Amgen (AMGN) 10-Q 29 Oct 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 21, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'Amgen Inc.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000318154	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	760,670,000

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Product sales	$4,848	$4,647	$14,153	$13,393
Other revenues	183	101	579	272
Total revenues	5,031	4,748	14,732	13,665
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Cost of sales	1,068	788	3,239	2,317
Research and development	1,018	989	3,063	2,834
Selling, general and administrative	1,213	1,249	3,372	3,663
Other	266	34	326	171
Total operating expenses	3,565	3,060	10,000	8,985
Operating income	1,466	1,688	4,732	4,680
Interest expense, net	269	257	810	761
Interest and other income, net	140	72	377	332
Income before income taxes	1,337	1,503	4,299	4,251
Provision for income taxes	93	135	435	191
Net income	$1,244	$1,368	$3,864	$4,060
Earnings per share:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in usd per share)	$1.63	$1.81	$5.10	$5.40
Diluted (in usd per share)	$1.61	$1.79	$5.02	$5.31
Shares used in calculation of earnings per share:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in shares)	761	754	758	752
Diluted (in shares)	771	766	769	764
Dividends paid per share (in usd per share)	$0.61	$0.47	$1.83	$1.41

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income	$1,244	$1,368	$3,864	$4,060
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of reclassification adjustments and taxes:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation (losses) gains	-124	12	-125	-36
Effective portion of cash flow hedges	228	-84	205	13
Net unrealized (losses) gains on available-for-sale securities	-94	48	-33	-219
Other	9	-2	10	-1
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	19	-26	57	-243
Comprehensive income	$1,263	$1,342	$3,921	$3,817

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$3,677	$3,805
Marketable securities	24,398	15,596
Trade receivables, net	2,355	2,697
Inventories	2,885	3,019
Other current assets	2,733	2,250
Total current assets	36,048	27,367
Property, plant and equipment, net	5,267	5,349
Intangible assets, net	13,100	13,262
Goodwill	14,815	14,968
Restricted investments	0	3,412
Other assets	1,545	1,767
Total assets	70,775	66,125
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	955	787
Accrued liabilities	5,096	4,655
Current portion of long-term debt	2,500	2,505
Total current liabilities	8,551	7,947
Long-term debt	30,480	29,623
Other noncurrent liabilities	6,419	6,459
Contingencies and commitments	'	'
Stockholders’ equity:	'	'
Common stock and additional paid-in capital; $0.0001 par value; 2,750.0 shares authorized; outstanding - 760.6 shares in 2014 and 754.6 shares in 2013	30,127	29,891
Accumulated deficit	-4,698	-7,634
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-104	-161
Total stockholders’ equity	25,325	22,096
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$70,775	$66,125

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 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	760,600,000	754,600,000

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$3,864	$4,060
Depreciation and amortization	1,567	842
Stock-based compensation expense	302	304
Deferred income taxes	296	46
Other items, net	-260	73
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:	'	'
Trade receivables, net	345	-132
Inventories	99	-71
Other assets	-120	-174
Accounts payable	104	6
Accrued income taxes	-324	-483
Other liabilities	237	-15
Net cash provided by operating activities	6,110	4,456
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-515	-492
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-115	0
Purchase of intangible assets	-150	0
Purchases of marketable securities	-20,831	-17,878
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities	11,060	15,743
Proceeds from maturities of marketable securities	3,962	4,846
Change in restricted investments	533	-526
Other	-70	-44
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	-6,126	1,649
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Net proceeds from issuance of debt	4,476	3,074
Repayment of debt	-3,480	-2,500
Repurchases of common stock	0	-832
Dividends paid	-1,387	-1,061
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with the Company’s equity award programs	153	268
Other	126	-30
Net cash used in financing activities	-112	-1,081
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-128	5,024
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	3,805	3,257
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$3,677	$8,281

