Amgen (AMGN) 10-Q 30 Apr 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 22, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'Amgen Inc.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000318154	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	757,021,648

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Revenues:	'	'
Product sales	$4,356	$4,151
Other revenues	165	87
Total revenues	4,521	4,238
Operating expenses:	'	'
Cost of sales	1,090	744
Research and development	1,027	878
Selling, general and administrative	1,023	1,158
Other	17	16
Total operating expenses	3,157	2,796
Operating income	1,364	1,442
Interest expense, net	259	263
Interest and other income, net	99	164
Income before income taxes	1,204	1,343
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	131	-91
Net income	$1,073	$1,434
Earnings per share:	'	'
Basic (in usd per share)	$1.42	$1.91
Diluted (in usd per share)	$1.40	$1.88
Shares used in calculation of earnings per share:	'	'
Basic (in shares)	757	751
Diluted (in shares)	768	764
Dividends paid per share (in usd per share)	$0.61	$0.47

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'
Net income	$1,073	$1,434
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of reclassification adjustments and taxes:	'	'
Foreign currency translation losses	-8	-23
Effective portion of cash flow hedges	2	75
Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities	40	-62
Other	1	1
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	35	-9
Comprehensive income	$1,108	$1,425

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$3,687	$3,805
Marketable securities	16,115	15,596
Trade receivables, net	2,514	2,697
Inventories	2,966	3,019
Other current assets	3,020	2,250
Total current assets	28,302	27,367
Property, plant and equipment, net	5,365	5,349
Intangible assets, net	13,566	13,262
Goodwill	14,832	14,968
Restricted investments	3,414	3,412
Other assets	1,525	1,767
Total assets	67,004	66,125
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	949	787
Accrued liabilities	4,749	4,655
Current portion of long-term debt	2,505	2,505
Total current liabilities	8,203	7,947
Long-term debt	29,519	29,623
Other noncurrent liabilities	6,541	6,459
Contingencies and commitments	'	'
Stockholders’ equity:	'	'
Common stock and additional paid-in capital; $0.0001 par value; 2,750.0 shares authorized; outstanding - 756.9 shares in 2014 and 754.6 shares in 2013	29,890	29,891
Accumulated deficit	-7,023	-7,634
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-126	-161
Total stockholders’ equity	22,741	22,096
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$67,004	$66,125

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
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	2,750,000,000	2,750,000,000
Common stock and additional paid-in capital, shares outstanding	756,900,000	754,600,000

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$1,073	$1,434
Depreciation and amortization	518	277
Stock-based compensation expense	87	92
Other items, net	-8	-38
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:	'	'
Trade receivables, net	180	19
Inventories	-3	-12
Other assets	-181	-10
Accounts payable	92	35
Accrued income taxes	-48	-406
Other liabilities	-568	-342
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,142	1,049
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-172	-158
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-104	0
Purchases of marketable securities	-2,884	-6,964
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities	1,811	6,013
Proceeds from maturities of marketable securities	957	2,924
Increase (Decrease) of Restricted Investments	329	0
Other	-44	-6
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	-765	1,809
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Repayment of debt	-125	-2,500
Repurchases of common stock	0	-832
Dividends paid	-460	-353
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with the Company’s equity award programs	38	93
Other	52	7
Net cash used in financing activities	-495	-3,585
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-118	-727
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	3,805	3,257
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$3,687	$2,530

Summary_of_significant_account

Summary of significant accounting policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
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 months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, 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.
	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, 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.
	Property, plant and equipment, net
	Property, plant and equipment is recorded at historical cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $7.1 billion and $6.9 billion as of March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	Restricted investments
	We have restricted investments on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets 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 certain third parties own Class A preferred shares of ATL Holdings, this entity is required to hold restricted investments, which were composed of interest-bearing securities, cash and related interest receivable as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

Business_combinations

Business combinations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Business combinations	'
	Business combinations
	Onyx Pharmaceuticals
	On October 1, 2013, we acquired all of the outstanding stock of Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Onyx), a global biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development and commercialization of innovative therapies for improving the lives of people afflicted with cancer. Onyx has a 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 three partnered oncology assets: Nexavar® (sorafenib) tablets (an Onyx and Bayer compound), Stivarga® (regorafenib) tablets (a Bayer compound), and palbociclib (a Pfizer, Inc. compound). This transaction, which was accounted for as a business combination, provides us with an opportunity to expand our oncology franchise. Onyx’s operations have been included in our condensed consolidated financial statements commencing on the acquisition date.
	The aggregate consideration to acquire Onyx was paid in cash and consisted of (in millions):
	Total consideration transferred	$	9,517
	Compensation expense	197
	Total cash paid	$	9,714
	The $9,517 million cash payment consisted of a $9,186 million cash payment to the outstanding common stockholders and a $331 million cash payment to the Onyx equity award holders for services rendered prior to October 1, 2013 under the Onyx equity award plans. The remaining $197 million of cash, which related to the accelerated vesting of the remaining Onyx equity awards, was recognized as compensation expense during the three months ended December 31, 2013. This amount was included primarily in Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense in the Consolidated Statement of Income.
	The consideration to acquire Onyx was allocated preliminarily to the acquisition date fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as follows (in millions):
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	319
	Marketable securities	337
	Inventories	170
	Indefinite-lived intangible assets - In-process research and development (IPR&D)	1,170
	Finite-lived intangible assets - Developed product technology rights	6,190
	Finite-lived intangible assets - Licensing rights	2,792
	Goodwill	2,393
	Convertible debt	(742		)
	Assumed contingent consideration	(261		)
	Deferred income taxes, net	(2,993		)
	Other assets (liabilities), net	142
	Total consideration	$	9,517
	Onyx’s preliminary goodwill at December 31, 2013 has been revised. Goodwill was reduced by $133 million due primarily to revisions which increased the acquisition date fair values of developed product technology rights by $280 million and deferred income taxes by $75 million, and decreased inventory by $80 million. The adjustments did not have a material effect on our current or prior period financial statements.
	The developed product technology rights acquired relate to Kyprolis® which is approved in the United States. This product technology is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of 12 years.
	Licensing rights acquired represent the aggregate estimated fair values of receiving future milestone, royalty and/or profit sharing payments associated with various contract agreements that were entered into by Onyx prior to the acquisition. The weighted-average useful life of these finite-lived intangible assets is ten years, and they are being amortized primarily on a straight-line basis.
	Our accounting for this acquisition is preliminary. The fair value estimates for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed were based upon preliminary calculations and valuations, and our estimates and assumptions are subject to change as we obtain additional information for our estimates during the measurement period (up to one year from the acquisition date). The primary areas of those preliminary estimates that are not yet finalized relate to certain identifiable intangible assets and tax related items.
	Filgrastim and pegfilgrastim rights acquisition
	In October 2013, we entered into an agreement to acquire the licenses to filgrastim and pegfilgrastim effective January 1, 2014 (acquisition date), that were held by F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. (Roche) in approximately 100 markets in Eastern Europe, Latin America, Asia, the Middle East and Africa, (Product Rights), and to settle our preexisting relationship related to the Product Rights for total consideration of $497 million. The acquisition of the Product Rights was accounted for as a business combination as the acquired rights and processes are capable of producing an immediate return to us, and the settlement of the preexisting relationship was accounted for separately from the business combination.
	This transaction provides us with an opportunity to expand our geographic presence and reach more patients in more countries that could benefit from our therapies. The operations of the acquired set of activities have been included in our financial statements commencing on the acquisition date. Pro forma results of operations for this acquisition have not been presented because this acquisition is not material to our consolidated results of operations.
	The aggregate consideration transferred consisted of (in millions):
	Total consideration transferred or to be transferred	$	497
	Settlement of preexisting relationship at fair value	(99		)
	Total consideration transferred to acquire the Product Rights	$	398
	The settlement of the preexisting relationship relates to a supply contract between Amgen and Roche that was terminated as a result of the acquisition of the Product Rights. The fair value of the contract of $99 million was recognized in Cost of sales in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
	The consideration to acquire the Product Rights was allocated to the acquisition date fair values of assets acquired as follows (in millions):
	Finite-lived intangible assets - Marketing-related rights	$	363
	Finite-lived intangible assets - Developed product technology rights	11
	Goodwill	3
	Other assets	21
	Total consideration	$	398
	The marketing-related and developed product technology rights acquired relate to the Product Rights and are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of five years and three and one-half years, respectively.
	Our accounting for this acquisition is preliminary. The fair value estimates for the assets acquired and liabilities incurred were based upon preliminary calculations and valuations, and our estimates and assumptions are subject to change as we obtain additional information for our estimates during the measurement period (up to one year from the acquisition date). The primary areas of those preliminary estimates that are not yet finalized relate to certain tangible assets and liabilities incurred, and identifiable intangible assets.

