3,458	4,380
Corporate debt securities - Other [Member]
Amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and estimated fair values of available-for-sale investments by type of security
Amortized cost	335	441
Gross unrealized gains	4	11
Gross unrealized losses	-2	0
Total available-for-sale investments	337	452
Residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and estimated fair values of available-for-sale investments by type of security
Amortized cost	1,410	1,828
Gross unrealized gains	3	9
Gross unrealized losses	-16	-8
Total available-for-sale investments	1,397	1,829
Other mortgage- and asset-backed securities [Member]
Amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and estimated fair values of available-for-sale investments by type of security
Amortized cost	1,491	1,769
Gross unrealized gains	0	7
Gross unrealized losses	-39	-9
Total available-for-sale investments	1,452	1,767
Money market mutual funds [Member]
Amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and estimated fair values of available-for-sale investments by type of security
Amortized cost	6,907	2,620
Gross unrealized gains	0	0
Gross unrealized losses	0	0
Total available-for-sale investments	6,907	2,620
Other short-term interest-bearing securities [Member]
Amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and estimated fair values of available-for-sale investments by type of security
Amortized cost		2,186
Gross unrealized gains		0
Gross unrealized losses		0
Total available-for-sale investments		2,186
Total interest-bearing securities [Member]
Amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and estimated fair values of available-for-sale investments by type of security
Amortized cost	25,591	23,403
Gross unrealized gains	83	310
Gross unrealized losses	-160	-22
Total available-for-sale investments	25,514	23,691
Equity securities [Member]
Amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and estimated fair values of available-for-sale investments by type of security
Amortized cost	72	52
Gross unrealized gains	19	2
Gross unrealized losses	0	0
Total available-for-sale investments	$91	$54

Availableforsale_investments_D1

Available-for-sale investments (Details 1) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair values of available-for-sale investments by classification in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Cash and cash equivalents	$8,281	$3,257	$5,823	$6,946
Marketable securities	14,277	20,804
Other assets — noncurrent	1,450	1,133
Restricted investments	3,411	0
Total available-for-sale investments	25,605	23,745
Available-for-sale investments [Member]
Fair values of available-for-sale investments by classification in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Cash and cash equivalents	7,830	2,887
Other assets — noncurrent	91	54
Restricted investments		0
ATL Holdings [Member] | Available-for-sale investments [Member]
Fair values of available-for-sale investments by classification in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Restricted investments	$3,407

Availableforsale_investments_D2

Available-for-sale investments (Details 2) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair values of available-for-sale debt security investments by contractual maturity
Maturing in one year or less	$10,820	$7,175
Maturing after one year through three years	4,671	5,014
Maturing after three years through five years	5,742	6,286
Maturing after five years through ten years	1,432	1,620
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities	2,849	3,596
Total available-for-sale investments	25,605	23,745
Total interest-bearing securities [Member]
Fair values of available-for-sale debt security investments by contractual maturity
Total available-for-sale investments	$25,514	$23,691

Availableforsale_investments_D3

Available-for-sale investments (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Available-for-sale investments (Textual) [Abstract]
Cash	$451,000,000		$451,000,000		$370,000,000
Total realized gains	24,000,000	31,000,000	142,000,000	147,000,000
Total realized losses	26,000,000	11,000,000	70,000,000	41,000,000
Available for sale securities gross unrealized loss accumulated in investments	160,000,000		160,000,000		22,000,000
Continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months	8,500,000,000		8,500,000,000
ATL Holdings [Member]
Investments [Line Items]
Interest receivable	$4,000,000		$4,000,000

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Inventories
Raw materials	$218	$192
Work in process	1,807	1,723
Finished goods	813	829
Total inventories	$2,838	$2,744