Summary_of_significant_account

Summary of significant accounting policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 and nine months ended September 30, 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 and in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2014, and June 30, 2014.
	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 $7.4 billion and $6.9 billion as of September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	Restricted investments
	As of December 31, 2013, we had restricted investments on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet that were owned by ATL Holdings Limited (ATL Holdings), a wholly-owned subsidiary. ATL Holdings was an entity distinct from the Company and its other subsidiaries, with separate assets and liabilities. Because certain third parties owned Class A preferred shares of ATL Holdings, this entity was required to hold restricted investments, which were composed of interest-bearing securities, cash and related interest receivable as of December 31, 2013. On May 22, 2014, the Company repurchased all of the outstanding Class A preferred shares, and therefore, there were no remaining restricted investments on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2014. See Note 9, Financing arrangements.
	Branded prescription drug fee
	During the three months ended September 30, 2014, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued final regulations for the branded prescription drug (BPD) fee, an annual non-tax deductible fee imposed on certain companies engaged in the business of manufacturing or importing branded prescription drugs enacted under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The final regulations accelerated the expense recognition criteria for the fee obligation by one year, from the year in which the fee is paid to the year in which the sales used to calculate the fee occur. As a result, our Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2014, will include both the estimated BPD fee imposed and paid in 2014 and an estimated BPD fee to be imposed and paid in 2015. Pursuant to the issuance of these final regulations, we recognized an additional $145 million in Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense during the three months ended September 30, 2014, for: (i) the accrual of the estimated fee to be imposed and paid in 2015 related to sales which will be used to calculate the fee that occurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, and (ii) the derecognition of the remaining deferred charge related to the fee imposed and paid in 2014 recorded under the method of accounting previously used for recognition of the BPD fee under the IRS temporary regulations.
	Recent accounting pronouncements
	In May 2014, a new accounting standard was issued that amends the guidance for the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers to transfer goods and services. This new standard will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning January 1, 2017, is required to be adopted retrospectively and early adoption is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact that this new standard will have on our financial statements.

Restructuring

Restructuring	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Restructuring	'
	Restructuring
	On July 29, 2014, we announced a restructuring plan to invest in continuing innovation and the launch of our new pipeline molecules, while improving our cost structure. As part of the plan, we stated that we would reduce our staff by 2,400 to 2,900 by the end of 2015, close our facilities in Washington state and Colorado and reduce the number of buildings occupied at our headquarters in Thousand Oaks, California. After evaluating additional efficiency initiatives, particularly in the area of shared services, outsourcing and other external expense categories, we are expanding the total planned reduction of our staff to 3,500 to 4,000 by the end of 2015.
	We currently estimate that $935 million to $1,035 million of restructuring charges will be incurred in connection with the implementation of our restructuring plan. Included in these amounts are: (i) separation costs of $535 million to $585 million with respect to the staff reductions, and (ii) asset related charges of $400 million to $450 million consisting primarily of asset impairments, accelerated depreciation and other related costs resulting from the consolidation of our worldwide facilities. Approximately 55% of the total charges will result in cash outlays, associated primarily with staff separation costs.
	During the three months ended September 30, 2014, we initiated the above-noted actions and incurred $376 million of restructuring costs. We expect that substantially all remaining restructuring actions and related estimated costs to be incurred will occur during the fourth quarter of 2014 and in 2015.
	The following table summarizes the charges recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2014, related to the restructuring plan by type of activity (in millions):
		Separation Costs		Asset Impairments			Accelerated Depreciation			Other		Total
	Cost of sales	$	—	$	17		$	11		$	—	$	28
	Research and development	—		—			15			—		15
	Selling, general and administrative	—		—			3			—		3
	Other	323		—			—			7		330
	Total	$	323	$	17		$	29		$	7	$	376
	Asset impairment and accelerated depreciation charges were recognized in connection with our decision to exit Boulder and Longmont, Colorado and Bothell and Seattle, Washington as well as the consolidation of facilities in Thousand Oaks, California. The decision to accelerate the closure of these manufacturing and research and development (R&D) facilities was based principally on optimizing the utilization of our sites in the United States, which includes an expansion of our presence in the key U.S. biotechnology hubs of South San Francisco, California and Cambridge, Massachusetts.
	The following table summarizes the expense and payments regarding liabilities related to the restructuring plan (in millions):
		Separation Costs		Other			Total
	Restructuring liabilities as of June 30, 2014	$	—	$	—		$	—
	Expense	309		3			312
	Payments	—		(1		)	(1		)
	Restructuring liabilities as of September 30, 2014	$	309	$	2		$	311