Income_taxes

Income taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income taxes	'
	Income taxes
	The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was 10.9% compared with (6.8)% for the corresponding period 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. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2014, increased due primarily to two significant events that occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2013. First, we settled our federal income tax examination for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, in which we agreed to certain adjustments 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 three months ended March 31, 2013, included a benefit for the full-year 2012 federal R&D tax credit, recorded as a discrete item in the first quarter of 2013. The federal R&D tax credit expired as of December 31, 2013 and was not reinstated as of March 31, 2014. Therefore, our effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2014, does not include a benefit for the federal R&D tax credit. In addition, the effective tax rates for both periods were reduced by foreign tax credits associated with the Puerto Rico excise tax described below.
	Puerto Rico imposes an excise tax on the gross intercompany purchase price of goods and services from our manufacturing subsidiary in Puerto Rico. The rate was 2.75% in the first half of 2013 and 4.0% 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 months ended March 31, 2014, would have been 15.4%, compared with (0.8)% for the corresponding period of the prior year.
	One or more 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 income and deductions, the use of tax credits and allocations of income among various tax jurisdictions because of differing interpretations of tax laws and regulations. We are no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations for years ending on or before December 31, 2009, or to California state income tax examinations for years ending on or before December 31, 2005.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the gross amount of our UTBs increased by approximately $65 million as a result of tax positions taken during the current year. Substantially all of the UTBs as of March 31, 2014, if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate. As of March 31, 2014, 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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
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 awards and restricted stock and performance unit awards, determined using the treasury stock method (collectively “dilutive securities”).
	The computation for basic and diluted EPS was as follows (in millions, except per share data):
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Income (Numerator):
	Net income for basic and diluted EPS	$	1,073	$	1,434
	Shares (Denominator):
	Weighted-average shares for basic EPS	757		751
	Effect of dilutive securities	11		13
	Weighted-average shares for diluted EPS	768		764
	Basic EPS	$	1.42	$	1.91
	Diluted EPS	$	1.4	$	1.88
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the number of anti-dilutive employee stock-based awards excluded from the computation of diluted EPS was not significant.

Availableforsale_investments

Available-for-sale investments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
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 March 31, 2014	Amortized		Gross		Gross			Estimated
		cost		unrealized		unrealized			fair
				gains		losses			value
	U.S. Treasury securities	$	4,802	$	4	$	(7	)	$	4,799
	Other government-related debt securities:
	U.S.	1,005		—		(6		)	999
	Foreign and other	1,547		18		(23		)	1,542
	Corporate debt securities:
	Financial	3,700		29		(10		)	3,719
	Industrial	3,739		42		(11		)	3,770
	Other	410		4		(1		)	413
	Residential mortgage-backed securities	1,449		3		(16		)	1,436
	Other mortgage- and asset-backed securities	1,519		—		(48		)	1,471
	Money market mutual funds	3,434		—		—			3,434
	Other short-term interest-bearing securities	1,306		—		—			1,306
	Total interest-bearing securities	22,911		100		(122		)	22,889
	Equity securities	91		17		—			108
	Total available-for-sale investments	$	23,002	$	117	$	(122	)	$	22,997
	Type of security as of December 31, 2013	Amortized		Gross		Gross			Estimated
		cost		unrealized		unrealized			fair
				gains		losses			value
	U.S. Treasury securities	$	4,737	$	2	$	(9	)	$	4,730
	Other government-related debt securities:
	U.S.	1,087		—		(8		)	1,079
	Foreign and other	1,574		13		(41		)	1,546
	Corporate debt securities:
	Financial	3,667		28		(19		)	3,676
	Industrial	3,745		36		(21		)	3,760
	Other	388		4		(2		)	390
	Residential mortgage-backed securities	1,478		3		(21		)	1,460
	Other mortgage- and asset-backed securities	1,555		1		(45		)	1,511
	Money market mutual funds	3,366		—		—			3,366
	Other short-term interest-bearing securities	750		—		—			750
	Total interest-bearing securities	22,347		87		(166		)	22,268
	Equity securities	85		10		—			95
	Total available-for-sale investments	$	22,432	$	97	$	(166	)	$	22,363
	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	March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	3,366	$	3,266
	Marketable securities	16,115		15,596
	Other assets — noncurrent	108		95
	Restricted investments	3,408		3,406
	Total available-for-sale investments	$	22,997	$	22,363
	Cash and cash equivalents in the table above excludes cash of $321 million and $539 million as of March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, respectively. Restricted investments in the table above excludes $6 million of interest receivable as of both March 31, 2014 and December 31, 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	March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Maturing in one year or less	$	7,107	$	6,799
	Maturing after one year through three years	5,261		4,785
	Maturing after three years through five years	5,947		6,057
	Maturing after five years through ten years	1,667		1,656
	Mortgage- and asset-backed securities	2,907		2,971
	Total interest-bearing securities	$	22,889	$	22,268
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, realized gains totaled $28 million and $85 million, respectively, and realized losses totaled $26 million and $18 million, respectively. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. Most of our available-for-sale investments that were in an unrealized loss position, which totaled $122 million as of March 31, 2014, have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months. These investments had an aggregate fair value of $8.9 billion as of March 31, 2014.
	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 March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, we believe the cost bases for our available-for-sale investments were recoverable in all material respects.

Inventories

Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	Inventories
	Inventories consisted of the following (in millions):
		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Raw materials	$	212	$	217
	Work in process	1,885		2,064
	Finished goods	869		738
	Total inventories	$	2,966	$	3,019

Goodwill_and_other_intangible_

Goodwill and other intangible assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Goodwill and other intangible assets
	Goodwill
	The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill were as follows (in millions):
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
	Beginning balance	$	14,968		$	12,662
	Goodwill related to acquisitions of businesses(1)	(130		)	(48		)
	Currency translation adjustments	(6		)	(10		)
	Ending balance	$	14,832		$	12,604
	(1)	Composed primarily of adjustments to goodwill resulting from changes to the acquisition date fair values of net assets acquired in business combinations recorded during their respective measurement periods.
	Identifiable intangible assets
	Identifiable intangible assets consisted of the following (in millions):
		March 31, 2014								31-Dec-13
		Gross			Accumulated			Intangible		Gross		Accumulated			Intangible
		carrying			amortization			assets, net		carrying		amortization			assets, net
		amount								amount
	Finite-lived intangible assets:
	Developed product technology rights	$	10,421		$	(3,553	)	$	6,868	$	10,130	$	(3,347	)	$	6,783
	Licensing rights	3,241			(463		)	2,778		3,241		(366		)	2,875
	R&D technology rights	1,210			(518		)	692		1,207		(496		)	711
	Marketing-related rights	972			(398		)	574		619		(366		)	253
	Total finite-lived intangible assets	15,844			(4,932		)	10,912		15,197		(4,575		)	10,622
	Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
	IPR&D	2,654			—			2,654		2,640		—			2,640
	Total identifiable intangible assets	$	18,498		$	(4,932	)	$	13,566	$	17,837	$	(4,575	)	$	13,262
	Developed product technology rights consist of rights related to marketed products acquired in business combinations. Licensing rights are composed primarily of intangible assets acquired as part of the acquisition of Onyx, capitalized payments to third parties for milestones related to regulatory approvals to commercialize products and up-front payments associated with royalty obligations for marketed products. R&D technology rights consist of technology used in R&D with alternative future uses. Marketing-related intangible assets are composed primarily of rights related to the sale and distribution of marketed products. For information related to the acquisition of certain of these intangible assets, see Note 2, Business combinations.
	IPR&D consists of R&D projects acquired in a business combination which are not complete due to remaining technological risks and/or lack of receipt of the required regulatory approvals. These projects include Kyprolis®, a treatment for multiple myeloma being developed for use outside the United States (excluding Japan) acquired in the Onyx transaction (see Note 2, Business combinations); velcalcetide, a treatment for secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with chronic kidney disease who are on dialysis; blinatumomab, a treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and talimogene laherparepvec, a treatment for melanoma.
	For all IPR&D projects, there are major risks and uncertainties associated with the timely and successful completion of development and commercialization of these product candidates, including our ability to confirm their safety and efficacy based on data from clinical trials, our ability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals and our ability to successfully complete these tasks within budgeted costs. We are not able to market a human therapeutic without obtaining regulatory approvals, and such approvals require completing clinical trials that demonstrate a product candidate is safe and effective. In addition, the availability and extent of coverage and reimbursement from third-party payers, including government healthcare programs and private insurance plans, impact the revenues a product can generate. Consequently, the eventual realized value, if any, of these acquired IPR&D projects may vary from their estimated fair values.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, we recognized amortization charges associated with our finite-lived intangible assets of $357 million and $117 million, respectively. The total estimated amortization charges for our finite-lived intangible assets for the nine months ended December 31, 2014, and the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, are $951 million, $1.3 billion, $1.3 billion, $1.1 billion, $967 million and $894 million, respectively.