Financing_arrangements_Details

Financing arrangements (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Carrying values of long-term borrowings
Total debt	$27,189	$26,529
Less current portion	-11	-2,495
Total noncurrent debt	27,178	24,034
0.375% convertible notes due 2013 (0.375% 2013 Convertible Notes) [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	0.38%	0.38%
Carrying values of long-term borrowings
Convertible notes, current	0	2,488
1.875% notes due 2014 (1.875% 2014 Notes) [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	1.88%	1.88%
Carrying values of long-term borrowings
Total noncurrent debt	1,000	1,000
4.85% notes due 2014 (4.85% 2014 Notes) [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	4.85%	4.85%
Carrying values of long-term borrowings
Total noncurrent debt	1,000	1,000
2.30% notes due 2016 (2.30% 2016 Notes) [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	2.30%	2.30%
Carrying values of long-term borrowings
Total noncurrent debt	749	749
2.50% notes due 2016 (2.50% 2016 Notes) [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	2.50%	2.50%
Carrying values of long-term borrowings
Total noncurrent debt	999	999
2.125% notes due 2017 (2.125% 2017 Notes) [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	2.13%	2.13%
Carrying values of long-term borrowings
Total noncurrent debt	1,248	1,248
5.85% notes due 2017 (5.85% 2017 Notes) [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	5.85%	5.85%
Carrying values of long-term borrowings
Total noncurrent debt	1,099	1,099
6.15% notes due 2018 (6.15% 2018 Notes) [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	6.15%	6.15%
Carrying values of long-term borrowings
Total noncurrent debt	500	499
Master Repurchase Agreement Obligation due 2018 [Member]
Carrying values of long-term borrowings
Loans payable to bank, noncurrent	3,100
4.375% euro denominated notes due 2018 (4.375% 2018 euro Notes) [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	4.38%	4.38%
Carrying values of long-term borrowings
Total noncurrent debt	741	723
5.70% notes due 2019 (5.70% 2019 Notes) [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	5.70%	5.70%
Carrying values of long-term borrowings
Total noncurrent debt	999	999
2.125% euro denominated notes due 2019 (2.125% 2019 euro Notes) [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	2.13%	2.13%
Carrying values of long-term borrowings
Total noncurrent debt	910	887
4.50% notes due 2020 (4.50% 2020 Notes) [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	4.50%	4.50%
Carrying values of long-term borrowings
Total noncurrent debt	300	300
3.45% notes due 2020 (3.45% 2020 Notes) [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	3.45%	3.45%
Carrying values of long-term borrowings
Total noncurrent debt	898	897
4.10% notes due 2021 (4.10% 2021 Notes) [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	4.10%	4.10%
Carrying values of long-term borrowings
Total noncurrent debt	998	998
3.875% notes due 2021 (3.875% 2021 Notes) [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	3.88%	3.88%
Carrying values of long-term borrowings
Total noncurrent debt	1,746	1,745
3.625% notes due 2022 (3.625% 2022 Notes) [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	3.63%	3.63%
Carrying values of long-term borrowings
Total noncurrent debt	747	747
5.50% pound sterling denominated notes due 2026 (5.50% 2026 pound sterling Notes) [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	5.50%	5.50%
Carrying values of long-term borrowings
Total noncurrent debt	763	763
4.00% pound sterling denominated notes due 2029 (4.00% 2029 pound sterling Notes) [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	4.00%	4.00%
Carrying values of long-term borrowings
Total noncurrent debt	1,118	1,117
6.375% notes due 2037 (6.375% 2037 Notes) [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	6.38%	6.38%
Carrying values of long-term borrowings
Total noncurrent debt	899	899
6.90% notes due 2038 (6.90% 2038 Notes) [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	6.90%	6.90%
Carrying values of long-term borrowings
Total noncurrent debt	499	499
6.40% notes due 2039 (6.40% 2039 Notes) [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	6.40%	6.40%
Carrying values of long-term borrowings
Total noncurrent debt	996	996
5.75% notes due 2040 (5.75% 2040 Notes) [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	5.75%	5.75%
Carrying values of long-term borrowings
Total noncurrent debt	697	697
4.95% notes due 2041 (4.95% 2041 Notes) [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	4.95%	4.95%
Carrying values of long-term borrowings
Total noncurrent debt	596	595
5.15% notes due 2041 (5.15% 2041 Notes) [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	5.15%	5.15%
Carrying values of long-term borrowings
Total noncurrent debt	2,232	2,232
5.65% notes due 2042 (5.65% 2042 Notes) [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	5.65%	5.65%
Carrying values of long-term borrowings
Total noncurrent debt	1,244	1,244
5.375% notes due 2043 (5.375% 2043 Notes) [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	5.38%	5.38%
Carrying values of long-term borrowings
Total noncurrent debt	1,000	1,000
Other notes [Member]
Carrying values of long-term borrowings
Total noncurrent debt	$111	$109