Business_combinations

Business combinations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 SG&A expense in the Consolidated Statement of Income.
	The consideration to acquire Onyx was allocated 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)	1,180
	Finite-lived intangible assets - Developed product technology rights	6,190
	Finite-lived intangible assets - Licensing rights	2,792
	Goodwill	2,402
	Convertible debt	(742		)
	Assumed contingent consideration	(261		)
	Deferred income taxes, net	(3,011		)
	Other assets (liabilities), net	141
	Total consideration	$	9,517
	Onyx’s preliminary goodwill at December 31, 2013 has been revised. Goodwill was reduced by $124 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 $93 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 on a straight-line basis.
	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 nine months ended September 30, 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.

Income_taxes

Income taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income taxes	'
	Income taxes
	The effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 were 7.0% and 10.1%, respectively, compared with 9.0% and 4.5% for the corresponding periods of the prior year. The effective rates are different from the federal statutory rates primarily as a result of indefinitely invested earnings of our foreign operations. We do not provide for U.S. income taxes on undistributed earnings of our foreign operations that are intended to be invested indefinitely outside of the United States. In addition, the effective tax rates for both periods were reduced by foreign tax credits associated with the Puerto Rico excise tax described below.
	The decrease in our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2014, is due primarily to the favorable tax impact of changes in the jurisdictional mix of income and expenses, including higher domestic acquisition-related expenses and restructuring costs. The decrease was offset partially by the exclusion of the benefit of the R&D tax credit, which expired as of December 31, 2013, and was not reinstated as of September 30, 2014.
	The increase in our effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, is due primarily to two significant events that occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2013. First, we settled our examination with the IRS for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009 in which we agreed to certain adjustments proposed by the IRS and remeasured our unrecognized tax benefits (UTBs) accordingly. Second, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, enacted during the first quarter of 2013, reinstated the federal R&D tax credit for 2012 and 2013. Therefore, our effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, included a benefit for the full-year 2012 R&D tax credit, recorded as a discrete item in the first quarter of 2013. The increase was offset partially by the favorable tax impact of changes in the jurisdictional mix of income and expenses due primarily to higher domestic acquisition-related expenses and restructuring costs in the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
	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 and nine months ended September 30, 2014, would have been 12.5% and 15.0%, respectively, compared with 13.8% and 9.8% for the corresponding periods 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 and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the gross amount of our UTBs increased by approximately $90 million and $255 million, respectively, as a result of tax positions taken during the current year. Substantially all of the UTBs as of September 30, 2014, if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate. As of September 30, 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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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				Nine months ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Income (Numerator):
	Net income for basic and diluted EPS	$	1,244	$	1,368	$	3,864	$	4,060
	Shares (Denominator):
	Weighted-average shares for basic EPS	761		754		758		752
	Effect of dilutive securities	10		12		11		12
	Weighted-average shares for diluted EPS	771		766		769		764
	Basic EPS	$	1.63	$	1.81	$	5.1	$	5.4
	Diluted EPS	$	1.61	$	1.79	$	5.02	$	5.31
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30, 2014	Amortized		Gross			Gross			Estimated
		cost		unrealized			unrealized			fair
				gains			losses			value
	U.S. Treasury securities	$	3,577	$	4		$	(9	)	$	3,572
	Other government-related debt securities:
	U.S.	996		1			(5		)	992
	Foreign and other	1,553		18			(15		)	1,556
	Corporate debt securities:
	Financial	5,918		18			(26		)	5,910