Financing_arrangements

Financing arrangements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Financing arrangements	'
	Financing arrangements
	The carrying values and the fixed contractual coupon rates, as applicable, of our long-term borrowings were as follows (in millions):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	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)	1,249			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			500
	Master Repurchase Agreement obligation due 2018	3,100			3,100
	Term Loan due 2018	4,750			4,875
	4.375% euro-denominated notes due 2018 (4.375% 2018 euro Notes)	757			751
	5.70% notes due 2019 (5.70% 2019 Notes)	999			999
	2.125% euro-denominated notes due 2019 (2.125% 2019 euro Notes)	927			925
	4.50% notes due 2020 (4.50% 2020 Notes)	300			300
	3.45% notes due 2020 (3.45% 2020 Notes)	898			898
	4.10% notes due 2021 (4.10% 2021 Notes)	998			998
	3.875% notes due 2021 (3.875% 2021 Notes)	1,746			1,746
	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)	786			781
	4.00% pound-sterling-denominated notes due 2029 (4.00% 2029 pound sterling Notes)	1,151			1,144
	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			596
	5.15% notes due 2041 (5.15% 2041 Notes)	2,233			2,233
	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	105			105
	Total debt	32,024			32,128
	Less current portion	(2,505		)	(2,505		)
	Total noncurrent debt	$	29,519		$	29,623
	Debt repayments
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we repaid $125 million of principal on our Term Loan Credit Facility.

Stockholders_equity

Stockholders' equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' equity	'
	Stockholders’ equity
	Stock repurchase program
	We had no repurchases under our stock repurchase program during the three months ended March 31, 2014. As of March 31, 2014, $1.6 billion remained available under our Board of Directors-approved stock repurchase program.
	Dividends
	On December 13, 2013, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.61 per share of common stock, which was paid on March 7, 2014. On March 5, 2014, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.61 per share of common stock, which will be paid on June 6, 2014, to all stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 15, 2014.
	Accumulated other comprehensive income
	The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) were as follows (in millions):
		Foreign				Cash flow				Available-for-sale			Other			AOCI
		currency				hedges				securities
		translation
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	(68	)		$	(33	)		$	(43	)	$	(17	)	$	(161	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	(12		)		—				—			—			(12		)
	Unrealized gains	—				17				66			1			84
	Reclassification adjustments to income	—				(14		)		(2		)	—			(16		)
	Income taxes	4				(1		)		(24		)	—			(21		)
	Balance as of March 31, 2014	$	(76	)		$	(31	)		$	(3	)	$	(16	)	$	(126	)
	The reclassifications out of AOCI to Net income were as follows (in millions):
				Amounts reclassified out of AOCI
				March 31,
	Components of AOCI			2014				2013				Line item affected in the Statements of Income
	Cash flow hedges:
	Foreign currency contract losses			$	—			$	(4	)		Product sales
	Cross-currency swap contract gains (losses)			14				(140		)		Interest and other income, net
				14				(144		)		Total before income tax
				(5		)		53				Tax (expense)/benefit
				$	9			$	(91	)		Net of taxes
	Available-for-sale securities:
	Net realized gains			$	2			$	67			Interest and other income, net
				(1		)		(25		)		Tax expense
				$	1			$	42			Net of taxes

Fair_value_measurement

Fair value measurement	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
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 March 31, 2014, using:		(Level 1)			(Level 2)		(Level 3)		Total
	Assets:
	Available-for-sale investments:
	U.S. Treasury securities		$	4,799		$	—	$	—	$	4,799
	Other government-related debt securities:
	U.S.		—			999		—		999
	Foreign and other		—			1,542		—		1,542
	Corporate debt securities:
	Financial		—			3,719		—		3,719
	Industrial		—			3,770		—		3,770
	Other		—			413		—		413
	Residential mortgage-backed securities		—			1,436		—		1,436
	Other mortgage- and asset-backed securities		—			1,471		—		1,471
	Money market mutual funds		3,434			—		—		3,434
	Other short-term interest-bearing securities		—			1,306		—		1,306
	Equity securities		108			—		—		108
	Derivatives:
	Foreign currency contracts		—			62		—		62
	Cross-currency swap contracts		—			195		—		195
	Interest rate swap contracts		—			4		—		4
	Total assets		$	8,341		$	14,917	$	—	$	23,258
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives:
	Foreign currency contracts		$	—		$	101	$	—	$	101
	Cross-currency swap contracts		—			2		—		2
	Interest rate swap contracts		—			103		—		103
	Contingent consideration obligations in connection with business combinations		—			—		596		596
	Total liabilities		$	—		$	206	$	596	$	802
			Quoted prices in			Significant		Significant
			active markets for			other observable		unobservable
	Fair value measurement		identical assets			inputs		inputs
	as of December 31, 2013, using:		(Level 1)			(Level 2)		(Level 3)		Total
	Assets:
	Available-for-sale investments:
	U.S. Treasury securities		$	4,730		$	—	$	—	$	4,730
	Other government-related debt securities:
	U.S.		—			1,079		—		1,079
	Foreign and other		—			1,546		—		1,546
	Corporate debt securities:
	Financial		—			3,676		—		3,676
	Industrial		—			3,760		—		3,760
	Other		—			390		—		390
	Residential mortgage-backed securities		—			1,460		—		1,460
	Other mortgage- and asset-backed securities		—			1,511		—		1,511
	Money market mutual funds		3,366			—		—		3,366
	Other short-term interest-bearing securities		—			750		—		750
	Equity securities		95			—		—		95
	Derivatives:
	Foreign currency contracts		—			53		—		53
	Cross-currency swap contracts		—			193		—		193
	Total assets		$	8,191		$	14,418	$	—	$	22,609
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives:
Foreign currency contracts		$	—		$	107	$	—	$	107
Cross-currency swap contracts		—			4		—		4
Interest rate swap contracts		—			161		—		161
Contingent consideration obligations in connection with business combinations		—			—		595		595
Total liabilities		$	—		$	272	$	595	$	867
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 Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC (S&P), A+ by Moody's Investor Service, Inc. (Moody's) or Fitch, Inc. (Fitch); and our corporate debt securities portfolio has a weighted-average credit rating of A- by S&P, BBB+ by Moody's, and A by 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, London Interbank Offered 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 11, 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 11, 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.
Contingent consideration obligations
We have incurred contingent consideration obligations as the result of our acquisition of a business and upon the assumption of contingent consideration obligations incurred by an acquired company discussed below. These contingent consideration obligations are recorded at their estimated fair values, and we revalue these obligations each reporting period until the related contingencies are resolved. Changes in fair values of contingent consideration obligations are recognized in Other operating expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
The changes in carrying amounts of contingent consideration obligations were as follows (in millions):
	Three months ended
	March 31,
	2014			2013
Beginning balance	$	595		$	221
Net changes in valuation	1			1
Ending balance	$	596		$	222
As a result of our acquisition of BioVex Group, Inc. (BioVex) 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 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. 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 which increase or decrease the probabilities of achieving the related regulatory and commercial events, shorten or lengthen the time required to achieve such events, or increase of decrease estimated annual sales would result in corresponding increases or decreases in the fair values of these obligations, as applicable.
We estimate the fair values of the obligations to the former shareholders of BioVex 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 April 2014, we announced top-line results from the primary overall survival (OS) analysis of a phase 3 trial in melanoma. We are currently reviewing the results from this study with clinicians, regulators and payers to determine the best course forward. However, during the quarter ended March 31, 2014, there were no significant changes in underlying key assumptions, and there was no change in the estimated aggregate fair value of these contingent consideration obligations of $334 million.
We assumed contingent consideration obligations of $261 million upon the acquisition of Onyx arising from Onyx's 2009 acquisition of Proteolix, Inc. As of March 31, 2014, there are two separate milestone payments of $150 million each which would be triggered if Kyprolis® receives specified marketing approvals for relapsed multiple myeloma on or before March 31, 2016, by each of the FDA and the European Medicines Agency. The fair value measurements of these obligations are based on significant unobservable inputs, including the estimated probabilities and timing of achieving the related regulatory approvals, which are reviewed quarterly. Significant changes which increase or decrease the probabilities of receiving regulatory approvals or shorten or lengthen the time required to achieve such approvals would result in corresponding increases or decreases in the fair values of these obligations. We estimate the fair values of contingent obligations to the former shareholders of Proteolix, Inc. by using probability-adjusted discounted cash flows. The estimated aggregate fair value of the contingent consideration obligations increased by $1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2014.
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 three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, 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 value of our long-term debt (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 March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, the aggregate fair values of our long-term debt were $33.8 billion and $33.5 billion, respectively, and the carrying values were $32.0 billion and $32.1 billion, respectively.