Financing_arrangements_Details1

Financing arrangements (Details Textual) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		0 Months Ended		1 Months Ended			9 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Oct. 01, 2013	1-May-13	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 01, 2013
	Master Repurchase Agreement Obligation due 2018 [Member]	Master Repurchase Agreement Obligation due 2018 [Member]	Term Loan Credit Facility [Member]	0.375% convertible notes due 2013 (0.375% 2013 Convertible Notes) [Member]	0.375% convertible notes due 2013 (0.375% 2013 Convertible Notes) [Member]	0.375% convertible notes due 2013 (0.375% 2013 Convertible Notes) [Member]	ATL Holdings [Member]	Class A Preferred Shares [Member]	London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]	London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
			Subsequent Event [Member]			Value in Excess of Principal [Member]	Master Repurchase Agreement Obligation due 2018 [Member]	ATL Holdings [Member]	Master Repurchase Agreement Obligation due 2018 [Member]	Term Loan Credit Facility [Member]
							subsidiary	Master Repurchase Agreement Obligation due 2018 [Member]		Subsequent Event [Member]
Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Preferred shares sold								34,097
Sale of stock, number of wholly-owned subsidiaries							1
Liquidation preference per share (in usd per share)							$100,000
Debt issuance cost	$26
Debt instrument, description of variable rate basis	London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)		LIBOR
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate									1.10%	1.00%
Quarterly principal payment in percent			2.50%
Quarterly principal payment, amount			125
Loans payable to bank, noncurrent	3,100		5,000
Repayment of convertible notes					2,500	99
Cash settlement of convertible bond hedge					99
Number of shares acquired by warrants issued in connection with debt				32,000,000
Exercise price of warrants (in usd per warrant)				104.8
Net cash settlement of warrants				$100

Stockholders_equity_Details

Stockholders' equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Stock repurchase program
Stock repurchases, in shares	0	0	9.1	9.7	17.4	21	9.1	48.1
Stock repurchases, in dollars	$0	$0	$771	$797	$1,203	$1,429	$771	$3,429

Stockholders_equity_Details_1

Stockholders' equity (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance, Foreign currency translation	($36)	($11)	$12
Beginning balance, Cash flow hedges	62	40	-35
Beginning balance, Available-for-sale securities	-84	121	183
Beginning balance, Other	-13	-13	-14
Beginning balance, AOCI	-71	137	146
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustments	18	-39	-36
Unrealized gains (losses), Cash flow hedges	26	53	-25
Unrealized gains (losses), Available-for-sale securities	74	-318	-32
Unrealized gains (losses), Other	-2	0	1
Unrealized gains (losses), AOCI	98	-265	-56
Reclassification adjustments to income, Foreign currency translation	0	0	0
Reclassification adjustments to income, Cash flow hedges	-159	-18	144
Reclassification adjustments to income, Available-for-sale securities	2	-7	-67
Reclassification adjustments to income, AOCI	-157	-25	77
Income taxes, Foreign currency translation	-6	14	13
Income taxes, Cash flow hedges	49	-13	-44
Income taxes, Available-for-sale securities	-28	120	37
Income taxes, Other	0	0	0
Income taxes, AOCI	15	121	6
Ending balance, Foreign currency translation	-24	-36	-11
Ending balance, Cash flow hedges	-22	62	40
Ending balance, Available-for-sale securities	-36	-84	121
Ending balance, Other	-15	-13	-13
Ending balance, AOCI	($97)	($71)	$137

Stockholders_equity_Details_2

Stockholders' equity (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Product sales	$4,647	$4,201	$13,393	$12,302
Interest and other income, net	72	111	332	359
Interest expense, net	-257	-271	-761	-762
Income before income taxes	1,503	1,263	4,251	4,086
Tax (expense)/benefit	-135	-156	-191	-529
Net income	1,368	1,107	4,060	3,557
Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Product sales	6		9
Interest and other income, net	153		25
Interest expense, net	0		-1
Income before income taxes	159	96	33	120
Tax (expense)/benefit	-59		-13
Net income	100		20
Realized Gains and Losses on Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest and other income, net	-2		72
Tax (expense)/benefit	1		-27
Net income	($1)		$45

Stockholders_equity_Details_Te

Stockholders' equity (Details Textual) (USD $)	1 Months Ended						3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
In Billions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 06, 2013	Jul. 26, 2013	Jun. 07, 2013	Mar. 07, 2013	Mar. 06, 2013	Dec. 13, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Oct. 16, 2013
											Subsequent Event [Member]
Equity [Abstract]
Amount available for stock repurchases under a board approved stock repurchase plan									$1.60
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Common stock, dividends declared per share (in usd per share)		$0.47			$0.47	$0.47					$0.47
Dividends paid per share (in usd per share)	$0.47		$0.47	$0.47			$0.47	$0.36	$1.41	$1.08