	Industrial	6,043		22			(56		)	6,009
	Other	631		3			(4		)	630
	Residential mortgage-backed securities	1,838		3			(14		)	1,827
	Other mortgage- and asset-backed securities	2,101		—			(62		)	2,039
	Money market mutual funds	2,386		—			—			2,386
	Other short-term interest-bearing securities	2,661		—			—			2,661
	Total interest-bearing securities	27,704		69			(191		)	27,582
	Equity securities	88		8			(8		)	88
	Total available-for-sale investments	$	27,792	$	77		$	(199	)	$	27,670
	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	September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	3,184	$	3,266
	Marketable securities	24,398		15,596
	Other assets — noncurrent	88		95
	Restricted investments	—		3,406
	Total available-for-sale investments	$	27,670	$	22,363
	Cash and cash equivalents in the table above excludes cash of $493 million and $539 million as of September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, respectively. Restricted investments in the table above excludes $6 million of interest receivable as of 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	September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Maturing in one year or less	$	5,101	$	6,799
	Maturing after one year through three years	2,569		4,785
	Maturing after three years through five years	9,296		6,057
	Maturing after five years through ten years	6,299		1,656
	Maturing after ten years	451		—
	Mortgage- and asset-backed securities	3,866		2,971
	Total interest-bearing securities	$	27,582	$	22,268
	For the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, realized gains totaled $17 million and $24 million, respectively, and realized losses totaled $28 million and $26 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, realized gains totaled $102 million and $142 million, respectively, and realized losses totaled $71 million and $70 million, respectively. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method.
	The unrealized losses on available-for-sale investments and their related fair values were as follows (in millions):
		Less than 12 months					12 months or greater
	Type of security as of September 30, 2014	Fair value		Unrealized losses			Fair value			Unrealized losses
	U.S. Treasury securities	$	2,131	$	(7	)	$	310		$	(2	)
	Other government-related debt securities:
U.S.	380		(1		)	296			(4		)
Foreign and other	429		(6		)	232			(9		)
Corporate debt securities:
Financial	3,555		(24		)	184			(2		)
Industrial	3,846		(53		)	240			(3		)
Other	358		(4		)	7			—
Residential mortgage-backed securities	739		(4		)	447			(10		)
Other mortgage- and asset-backed securities	883		(11		)	841			(51		)
Equity securities	24		(8		)	—			—
Total	$	12,345	$	(118	)	$	2,557		$	(81	)
	Less than 12 months					12 months or greater
Type of security as of December 31, 2013	Fair value		Unrealized losses			Fair value			Unrealized losses
U.S. Treasury securities	$	2,362	$	(9	)	$	—		$	—
Other government-related debt securities:
U.S.	789		(8		)	—			—
Foreign and other	986		(38		)	39			(3		)
Corporate debt securities:
Financial	1,781		(19		)	—			—
Industrial	1,543		(21		)	1			—
Other	182		(2		)	—			—
Residential mortgage-backed securities	794		(14		)	257			(7		)
Other mortgage- and asset-backed securities	982		(29		)	313			(16		)
Total	$	9,419	$	(140	)	$	610		$	(26	)
The primary objective of our investment portfolio is to enhance overall returns in an efficient manner while maintaining safety of principal, prudent levels of liquidity and acceptable levels of risk. Our investment policy limits interest-bearing security investments to certain types of debt and money market instruments issued by institutions with primarily investment grade credit ratings and places restrictions on maturities and concentration by asset class and issuer.
We review our available-for-sale investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value below our cost basis each quarter and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the cost basis of an asset may not be recoverable. This evaluation is based on a number of factors, including the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been below our cost basis and adverse conditions related specifically to the security, including any changes to the credit rating of the security. As of September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, we believe the cost bases for our available-for-sale investments were recoverable in all material respects.

Inventories

Inventories	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	Inventories
	Inventories consisted of the following (in millions):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Raw materials	$	207	$	217
	Work in process	1,690		2,064
	Finished goods	988		738
	Total inventories	$	2,885	$	3,019