Derivative_instruments

Derivative instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
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 March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, we had open foreign currency forward contracts with notional amounts of $3.9 billion and $4.0 billion, respectively, and open foreign currency option contracts with notional amounts of $366 million and $516 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	%
	The effective portions of the unrealized gain/(loss) recognized in other comprehensive income for our derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges were as follows (in millions):
		Three months ended
		March 31,
	Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships	2014				2013
	Foreign currency contracts	$	13			$	100
	Cross-currency swap contracts	4				(125		)
	Total	$	17			$	(25	)
	The locations in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and the effective portions 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
				March 31,
	Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships	Statements of Income location		2014				2013
	Foreign currency contracts	Product sales		$	—			$	(4	)
	Cross-currency swap contracts	Interest and other income, net		14				(140		)
	Total			$	14			$	(144	)
	No portions of our cash flow hedge contracts are excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness, and the gains and losses of the ineffective portions of these hedging instruments were not material for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. As of March 31, 2014, the amounts expected to be reclassified out of AOCI into earnings over the next 12 months are approximately $39 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 are designated as fair value hedges. The terms of these interest rate swap contracts correspond 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. During the year ended December 31, 2013, we entered into interest rate swap contracts with an aggregate notional amount of $4.4 billion with respect to our 3.45% 2020 Notes, 4.10% 2021 Notes, 3.875% 2021 Notes and 3.625% 2022 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 months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, we included the unrealized losses on the hedged debt of $62 million and $22 million, respectively, in the same line item, Interest expense, net, in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, as the offsetting unrealized gains of $62 million and $22 million, respectively, on the related interest rate swap agreements.
	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 March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, the total notional amounts of these foreign currency forward contracts were $977 million and $999 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
				March 31,
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	Statements of Income location		2014				2013
	Foreign currency contracts	Interest and other income, net		$	2			$	(16	)
	The fair values of derivatives included in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows (in millions):
		Derivative assets						Derivative liabilities
	31-Mar-14	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		$	195			Accrued liabilities/ Other noncurrent liabilities		$	2
	Foreign currency contracts	Other current assets/ Other noncurrent assets		60				Accrued liabilities/ Other noncurrent liabilities		99
	Interest rate swap contracts	Other current assets/ Other noncurrent assets		4				Accrued liabilities/ Other noncurrent liabilities		103
	Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments			259						204
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency contracts	Other current assets		2				Accrued liabilities		2
	Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments			2						2
	Total derivatives			$	261					$	206
		Derivative assets						Derivative liabilities
	31-Dec-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		$	193			Accrued liabilities/ Other noncurrent liabilities		$	4
	Foreign currency contracts	Other current assets/ Other noncurrent assets		53				Accrued liabilities/ Other noncurrent liabilities		104
	Interest rate swap contracts	Other current assets/ Other noncurrent assets		—				Accrued liabilities/ Other noncurrent liabilities		161
	Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments			246						269
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency contracts	Other current assets		—				Accrued liabilities		3
	Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments			—						3
	Total derivatives			$	246					$	272
	Our derivative contracts that were in liability positions as of March 31, 2014, 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 three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, are included within Net cash provided by operating activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Contingencies_and_commitments

Contingencies and commitments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
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, 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 or 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, 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 this filing 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:
	Onyx Litigation
	On March 21, 2014, plaintiff Phil Rosen filed a motion seeking to certify a class and to be designated class representative in this consolidated class action matter pending against the former members of the board of directors of Onyx in which the plaintiffs allege, among other things, that the Onyx director defendants breached their fiduciary duties to Onyx shareholders in connection with the sale of Onyx to Amgen.
	Federal Securities Litigation - In re Amgen Inc. Securities Litigation
	On April 14, 2014, the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California entered an order allowing plaintiffs leave to file a second consolidated amended class action complaint in this securities class action lawsuit. While the new complaint was filed under seal, like the first consolidated class action complaint the new complaint alleges that Amgen and certain of its officers and directors (the Federal Defendants) made false statements that resulted in: (i) deceiving the investing public regarding Amgen's prospects and business; (ii) artificially inflating the prices of Amgen's publicly traded securities and (iii) causing plaintiff and other members of the class to purchase Amgen publicly traded securities at inflated prices. In addition, like the first consolidated class action complaint, the new complaint makes off-label marketing allegations that, throughout the class period, the Federal Defendants improperly marketed Aranesp® (darbepoetin alfa) and EPOGEN® (epoetin alfa) for off-label uses while aware that there were alleged safety signals with these products. The named defendants have not changed and the alleged class period remains the same. Plaintiffs continue to seek compensatory damages, legal fees and other relief deemed proper.

Subsequent_event

Subsequent event	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent event	'
	Subsequent event
	On April 1, 2014, we entered into a Termination and Transition Agreement (the Transition Agreement) with Glaxo Group Limited (Glaxo) which terminated, in part, and amended, in part, our agreement with Glaxo (the Collaboration Agreement) for the commercialization of denosumab for osteoporosis indications in certain geographic territories, including the EU, Switzerland, Australia, Norway, Russia and Mexico. The Transition Agreement terminates the Collaboration Agreement for all countries and regions, except for Australia. All commercial activities assigned to Glaxo under the Collaboration Agreement other than those in Australia will be transitioned back to us no later than December 31, 2014. In exchange for the early termination (except Australia) of the Collaboration Agreement, we will make payments to Glaxo totaling $275 million.
	The Transition Agreement does not change the terms of the related Expansion Agreement under which Glaxo will commercialize denosumab for all indications in certain other geographic territories.
	We evaluated whether the Transition Agreement should be accounted for as a business combination and concluded that the agreement represents the reacquisition of a previously shared economic interest, which qualifies as an asset acquisition.

Summary_of_significant_account1

Summary of significant accounting policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
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 months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, 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.
	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, 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.
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 $7.1 billion and $6.9 billion as of March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, respectively.
Restricted investments	'
	Restricted investments
	We have restricted investments on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets 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 certain third parties own Class A preferred shares of ATL Holdings, this entity is required to hold restricted investments, which were composed of interest-bearing securities, cash and related interest receivable as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

Business_combinations_Tables

Business combinations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Aggregate acquisition date consideration to acquire an entity	'
	The aggregate consideration to acquire Onyx was paid in cash and consisted of (in millions):
	Total consideration transferred	$	9,517
	Compensation expense	197
	Total cash paid	$	9,714
Schedule of recognized identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed	'
	The consideration to acquire Onyx was allocated preliminarily to the acquisition date fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as follows (in millions):
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	319
	Marketable securities	337
	Inventories	170
	Indefinite-lived intangible assets - In-process research and development (IPR&D)	1,170
	Finite-lived intangible assets - Developed product technology rights	6,190
	Finite-lived intangible assets - Licensing rights	2,792
	Goodwill	2,393
	Convertible debt	(742		)
	Assumed contingent consideration	(261		)
	Deferred income taxes, net	(2,993		)
	Other assets (liabilities), net	142
	Total consideration	$	9,517
Product Rights [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Aggregate acquisition date consideration to acquire an entity	'
	The aggregate consideration transferred consisted of (in millions):
	Total consideration transferred or to be transferred	$	497
	Settlement of preexisting relationship at fair value	(99		)
	Total consideration transferred to acquire the Product Rights	$	398
Schedule of recognized identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed	'
	The consideration to acquire the Product Rights was allocated to the acquisition date fair values of assets acquired as follows (in millions):
	Finite-lived intangible assets - Marketing-related rights	$	363
	Finite-lived intangible assets - Developed product technology rights	11
	Goodwill	3
	Other assets	21
	Total consideration	$	398

Earnings_per_share_Tables

Earnings per share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
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
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Income (Numerator):
	Net income for basic and diluted EPS	$	1,073	$	1,434
	Shares (Denominator):
	Weighted-average shares for basic EPS	757		751
	Effect of dilutive securities	11		13
	Weighted-average shares for diluted EPS	768		764
	Basic EPS	$	1.42	$	1.91
	Diluted EPS	$	1.4	$	1.88