Fair_value_measurement_Details

Fair value measurement (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	$25,605	$23,745
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Derivative Assets:
Interest rate swap contracts	13
Total assets	25,787	23,856
Derivative Liabilities:
Interest rate swap contracts	97
Contingent consideration obligations in connection with a business combination	332	221
Total liabilities	507	286
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Foreign currency contracts [Member]
Derivative Assets:
Foreign currency contracts	36	46
Derivative Liabilities:
Foreign currency contracts	71	59
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Cross currency swap contracts [Member]
Derivative Assets:
Foreign currency contracts	133	65
Derivative Liabilities:
Foreign currency contracts	7	6
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | U.S. Treasury securities [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	6,173	4,458
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Other government-related debt securities - U.S. [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	1,122	1,030
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Other government-related debt securities - Foreign and other [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	1,208	1,608
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate debt securities - Financial [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	3,460	3,361
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate debt securities - Industrial [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	3,458	4,380
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate debt securities - Other [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	337	452
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	1,397	1,829
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Other mortgage- and asset-backed securities [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	1,452	1,767
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Money market mutual funds [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	6,907	2,620
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Other short-term interest-bearing securities [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments		2,186
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Equity securities [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	91	54
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member]
Derivative Assets:
Interest rate swap contracts	0
Total assets	13,171	7,132
Derivative Liabilities:
Interest rate swap contracts	0
Contingent consideration obligations in connection with a business combination	0	0
Total liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Foreign currency contracts [Member]
Derivative Assets:
Foreign currency contracts	0	0
Derivative Liabilities:
Foreign currency contracts	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Cross currency swap contracts [Member]
Derivative Assets:
Foreign currency contracts	0	0
Derivative Liabilities:
Foreign currency contracts	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | U.S. Treasury securities [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	6,173	4,458
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Other government-related debt securities - U.S. [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Other government-related debt securities - Foreign and other [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Corporate debt securities - Financial [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Corporate debt securities - Industrial [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Corporate debt securities - Other [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Other mortgage- and asset-backed securities [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Money market mutual funds [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	6,907	2,620
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Other short-term interest-bearing securities [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Equity securities [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	91	54
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Derivative Assets:
Interest rate swap contracts	13
Total assets	12,616	16,724
Derivative Liabilities:
Interest rate swap contracts	97
Contingent consideration obligations in connection with a business combination	0	0
Total liabilities	175	65
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Foreign currency contracts [Member]
Derivative Assets:
Foreign currency contracts	36	46
Derivative Liabilities:
Foreign currency contracts	71	59
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Cross currency swap contracts [Member]
Derivative Assets:
Foreign currency contracts	133	65
Derivative Liabilities:
Foreign currency contracts	7	6
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | U.S. Treasury securities [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Other government-related debt securities - U.S. [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	1,122	1,030
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Other government-related debt securities - Foreign and other [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	1,208	1,608
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Corporate debt securities - Financial [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	3,460	3,361
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Corporate debt securities - Industrial [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	3,458	4,380
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Corporate debt securities - Other [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	337	452
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	1,397	1,829
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Other mortgage- and asset-backed securities [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	1,452	1,767
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Money market mutual funds [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Other short-term interest-bearing securities [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments		2,186
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Equity securities [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Derivative Assets:
Interest rate swap contracts	0
Total assets	0	0
Derivative Liabilities:
Interest rate swap contracts	0
Contingent consideration obligations in connection with a business combination	332	221
Total liabilities	332	221
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Foreign currency contracts [Member]
Derivative Assets:
Foreign currency contracts	0	0
Derivative Liabilities:
Foreign currency contracts	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Cross currency swap contracts [Member]
Derivative Assets:
Foreign currency contracts	0	0
Derivative Liabilities:
Foreign currency contracts	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | U.S. Treasury securities [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Other government-related debt securities - U.S. [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Other government-related debt securities - Foreign and other [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Corporate debt securities - Financial [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Corporate debt securities - Industrial [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Corporate debt securities - Other [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Other mortgage- and asset-backed securities [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Money market mutual funds [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Other short-term interest-bearing securities [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Equity securities [Member]
Assets:
Total available-for-sale investments	$0	$0