Goodwill_and_other_intangible_

Goodwill and other intangible assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and other intangible assets	'
	Goodwill and other intangible assets
	Goodwill
	The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill were as follows (in millions):
		Nine months ended September 30,
		2014			2013
	Beginning balance	$	14,968		$	12,662
	Goodwill related to acquisitions of businesses(1)	(114		)	(48		)
	Currency translation adjustments	(39		)	(42		)
	Ending balance	$	14,815		$	12,572
	(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):
		September 30, 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		$	(3,953	)	$	6,468	$	10,130	$	(3,347	)	$	6,783
	Licensing rights	3,237			(618		)	2,619		3,241		(366		)	2,875
	R&D technology rights	1,183			(552		)	631		1,207		(496		)	711
	Marketing-related rights	1,241			(475		)	766		619		(366		)	253
	Total finite-lived intangible assets	16,082			(5,598		)	10,484		15,197		(4,575		)	10,622
	Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
	IPR&D	2,616			—			2,616		2,640		—			2,640
	Total identifiable intangible assets	$	18,698		$	(5,598	)	$	13,100	$	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 (see Note 3, Business combinations), 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, including assets purchased from the Glaxo Group Limited (Glaxo) discussed below and licenses to filgrastim and pegfilgrastim acquired from Roche (see Note 3, Business combinations).
	On April 1, 2014, we entered into a Termination and Transition Agreement (the Transition Agreement) with 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 European Union (EU), Switzerland, Australia, Norway, Russia and Mexico. The Transition Agreement terminated 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, which represents the reacquisition of a previously shared economic interest in geographic territories where we were already marketing denosumab and accordingly, the transaction was accounted for as an acquisition of identifiable intangible assets.
	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.
	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 3, Business combinations); AMG 416 (formerly known as 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 September 30, 2014 and 2013, we recognized amortization charges associated with our finite-lived intangible assets of $339 million and $117 million, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, we recognized amortization charges associated with our finite-lived intangible assets of $1,037 million and $353 million, respectively. The total estimated amortization charges for our finite-lived intangible assets for the three months ending December 31, 2014, and the years ending December 31, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, are $334 million, $1.3 billion, $1.3 billion, $1.2 billion, $996 million and $922 million, respectively.

Financing_arrangements

Financing arrangements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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):
		September 30,			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)	1,000			999
	Floating Rate Notes due 2017	600			—
	1.25% notes due 2017 (1.25% 2017 Notes)	849			—
	2.125% notes due 2017 (2.125% 2017 Notes)	1,249			1,248
	5.85% notes due 2017 (5.85% 2017 Notes)	1,100			1,099
	6.15% notes due 2018 (6.15% 2018 Notes)	500			500
	Master Repurchase Agreement obligation due 2018	—			3,100
	Term Loan due 2018	4,500			4,875
	4.375% euro-denominated notes due 2018 (4.375% 2018 euro Notes)	699			751
	Floating Rate Notes due 2019	250			—
	2.20% notes due 2019 (2.20% 2019 Notes)	1,397			—
	5.70% notes due 2019 (5.70% 2019 Notes)	999			999
	2.125% euro-denominated notes due 2019 (2.125% 2019 euro Notes)	850			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)	1,747			1,746
	3.625% notes due 2022 (3.625% 2022 Notes)	747			747
	3.625% notes due 2024 (3.625% 2024 Notes)	1,398			—
	5.50% pound-sterling-denominated notes due 2026 (5.50% 2026 pound sterling Notes)	765			781
	4.00% pound-sterling-denominated notes due 2029 (4.00% 2029 pound sterling Notes)	1,120			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)	1,245			1,244
	5.375% notes due 2043 (5.375% 2043 Notes)	1,000			1,000
	Other notes	100			105
	Total debt	32,980			32,128
	Less current portion	(2,500		)	(2,505		)
	Total noncurrent debt	$	30,480		$	29,623
	Debt repayments
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we repurchased all of the Class A preferred shares of ATL Holdings that were subject to a Master Repurchase Agreement for $3.1 billion. We also repaid $375 million of principal on our Term Loan Credit Facility and $5 million of Other notes.
	Debt issuances
	In May 2014, we issued $4.5 billion aggregate principal amount of notes, comprised of the Floating Rate Notes due 2017, the 1.25% 2017 Notes, the Floating Rate Notes due 2019, the 2.20% 2019 Notes and the 3.625% 2024 Notes. The Floating Rate Notes due in 2017 and 2019 bear interest equal to three-month London Interbank Offered Rates (LIBOR) plus 0.38% and three-month LIBOR plus 0.60%, respectively, and are not subject to redemption at our option. The fixed rate notes that were issued may be redeemed at any time at our option, in whole or in part, at the principal amount of the notes being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest and, except as discussed below, a "make-whole" amount, as defined. The 2.20% 2019 Notes and 3.625% 2024 Notes may be redeemed without payment of a "make-whole" amount if they are redeemed on or after one month or three months, respectively, prior to their maturity dates. In the event of a change-in-control triggering event, as defined, we may be required to purchase all or a portion of the notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes plus accrued and unpaid interest. Debt issuance costs incurred in connection with the issuance of these notes totaling approximately $18 million are being amortized over the respective lives of the notes, and the related charge is included in Interest expense, net, in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