Availableforsale_investments_T

Available-for-sale investments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
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 March 31, 2014	Amortized		Gross		Gross			Estimated
		cost		unrealized		unrealized			fair
				gains		losses			value
	U.S. Treasury securities	$	4,802	$	4	$	(7	)	$	4,799
	Other government-related debt securities:
	U.S.	1,005		—		(6		)	999
	Foreign and other	1,547		18		(23		)	1,542
	Corporate debt securities:
	Financial	3,700		29		(10		)	3,719
	Industrial	3,739		42		(11		)	3,770
	Other	410		4		(1		)	413
	Residential mortgage-backed securities	1,449		3		(16		)	1,436
	Other mortgage- and asset-backed securities	1,519		—		(48		)	1,471
	Money market mutual funds	3,434		—		—			3,434
	Other short-term interest-bearing securities	1,306		—		—			1,306
	Total interest-bearing securities	22,911		100		(122		)	22,889
	Equity securities	91		17		—			108
	Total available-for-sale investments	$	23,002	$	117	$	(122	)	$	22,997
	Type of security as of December 31, 2013	Amortized		Gross		Gross			Estimated
		cost		unrealized		unrealized			fair
				gains		losses			value
	U.S. Treasury securities	$	4,737	$	2	$	(9	)	$	4,730
	Other government-related debt securities:
	U.S.	1,087		—		(8		)	1,079
	Foreign and other	1,574		13		(41		)	1,546
	Corporate debt securities:
	Financial	3,667		28		(19		)	3,676
	Industrial	3,745		36		(21		)	3,760
	Other	388		4		(2		)	390
	Residential mortgage-backed securities	1,478		3		(21		)	1,460
	Other mortgage- and asset-backed securities	1,555		1		(45		)	1,511
	Money market mutual funds	3,366		—		—			3,366
	Other short-term interest-bearing securities	750		—		—			750
	Total interest-bearing securities	22,347		87		(166		)	22,268
	Equity securities	85		10		—			95
	Total available-for-sale investments	$	22,432	$	97	$	(166	)	$	22,363
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	March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	3,366	$	3,266
	Marketable securities	16,115		15,596
	Other assets — noncurrent	108		95
	Restricted investments	3,408		3,406
	Total available-for-sale investments	$	22,997	$	22,363
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	March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Maturing in one year or less	$	7,107	$	6,799
	Maturing after one year through three years	5,261		4,785
	Maturing after three years through five years	5,947		6,057
	Maturing after five years through ten years	1,667		1,656
	Mortgage- and asset-backed securities	2,907		2,971
	Total interest-bearing securities	$	22,889	$	22,268

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	Inventories consisted of the following (in millions):
		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Raw materials	$	212	$	217
	Work in process	1,885		2,064
	Finished goods	869		738
	Total inventories	$	2,966	$	3,019

Goodwill_and_other_intangible_1

Goodwill and other intangible assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of goodwill	'
	The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill were as follows (in millions):
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
	Beginning balance	$	14,968		$	12,662
	Goodwill related to acquisitions of businesses(1)	(130		)	(48		)
	Currency translation adjustments	(6		)	(10		)
	Ending balance	$	14,832		$	12,604
Schedule of identifiable intangible assets	'
	Identifiable intangible assets consisted of the following (in millions):
		March 31, 2014								31-Dec-13
		Gross			Accumulated			Intangible		Gross		Accumulated			Intangible
		carrying			amortization			assets, net		carrying		amortization			assets, net
		amount								amount
	Finite-lived intangible assets:
	Developed product technology rights	$	10,421		$	(3,553	)	$	6,868	$	10,130	$	(3,347	)	$	6,783
	Licensing rights	3,241			(463		)	2,778		3,241		(366		)	2,875
	R&D technology rights	1,210			(518		)	692		1,207		(496		)	711
	Marketing-related rights	972			(398		)	574		619		(366		)	253
	Total finite-lived intangible assets	15,844			(4,932		)	10,912		15,197		(4,575		)	10,622
	Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
	IPR&D	2,654			—			2,654		2,640		—			2,640
	Total identifiable intangible assets	$	18,498		$	(4,932	)	$	13,566	$	17,837	$	(4,575	)	$	13,262

Financing_arrangements_Tables

Financing arrangements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Carrying values and the fixed contractual coupon rates of long-term borrowings	'
	The carrying values and the fixed contractual coupon rates, as applicable, of our long-term borrowings were as follows (in millions):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	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)	1,249			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			500
	Master Repurchase Agreement obligation due 2018	3,100			3,100
	Term Loan due 2018	4,750			4,875
	4.375% euro-denominated notes due 2018 (4.375% 2018 euro Notes)	757			751
	5.70% notes due 2019 (5.70% 2019 Notes)	999			999
	2.125% euro-denominated notes due 2019 (2.125% 2019 euro Notes)	927			925
	4.50% notes due 2020 (4.50% 2020 Notes)	300			300
	3.45% notes due 2020 (3.45% 2020 Notes)	898			898
	4.10% notes due 2021 (4.10% 2021 Notes)	998			998
	3.875% notes due 2021 (3.875% 2021 Notes)	1,746			1,746
	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)	786			781
	4.00% pound-sterling-denominated notes due 2029 (4.00% 2029 pound sterling Notes)	1,151			1,144
	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			596
	5.15% notes due 2041 (5.15% 2041 Notes)	2,233			2,233
	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	105			105
	Total debt	32,024			32,128
	Less current portion	(2,505		)	(2,505		)
	Total noncurrent debt	$	29,519		$	29,623

Stockholders_equity_Tables

Stockholders' equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) were as follows (in millions):
		Foreign				Cash flow				Available-for-sale			Other			AOCI
		currency				hedges				securities
		translation
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	(68	)		$	(33	)		$	(43	)	$	(17	)	$	(161	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	(12		)		—				—			—			(12		)
	Unrealized gains	—				17				66			1			84
	Reclassification adjustments to income	—				(14		)		(2		)	—			(16		)
	Income taxes	4				(1		)		(24		)	—			(21		)
	Balance as of March 31, 2014	$	(76	)		$	(31	)		$	(3	)	$	(16	)	$	(126	)
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
				March 31,
	Components of AOCI			2014				2013				Line item affected in the Statements of Income
	Cash flow hedges:
	Foreign currency contract losses			$	—			$	(4	)		Product sales
	Cross-currency swap contract gains (losses)			14				(140		)		Interest and other income, net
				14				(144		)		Total before income tax
				(5		)		53				Tax (expense)/benefit
				$	9			$	(91	)		Net of taxes
	Available-for-sale securities:
	Net realized gains			$	2			$	67			Interest and other income, net
				(1		)		(25		)		Tax expense
				$	1			$	42			Net of taxes

Fair_value_measurement_Tables

Fair value measurement (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Business Acquisitions by Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Table Text Block]	'
	The changes in carrying amounts of contingent consideration obligations were as follows (in millions):
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
	Beginning balance	$	595		$	221
	Net changes in valuation	1			1
	Ending balance	$	596		$	222
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 March 31, 2014, using:		(Level 1)			(Level 2)		(Level 3)		Total
	Assets:
	Available-for-sale investments:
	U.S. Treasury securities		$	4,799		$	—	$	—	$	4,799
	Other government-related debt securities:
	U.S.		—			999		—		999
	Foreign and other		—			1,542		—		1,542
	Corporate debt securities:
	Financial		—			3,719		—		3,719
	Industrial		—			3,770		—		3,770
	Other		—			413		—		413
	Residential mortgage-backed securities		—			1,436		—		1,436
	Other mortgage- and asset-backed securities		—			1,471		—		1,471
	Money market mutual funds		3,434			—		—		3,434
	Other short-term interest-bearing securities		—			1,306		—		1,306
	Equity securities		108			—		—		108
	Derivatives:
	Foreign currency contracts		—			62		—		62
	Cross-currency swap contracts		—			195		—		195
	Interest rate swap contracts		—			4		—		4
	Total assets		$	8,341		$	14,917	$	—	$	23,258
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives:
	Foreign currency contracts		$	—		$	101	$	—	$	101
	Cross-currency swap contracts		—			2		—		2
	Interest rate swap contracts		—			103		—		103
	Contingent consideration obligations in connection with business combinations		—			—		596		596
	Total liabilities		$	—		$	206	$	596	$	802
			Quoted prices in			Significant		Significant
			active markets for			other observable		unobservable
	Fair value measurement		identical assets			inputs		inputs
	as of December 31, 2013, using:		(Level 1)			(Level 2)		(Level 3)		Total
	Assets:
	Available-for-sale investments:
	U.S. Treasury securities		$	4,730		$	—	$	—	$	4,730
	Other government-related debt securities:
	U.S.		—			1,079		—		1,079
	Foreign and other		—			1,546		—		1,546
	Corporate debt securities:
	Financial		—			3,676		—		3,676
	Industrial		—			3,760		—		3,760
	Other		—			390		—		390
	Residential mortgage-backed securities		—			1,460		—		1,460
	Other mortgage- and asset-backed securities		—			1,511		—		1,511
	Money market mutual funds		3,366			—		—		3,366
	Other short-term interest-bearing securities		—			750		—		750
	Equity securities		95			—		—		95
	Derivatives:
	Foreign currency contracts		—			53		—		53
	Cross-currency swap contracts		—			193		—		193
	Total assets		$	8,191		$	14,418	$	—	$	22,609
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives:
	Foreign currency contracts		$	—		$	107	$	—	$	107
	Cross-currency swap contracts		—			4		—		4
	Interest rate swap contracts		—			161		—		161
	Contingent consideration obligations in connection with business combinations		—			—		595		595
	Total liabilities		$	—		$	272	$	595	$	867