Fair_value_measurements_Detail

Fair value measurements (Details Textual) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		9 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
			BioVex Group Inc [Member]	BioVex Group Inc [Member]	BioVex Group Inc [Member]	BioVex Group Inc [Member]	BioVex Group Inc [Member]	Other Government-related and Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
			ContingentConsideration	Other Operating Expenses [Member]	Other Operating Expenses [Member]	Other Operating Expenses [Member]	Other Operating Expenses [Member]
Business Combinations [Line Items]
Investment maturity period								5 years
Length of time hedged in foreign currency contracts	3 years
Maximum additional consideration due contingent on milestones			$575,000,000
Maximum number of contingent consideration payments for achieving regulatory and sales related milestones			8
The number of payments that will potentially be made that each equal the largest potential contingent consideration payment			3
Largest potential contingent consideration payments			125,000,000
Change in fair values of contingent consideration obligations				0	2,000,000	111,000,000	5,000,000
Fair Value Measurement (Textual) [Abstract]
Aggregate fair value of long-term debt, including current portion	28,300,000,000	29,900,000,000
Carrying value of long-term debt, including current portion	$27,189,000,000	$26,529,000,000

Derivative_Instruments_Details

Derivative Instruments (Details) (Cash flow hedge [Member], Cross currency swap contracts [Member])

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

2.125% euro denominated notes due 2019 (2.125% 2019 euro Notes) [Member]

2.125% euro denominated notes due 2019 (2.125% 2019 euro Notes) [Member]

5.50% pound sterling denominated notes due 2026 (5.50% 2026 pound sterling Notes) [Member]

5.50% pound sterling denominated notes due 2026 (5.50% 2026 pound sterling Notes) [Member]

4.00% pound sterling denominated notes due 2029 (4.00% 2029 pound sterling Notes) [Member]

4.00% pound sterling denominated notes due 2029 (4.00% 2029 pound sterling Notes) [Member]

Interest rate received [Member]

Interest rate received [Member]

Interest rate received [Member]

Interest rate paid [Member]

Interest rate paid [Member]

Interest rate paid [Member]

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

2.125% euro denominated notes due 2019 (2.125% 2019 euro Notes) [Member]

5.50% pound sterling denominated notes due 2026 (5.50% 2026 pound sterling Notes) [Member]

4.00% pound sterling denominated notes due 2029 (4.00% 2029 pound sterling Notes) [Member]

2.125% euro denominated notes due 2019 (2.125% 2019 euro Notes) [Member]

5.50% pound sterling denominated notes due 2026 (5.50% 2026 pound sterling Notes) [Member]

4.00% pound sterling denominated notes due 2029 (4.00% 2029 pound sterling Notes) [Member]

Derivative [Line Items]

Notional Amount

$864

€ 675

$748

£ 475

$1,122

£ 700

Fixed Interest Rate

2.13%

5.50%

4.00%

2.60%

5.80%

4.30%

Recovered_Sheet1

Derivative instruments (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Effective portion of the unrealized gain (loss) recognized in Other Comprehensive Income for our derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments recognized in Other Comprehensive Income, effective portion, net	$26	($89)	$54	($21)
Foreign currency contracts [Member]
Effective portion of the unrealized gain (loss) recognized in Other Comprehensive Income for our derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments recognized in Other Comprehensive Income, effective portion, net	-137	-127	-16	-25
Cross currency swap contracts [Member]
Effective portion of the unrealized gain (loss) recognized in Other Comprehensive Income for our derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments recognized in Other Comprehensive Income, effective portion, net	163	38	70	11
Forward interest rate contracts [Member]
Effective portion of the unrealized gain (loss) recognized in Other Comprehensive Income for our derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments recognized in Other Comprehensive Income, effective portion, net	$0	$0	$0	($7)

Derivative_instruments_Details1

Derivative instruments (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Product sales	$4,647	$4,201	$13,393	$12,302
Interest and other income, net	72	111	332	359
Interest expense, net	-257	-271	-761	-762
Income before income taxes	1,503	1,263	4,251	4,086
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Product sales	6		9
Interest and other income, net	153		25
Interest expense, net	0		-1
Income before income taxes	159	96	33	120
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Foreign currency contracts [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Product sales	6	38	9	67
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Cross currency swap contracts [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Interest and other income, net	153	58	25	54
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Forward interest rate contracts [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Interest expense, net	$0	$0	($1)	($1)

Derivative_instruments_Details2

Derivative instruments (Details 3) (Foreign currency contracts [Member], Interest and other income, net [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Foreign currency contracts [Member] | Interest and other income, net [Member]
Location in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and the amount of gain (loss) recognized in earnings for our derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in interest and other income, net	$15	$3	$10	$13