Derivative_instruments_Tables

Derivative instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
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 portions of the unrealized gain/(loss) recognized in other comprehensive income for our derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges were as follows (in millions):
		Three months ended
		March 31,
	Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships	2014				2013
	Foreign currency contracts	$	13			$	100
	Cross-currency swap contracts	4				(125		)
	Total	$	17			$	(25	)
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 locations in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and the effective portions 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
				March 31,
	Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships	Statements of Income location		2014				2013
	Foreign currency contracts	Product sales		$	—			$	(4	)
	Cross-currency swap contracts	Interest and other income, net		14				(140		)
	Total			$	14			$	(144	)
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
				March 31,
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	Statements of Income location		2014				2013
	Foreign currency contracts	Interest and other income, net		$	2			$	(16	)
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
	31-Mar-14	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		$	195			Accrued liabilities/ Other noncurrent liabilities		$	2
	Foreign currency contracts	Other current assets/ Other noncurrent assets		60				Accrued liabilities/ Other noncurrent liabilities		99
	Interest rate swap contracts	Other current assets/ Other noncurrent assets		4				Accrued liabilities/ Other noncurrent liabilities		103
	Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments			259						204
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency contracts	Other current assets		2				Accrued liabilities		2
	Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments			2						2
	Total derivatives			$	261					$	206
		Derivative assets						Derivative liabilities
	31-Dec-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		$	193			Accrued liabilities/ Other noncurrent liabilities		$	4
	Foreign currency contracts	Other current assets/ Other noncurrent assets		53				Accrued liabilities/ Other noncurrent liabilities		104
	Interest rate swap contracts	Other current assets/ Other noncurrent assets		—				Accrued liabilities/ Other noncurrent liabilities		161
	Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments			246						269
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency contracts	Other current assets		—				Accrued liabilities		3
	Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments			—						3
	Total derivatives			$	246					$	272

Summary_of_significant_account2

Summary of significant accounting policies (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Billions, unless otherwise specified
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'	'
Accumulated depreciation and amortization on property, plant and equipment	$7.10	$6.90

Business_combinations_Details

Business combinations (Details) (Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Total consideration transferred	$9,517	$9,517
Compensation expense	197	'
Total cash paid	$9,714	'

Business_combinations_Details_

Business combinations (Details 1) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified					Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [Member]	Product Rights [Member]	Developed Product Technology Rights [Member]	Developed Product Technology Rights [Member]	Licensing Rights [Member]	Marketing-Related Rights [Member]
							Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [Member]	Product Rights [Member]	Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [Member]	Product Rights [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	'	'	'	'	$319	'	'	'	'	'
Marketable securities	'	'	'	'	337	'	'	'	'	'
Inventories	'	'	'	'	170	'	'	'	'	'
Indefinite-lived intangible assets - In-process research and development (IPR&D)	'	'	'	'	1,170	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-lived intangible assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,190	11	2,792	363
Goodwill	14,832	14,968	12,604	12,662	2,393	3	'	'	'	'
Convertible debt	'	'	'	'	-742	'	'	'	'	'
Assumed contingent consideration	'	'	'	'	-261	'	'	'	'	'
Deferred income taxes, net	'	'	'	'	-2,993	'	'	'	'	'
Other assets (liabilities), net	'	'	'	'	142	'	'	'	'	'
Total consideration	'	'	'	'	9,517	398	'	'	'	'
Other assets	'	'	'	'	'	$21	'	'	'	'

Business_combinations_Details_1

Business combinations (Details 2) (Product Rights [Member], USD $)	1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Product Rights [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Total consideration transferred or to be transferred	$497
Settlement of preexisting relationship at fair value	-99
Total consideration transferred to acquire the Product Rights	$398

Business_combinations_Details_2

Business combinations (Details Textual) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [Member]

Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [Member]

Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [Member]

Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [Member]

Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [Member]

Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [Member]

Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [Member]

Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [Member]

Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [Member]

Product Rights [Member]

Product Rights [Member]

Product Rights [Member]

Product Rights [Member]

oncology_assets

oncology_assets

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]

Developed Product Technology Rights [Member]

Developed Product Technology Rights [Member]

Licensing Rights [Member]

Common Stockholders [Member]

Equity Award Holders for Services Rendered Prior to Date of Acquisition [Member]

market

Cost of Sales [Member]

Developed Product Technology Rights [Member]

Marketing-Related Rights [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of partnered oncology assets

'

'

3

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash payments

'

'

$9,517

$9,517

'

'

'

'

'

$9,186

$331

'

'

'

'

Total consideration transferred or to be transferred

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

497

'

'

'

Share-based compensation expense

'

'

'

'

'

197

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reduction in goodwill

130

[1]

48

[1]

'

'

133

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Increase in developed product technology rights

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

280

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Increase in deferred income taxes

'

'

'

'

75

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Decrease in inventory

'

'

'

'

80

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Finite-lived intangible assets, estimated useful life (in years)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'12 years

'

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'3 years 6 months

'5 years

Number of markets holding acquired licenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100

'

'

'

Fair value of contract terminated

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$99

'

'

[1]

Composed primarily of adjustments to goodwill resulting from changes to the acquisition date fair values of net assets acquired in business combinations recorded during their respective measurement periods.

Income_taxes_Details

Income taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Income taxes (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'
Effective income tax rate	10.90%	-6.80%
Effective tax rate for the period excluding the impact of the tax credits associated with the new Pr excise tax	15.40%	-0.80%
Increase in gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits for period	$65	'
Decrease in unrecognized tax benefits that is reasonably possible within the succeeding 12 months due to resolution of federal and state audits	$70	'
Puerto Rico Excise Tax [Member]	'	'
Puerto Rico Excise Tax Rate [Line Items]	'	'
Effective excise tax rate for first half of 2013	2.75%	'
Excise tax rate effective July 1, 2013 through 2017	4.00%	'

Earnings_per_share_Details

Earnings per share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Income (Numerator):	'	'
Net income for basic and diluted EPS	$1,073	$1,434
Shares (Denominator):	'	'
Weighted-average shares for basic EPS	757	751
Effect of dilutive securities	11	13
Weighted-average shares for diluted EPS	768	764
Basic EPS (in usd per share)	$1.42	$1.91
Diluted EPS (in usd per share)	$1.40	$1.88

Availableforsale_investments_D

Available-for-sale investments (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
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	$23,002	$22,432
Gross unrealized gains	117	97
Gross unrealized losses	-122	-166
Total available-for-sale investments	22,997	22,363
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	4,802	4,737
Gross unrealized gains	4	2
Gross unrealized losses	-7	-9
Total available-for-sale investments	4,799	4,730
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	1,005	1,087
Gross unrealized gains	0	0
Gross unrealized losses	-6	-8
Total available-for-sale investments	999	1,079
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	1,547	1,574
Gross unrealized gains	18	13
Gross unrealized losses	-23	-41
Total available-for-sale investments	1,542	1,546
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	3,700	3,667
Gross unrealized gains	29	28
Gross unrealized losses	-10	-19
Total available-for-sale investments	3,719	3,676
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	3,739	3,745
Gross unrealized gains	42	36
Gross unrealized losses	-11	-21
Total available-for-sale investments	3,770	3,760
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	410	388
Gross unrealized gains	4	4
Gross unrealized losses	-1	-2
Total available-for-sale investments	413	390
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	1,449	1,478
Gross unrealized gains	3	3
Gross unrealized losses	-16	-21
Total available-for-sale investments	1,436	1,460
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	1,519	1,555
Gross unrealized gains	0	1
Gross unrealized losses	-48	-45
Total available-for-sale investments	1,471	1,511
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	3,434	3,366
Gross unrealized gains	0	0
Gross unrealized losses	0	0
Total available-for-sale investments	3,434	3,366
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	1,306	750
Gross unrealized gains	0	0
Gross unrealized losses	0	0
Total available-for-sale investments	1,306	750
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	22,911	22,347
Gross unrealized gains	100	87
Gross unrealized losses	-122	-166
Total available-for-sale investments	22,889	22,268
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	91	85
Gross unrealized gains	17	10
Gross unrealized losses	0	0
Total available-for-sale investments	$108	$95

Availableforsale_investments_D1

Available-for-sale investments (Details 1) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair values of available-for-sale investments by classification in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$3,687	$3,805	$2,530	$3,257
Marketable securities	16,115	15,596	'	'
Other assets — noncurrent	1,525	1,767	'	'
Restricted investments	3,414	3,412	'	'
Total available-for-sale investments	22,997	22,363	'	'
Available-for-sale investments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair values of available-for-sale investments by classification in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	3,366	3,266	'	'
Other assets — noncurrent	108	95	'	'
ATL Holdings [Member] | Available-for-sale investments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair values of available-for-sale investments by classification in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	'	'	'	'
Restricted investments	$3,408	$3,406	'	'

Availableforsale_investments_D2

Available-for-sale investments (Details 2) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair values of available-for-sale debt security investments by contractual maturity	'	'
Maturing in one year or less	$7,107	$6,799
Maturing after one year through three years	5,261	4,785
Maturing after three years through five years	5,947	6,057
Maturing after five years through ten years	1,667	1,656
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities	2,907	2,971
Total available-for-sale investments	22,997	22,363
Total interest-bearing securities [Member]	'	'
Fair values of available-for-sale debt security investments by contractual maturity	'	'
Total available-for-sale investments	$22,889	$22,268

Availableforsale_investments_D3

Available-for-sale investments (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Available-for-sale investments (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'
Cash	$321,000,000	'	$539,000,000
Total realized gains	28,000,000	85,000,000	'
Total realized losses	26,000,000	18,000,000	'
Available for sale securities gross unrealized loss accumulated in investments	122,000,000	'	166,000,000
Continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months	8,900,000,000	'	'
ATL Holdings [Member]	'	'	'
Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest receivable	$6,000,000	'	$6,000,000

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Inventories	'	'
Raw materials	$212	$217
Work in process	1,885	2,064
Finished goods	869	738
Total inventories	$2,966	$3,019

Goodwill_and_other_intangible_2

Goodwill and other intangible assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'		'
Beginning balance	$14,968		$12,662
Goodwill related acquisitions of businesses	-130	[1]	-48	[1]
Currency translation adjustments	-6		-10
Ending balance	$14,832		$12,604
[1]	Composed primarily of adjustments to goodwill resulting from changes to the acquisition date fair values of net assets acquired in business combinations recorded during their respective measurement periods.

Goodwill_and_other_intangible_3

Goodwill and other intangible assets (Details 1) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Finite-lived intangible assets:	'	'
Gross carrying amount	$15,844	$15,197
Accumulated amortization	-4,932	-4,575
Intangible assets, net	10,912	10,622
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:	'	'
Total gross carrying amount	18,498	17,837
Total accumulated amortization	-4,932	-4,575
Total intangible assets, net	13,566	13,262
IPR&D [Member]	'	'
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:	'	'
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	2,654	2,640
Developed Product Technology Rights [Member]	'	'
Finite-lived intangible assets:	'	'
Gross carrying amount	10,421	10,130
Accumulated amortization	-3,553	-3,347
Intangible assets, net	6,868	6,783
Licensing Rights [Member]	'	'
Finite-lived intangible assets:	'	'
Gross carrying amount	3,241	3,241
Accumulated amortization	-463	-366
Intangible assets, net	2,778	2,875
R&D Technology Rights [Member]	'	'
Finite-lived intangible assets:	'	'
Gross carrying amount	1,210	1,207
Accumulated amortization	-518	-496
Intangible assets, net	692	711
Marketing-related Rights [Member]	'	'
Finite-lived intangible assets:	'	'
Gross carrying amount	972	619
Accumulated amortization	-398	-366
Intangible assets, net	$574	$253

Goodwill_and_other_intangible_4

Goodwill and other intangible assets (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Amortization charges associated with finite-lived intangible assets	$357,000,000	$117,000,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]	'	'
Total estimated amortization of finite- lived intangible assets for the nine months ended 2014	951,000,000	'
Total estimated amortization of finite- lived intangible assets for 2015	1,300,000,000	'
Total estimated amortization of finite- lived intangible assets for 2016	1,300,000,000	'
Total estimated amortization of finite- lived intangible assets for 2017	1,100,000,000	'
Total estimated amortization of finite- lived intangible assets for 2018	967,000,000	'
Total estimated amortization of finite- lived intangible assets for 2019	$894,000,000	'

Financing_arrangements_Details

Financing arrangements (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'
Other notes	$105	$105
Total debt	32,024	32,128
Less current portion	-2,505	-2,505
Total noncurrent debt	29,519	29,623
1.875% notes due 2014 (1.875% 2014 Notes) [Member]	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'
Less current portion	-1,000	-1,000
Interest rate, stated percentage	1.88%	1.88%
4.85% notes due 2014 (4.85% 2014 Notes) [Member]	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'
Less current portion	-1,000	-1,000
Interest rate, stated percentage	4.85%	4.85%
2.30% notes due 2016 (2.30% 2016 Notes) [Member]	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'
Total noncurrent debt	749	749
Interest rate, stated percentage	2.30%	2.30%
2.50% notes due 2016 (2.50% 2016 Notes) [Member]	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'
Total noncurrent debt	999	999
Interest rate, stated percentage	2.50%	2.50%
2.125% notes due 2017 (2.125% 2017 Notes) [Member]	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'
Total noncurrent debt	1,249	1,248
Interest rate, stated percentage	2.13%	2.13%
5.85% notes due 2017 (5.85% 2017 Notes) [Member]	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'
Total noncurrent debt	1,099	1,099
Interest rate, stated percentage	5.85%	5.85%
6.15% notes due 2018 (6.15% 2018 Notes) [Member]	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'
Total noncurrent debt	500	500
Interest rate, stated percentage	6.15%	6.15%
Master Repurchase Agreement Obligation due 2018 [Member]	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'
Loans payable to bank, noncurrent	3,100	3,100
Term Loan Due 2018 [Member]	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'
Loans payable to bank	4,750	4,875
Term Loan Credit Facility, repayment of principal	125	'
4.375% euro denominated notes due 2018 (4.375% 2018 euro Notes) [Member]	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'
Total noncurrent debt	757	751
Interest rate, stated percentage	4.38%	4.38%
5.70% notes due 2019 (5.70% 2019 Notes) [Member]	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'
Total noncurrent debt	999	999
Interest rate, stated percentage	5.70%	5.70%
2.125% euro denominated notes due 2019 (2.125% 2019 euro Notes) [Member]	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'
Total noncurrent debt	927	925
Interest rate, stated percentage	2.13%	2.13%
4.50% notes due 2020 (4.50% 2020 Notes) [Member]	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'
Total noncurrent debt	300	300
Interest rate, stated percentage	4.50%	4.50%
3.45% notes due 2020 (3.45% 2020 Notes) [Member]	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'
Total noncurrent debt	898	898
Interest rate, stated percentage	3.45%	3.45%
4.10% notes due 2021 (4.10% 2021 Notes) [Member]	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'
Total noncurrent debt	998	998
Interest rate, stated percentage	4.10%	4.10%
Notes Due Two Thousand Two One [Member]	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'
Total noncurrent debt	1,746	1,746
Interest rate, stated percentage	3.88%	3.88%
3.625% notes due 2022 (3.625% 2022 Notes) [Member]	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'
Total noncurrent debt	747	747
Interest rate, stated percentage	3.63%	3.63%
5.50% pound sterling denominated notes due 2026 (5.50% 2026 pound sterling Notes) [Member]	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'
Total noncurrent debt	786	781
Interest rate, stated percentage	5.50%	5.50%
4.00% pound sterling denominated notes due 2029 (4.00% 2029 pound sterling Notes) [Member]	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'
Total noncurrent debt	1,151	1,144
Interest rate, stated percentage	4.00%	4.00%
6.375% notes due 2037 (6.375% 2037 Notes) [Member]	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'
Total noncurrent debt	899	899
Interest rate, stated percentage	6.38%	6.38%
6.90% notes due 2038 (6.90% 2038 Notes) [Member]	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'
Total noncurrent debt	499	499
Interest rate, stated percentage	6.90%	6.90%
6.40% notes due 2039 (6.40% 2039 Notes) [Member]	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'
Total noncurrent debt	996	996
Interest rate, stated percentage	6.40%	6.40%
5.75% notes due 2040 (5.75% 2040 Notes) [Member]	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'
Total noncurrent debt	697	697
Interest rate, stated percentage	5.75%	5.75%
4.95% notes due 2041 (4.95% 2041 Notes) [Member]	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'
Total noncurrent debt	596	596
Interest rate, stated percentage	4.95%	4.95%
5.15% notes due 2041 (5.15% 2041 Notes) [Member]	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'
Total noncurrent debt	2,233	2,233
Interest rate, stated percentage	5.15%	5.15%
5.65% notes due 2042 (5.65% 2042 Notes) [Member]	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'
Total noncurrent debt	1,244	1,244
Interest rate, stated percentage	5.65%	5.65%
5.375% notes due 2043 (5.375% 2043 Notes) [Member]	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'
Total noncurrent debt	$1,000	$1,000
Interest rate, stated percentage	5.38%	5.38%

Stockholders_equity_Details_Te

Stockholders' equity (Details Textual) (USD $)	1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
In Billions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 07, 2014	Mar. 05, 2014	Dec. 13, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Amount available for stock repurchases under a board approved stock repurchase plan	'	'	'	$1.60	'
Common stock, dividends declared per share (in usd per share)	'	$0.61	$0.61	'	'
Dividends paid per share (in usd per share)	$0.61	'	'	$0.61	$0.47