Derivative_instruments_Details3

Derivative instruments (Details 4) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Assets
Total derivative assets, fair value	$182	$111
Liabilities
Total derivative liabilities, fair value	175	65
Derivatives designated as hedging instrument [Member]
Assets
Total derivative assets, fair value	182	110
Liabilities
Total derivative liabilities, fair value	175	64
Derivatives not designated as hedging instrument [Member]
Assets
Total derivative assets, fair value	0	1
Liabilities
Total derivative liabilities, fair value	0	1
Cross currency swap contracts [Member] | Other current assets/Other noncurrent assets [Member] | Derivatives designated as hedging instrument [Member]
Assets
Total derivative assets, fair value	133	65
Cross currency swap contracts [Member] | Accrued liabilities/Other noncurrent liabilities [Member] | Derivatives designated as hedging instrument [Member]
Liabilities
Total derivative liabilities, fair value	7	6
Foreign currency contracts [Member] | Other current assets/Other noncurrent assets [Member] | Derivatives designated as hedging instrument [Member]
Assets
Total derivative assets, fair value	36	45
Foreign currency contracts [Member] | Other current assets [Member] | Derivatives not designated as hedging instrument [Member]
Assets
Total derivative assets, fair value	0	1
Foreign currency contracts [Member] | Accrued liabilities/Other noncurrent liabilities [Member] | Derivatives designated as hedging instrument [Member]
Liabilities
Total derivative liabilities, fair value	71	58
Foreign currency contracts [Member] | Accrued liabilities [Member] | Derivatives not designated as hedging instrument [Member]
Liabilities
Total derivative liabilities, fair value	0	1
Interest rate swap contracts [Member] | Other current assets/Other noncurrent assets [Member] | Derivatives designated as hedging instrument [Member]
Assets
Total derivative assets, fair value	13
Interest rate swap contracts [Member] | Accrued liabilities/Other noncurrent liabilities [Member] | Derivatives designated as hedging instrument [Member]
Liabilities
Total derivative liabilities, fair value	$97

Derivative_instruments_Details4

Derivative instruments (Details Textual) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Interest expense, net [Member]

Interest expense, net [Member]

Interest expense, net [Member]

Foreign currency and cross currency swap contracts [Member]

Forward interest rate contracts [Member]

Rate adjustment to LIBOR on interest rate swap agreements [Member]

Rate adjustment to LIBOR on interest rate swap agreements [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Foreign currency forward contracts [Member]

Foreign currency forward contracts [Member]

Foreign currency option contracts [Member]

Foreign currency option contracts [Member]

Interest rate swap [Member]

Interest rate swap [Member]

Interest rate swap [Member]

Foreign currency forward contracts [Member]

Foreign currency forward contracts [Member]

Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]

Length of time hedged in foreign currency contracts

3 years

Derivative, notional amount

$3,800

$3,700

$210

$200

$1,900

$2,500

$3,600

$694

$629

Amounts expected to be reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into earnings over the next 12 months - gains (losses)

-20

Amounts expected to be reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into earnings over the next 12 months - gain (loss)

-1

Derivative lower range variable interest rate

1.10%

0.30%

Derivative higher range variable interest rate

2.00%

2.60%

Unrealized gain (loss) on the hedged debt

-7

84

-20

Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swaps

$7

($84)

$20

Contingencies_and_commitments_

Contingencies and commitments (Details) (Onyx [Member])	1 Months Ended
	Sep. 16, 2013
	plaintiffs
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of plaintiffs	9
Superior Court State of California [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of plaintiffs	7

Subsequent_event_Details

Subsequent event (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 01, 2013	Oct. 01, 2013	Oct. 01, 2013	Oct. 01, 2013
	Master Repurchase Agreement Obligation due 2018 [Member]	Master Repurchase Agreement Obligation due 2018 [Member]	Onyx [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]
			Master Repurchase Agreement Obligation due 2018 [Member]	Term Loan Credit Facility [Member]	Onyx [Member]	Onyx [Member]	Onyx [Member]
						Term Loan Credit Facility [Member]	Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [Member]
							product
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of products in collaboration							2
Net cash consideration					$9,700,000,000
Purchase price per share of common stock (in usd per share)					$125
Business combination, cash on hand used in acquisition					1,600,000,000
Loans payable to bank, noncurrent	$3,100,000,000		$3,100,000,000	$5,000,000,000		$5,000,000,000