Stockholders_equity_Details_1

Stockholders' equity (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]	'
Beginning balance, Foreign currency translation	($68)
Beginning balance, Cash flow hedges	-33
Beginning balance, Available-for-sale securities	-43
Beginning balance, Other	-17
Beginning balance, AOCI	-161
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax [Abstract]	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-12
Unrealized gains (losses), Cash flow hedges	17
Unrealized gains (losses), Available-for-sale securities	66
Unrealized gains (losses), Other	1
Unrealized gains (losses), AOCI	84
Reclassification adjustments to income, Foreign currency translation	0
Reclassification adjustments to income, Cash flow hedges	-14
Reclassification adjustments to income, Available-for-sale securities	-2
Reclassification adjustments to income, AOCI	-16
Income taxes, Foreign currency translation	4
Income taxes, Cash flow hedges	-1
Income taxes, Available-for-sale securities	-24
Income taxes, Other	0
Income taxes, AOCI	-21
Ending balance, Foreign currency translation	-76
Ending balance, Cash flow hedges	-31
Ending balance, Available-for-sale securities	-3
Ending balance, Other	-16
Ending balance, AOCI	($126)

Stockholders_equity_Details_2

Stockholders' equity (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'
Product sales	$4,356	$4,151
Interest and other income, net	99	164
Income before income taxes	1,204	1,343
Tax expense	-131	91
Net income	1,073	1,434
Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	'	'
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'
Product sales	0	-4
Interest and other income, net	14	-140
Income before income taxes	14	-144
Tax expense	-5	53
Net income	9	-91
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	67
Tax expense	-1	-25
Net income	$1	$42

Fair_value_measurement_Details

Fair value measurement (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Assets:	'	'	'	'
Total available-for-sale investments	$22,997	$22,363	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Assets:	'	'	'	'
Interest rate swap contracts	4	'	'	'
Total assets	23,258	22,609	'	'
Derivative Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Interest rate swap contracts	103	161	'	'
Contingent consideration obligations in connection with business combinations	596	595	'	'
Total liabilities	802	867	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Foreign currency contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Assets:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency contracts	62	53	'	'
Derivative Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency contracts	101	107	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Cross currency swap contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Assets:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency contracts	195	193	'	'
Derivative Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency contracts	2	4	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | U.S. Treasury securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'
Total available-for-sale investments	4,799	4,730	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Other government-related debt securities - U.S. [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'
Total available-for-sale investments	999	1,079	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Other government-related debt securities - Foreign and other [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'
Total available-for-sale investments	1,542	1,546	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate debt securities - Financial [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'
Total available-for-sale investments	3,719	3,676	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate debt securities - Industrial [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'
Total available-for-sale investments	3,770	3,760	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate debt securities - Other [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'
Total available-for-sale investments	413	390	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'
Total available-for-sale investments	1,436	1,460	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Other mortgage- and asset-backed securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'
Total available-for-sale investments	1,471	1,511	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Money market mutual funds [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'
Total available-for-sale investments	3,434	3,366	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Other short-term interest-bearing securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'
Total available-for-sale investments	1,306	750	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Equity securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'
Total available-for-sale investments	108	95	'	'
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	8,341	8,191	'	'
Derivative Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Interest rate swap contracts	0	0	'	'
Contingent consideration obligations in connection with business combinations	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	4,799	4,730	'	'
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	3,434	3,366	'	'
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	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	108	95	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Assets:	'	'	'	'
Interest rate swap contracts	4	'	'	'
Total assets	14,917	14,418	'	'
Derivative Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Interest rate swap contracts	103	161	'	'
Contingent consideration obligations in connection with business combinations	0	0	'	'
Total liabilities	206	272	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Foreign currency contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Assets:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency contracts	62	53	'	'
Derivative Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency contracts	101	107	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Cross currency swap contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Assets:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency contracts	195	193	'	'
Derivative Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency contracts	2	4	'	'
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	999	1,079	'	'
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	1,542	1,546	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Corporate debt securities - Financial [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'
Total available-for-sale investments	3,719	3,676	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Corporate debt securities - Industrial [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'
Total available-for-sale investments	3,770	3,760	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Corporate debt securities - Other [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'
Total available-for-sale investments	413	390	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'
Total available-for-sale investments	1,436	1,460	'	'
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	1,471	1,511	'	'
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	1,306	750	'	'
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	0	'	'
Contingent consideration obligations in connection with business combinations	596	595	222	221
Total liabilities	596	595	'	'
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	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_measurement_Fair_va

Fair value measurement Fair value measurement (Details 1) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified			Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]	Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	$596	$595	$595	$221
Net changes in valuation	'	'	1	1
Ending balance	$596	$595	$596	$222

Fair_value_measurements_Detail

Fair value measurements (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014
			BioVex Group Inc [Member]	BioVex Group Inc [Member]	Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [Member]	Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [Member]	Other Government-related and Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
			ContingentConsideration		payment
Business Acquisition [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	1,000,000	'	'
Assumed contingent consideration obligation	'	'	'	334,000,000	'	261,000,000	'
Number of milestone payments	'	'	'	'	2	'	'
Contingent consideration arrangements, milestone payments	'	'	'	'	150,000,000	'	'
Fair Value Measurement (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Aggregate fair value of long-term debt, including current portion	33,800,000,000	33,500,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Carrying value of long-term debt, including current portion	$32,024,000,000	$32,128,000,000	'	'	'	'	'

Derivative_Instruments_Details

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

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

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
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
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	$17	($25)
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	13	100
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	$4	($125)

Derivative_instruments_Details1

Derivative instruments (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]	'	'
Product sales	$4,356	$4,151
Interest and other income, net	99	164
Income before income taxes	1,204	1,343
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	0	-4
Interest and other income, net	14	-140
Income before income taxes	14	-144
Cash flow hedge [Member] | 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]	'	'
Income before income taxes	14	-144
Cash flow hedge [Member] | 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	0	-4
Cash flow hedge [Member] | 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	$14	($140)

Derivative_instruments_Details2

Derivative instruments (Details 3) (Foreign currency contracts [Member], Interest and other income, net [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
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	$2	($16)

Derivative_instruments_Details3

Derivative instruments (Details 4) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'	'
Total derivative assets, fair value	$261	$246
Liabilities	'	'
Total derivative liabilities, fair value	206	272
Derivatives designated as hedging instrument [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Total derivative assets, fair value	259	246
Liabilities	'	'
Total derivative liabilities, fair value	204	269
Derivatives not designated as hedging instrument [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Total derivative assets, fair value	2	0
Liabilities	'	'
Total derivative liabilities, fair value	2	3
Cross currency swap contracts [Member] | Other current assets/Other noncurrent assets [Member] | Derivatives designated as hedging instrument [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Total derivative assets, fair value	195	193
Cross currency swap contracts [Member] | Accrued liabilities/Other noncurrent liabilities [Member] | Derivatives designated as hedging instrument [Member]	'	'
Liabilities	'	'
Total derivative liabilities, fair value	2	4
Foreign currency contracts [Member] | Other current assets/Other noncurrent assets [Member] | Derivatives designated as hedging instrument [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Total derivative assets, fair value	60	53
Foreign currency contracts [Member] | Other current assets [Member] | Derivatives not designated as hedging instrument [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Total derivative assets, fair value	2	0
Foreign currency contracts [Member] | Accrued liabilities/Other noncurrent liabilities [Member] | Derivatives designated as hedging instrument [Member]	'	'
Liabilities	'	'
Total derivative liabilities, fair value	99	104
Foreign currency contracts [Member] | Accrued liabilities [Member] | Derivatives not designated as hedging instrument [Member]	'	'
Liabilities	'	'
Total derivative liabilities, fair value	2	3
Interest rate swap contracts [Member] | Other current assets/Other noncurrent assets [Member] | Derivatives designated as hedging instrument [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Total derivative assets, fair value	4	0
Interest rate swap contracts [Member] | Accrued liabilities/Other noncurrent liabilities [Member] | Derivatives designated as hedging instrument [Member]	'	'
Liabilities	'	'
Total derivative liabilities, fair value	$103	$161

Derivative_instruments_Details4

Derivative instruments (Details Textual) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

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]

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]

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

$3,900

$4,000

$366

$516

$4,400

$977

$999

Amounts expected to be reclassified from AOCI into earnings over the next 12 months - losses

'

'

'

39

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amounts expected to be reclassified from AOCI into earnings over the next 12 months - losses

'

'

'

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative lower range variable interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

1.10%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative higher range variable interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

2.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrealized gain (loss) on the hedged debt

'

-62

-22

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swaps

'

$62

$22

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Subsequent_event_Details

Subsequent event (Details) (Glaxo [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Glaxo [Member]	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Amount of payments to be made in exchange for the early termination of the Collaboration Agreement	$275