Stockholders_equity

Stockholders' equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' equity	'
	Stockholders’ equity
	Stock repurchase program
	We had no repurchases under our stock repurchase program during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. As of September 30, 2014, $1.6 billion remained available under our Board of Directors-approved stock repurchase program. In October 2014, our Board of Directors authorized an increase that resulted in a total of $4.0 billion available under the stock repurchase program.
	Dividends
	On each of December 13, 2013, March 5, 2014 and July 25, 2014, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.61 per share of common stock, which were paid on March 7, June 6, and September 5, 2014, respectively. On October 17, 2014, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.61 per share of common stock, which will be paid on December 5, 2014, to all stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 13, 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	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	9				—				—			—			9
	Unrealized gains	—				8				73			—			81
	Reclassification adjustments to income	—				(48		)		(40		)	—			(88		)
	Income taxes	(2		)		15				(12		)	—			1
	Balance as of June 30, 2014	$	(69	)		$	(56	)		$	18		$	(16	)	$	(123	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	(135		)		—				—			—			(135		)
	Unrealized gains (losses)	—				187				(161		)	9			35
	Reclassification adjustments to income	—				175				11			—			186
	Income taxes	11				(134		)		56			—			(67		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	(193	)		$	172			$	(76	)	$	(7	)	$	(104	)
	The reclassifications out of AOCI to earnings were as follows (in millions):
			Amounts reclassified out of AOCI
	Components of AOCI		Three months ended September 30, 2014				Three months ended September 30, 2013				Line item affected in the Statements of Income
	Cash flow hedges:
	Foreign currency contract gains		$	5			$	6			Product sales
	Cross-currency swap contract (losses) gains		(179		)		153				Interest and other income, net
	Forward interest rate contract losses		(1		)		—				Interest expense, net
			(175		)		159				Total before income tax
			64				(59		)		Tax benefit/(expense)
			$	(111	)		$	100			Net of taxes
	Available-for-sale securities:
	Net realized losses		$	(11	)		$	(2	)		Interest and other income, net
			4				1				Tax benefit
			$	(7	)		$	(1	)		Net of taxes
			Amounts reclassified out of AOCI
	Components of AOCI		Nine months ended September 30, 2014				Nine months ended September 30, 2013				Line item affected in the Statements of Income
	Cash flow hedges:
	Foreign currency contract gains		$	5			$	9			Product sales
	Cross-currency swap contract (losses) gains		(117		)		25				Interest and other income, net
	Forward interest rate contract losses		(1		)		(1		)		Interest expense, net
			(113		)		33				Total before income tax
			41				(13		)		Tax benefit/(expense)
			$	(72	)		$	20			Net of taxes
	Available-for-sale securities:
	Net realized gains		$	31			$	72			Interest and other income, net
			(12		)		(27		)		Tax expense
			$	19			$	45			Net of taxes

Fair_value_measurement

Fair value measurement	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30, 2014, using:		(Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)			Total
	Assets:
	Available-for-sale investments:
	U.S. Treasury securities		$	3,572		$	—		$	—		$	3,572
	Other government-related debt securities:
	U.S.		—			992			—			992
	Foreign and other		—			1,556			—			1,556
	Corporate debt securities:
	Financial		—			5,910			—			5,910
	Industrial		—			6,009			—			6,009
	Other		—			630			—			630
	Residential mortgage-backed securities		—			1,827			—			1,827
	Other mortgage- and asset-backed securities		—			2,039			—			2,039
	Money market mutual funds		2,386			—			—			2,386
	Other short-term interest-bearing securities		—			2,661			—			2,661
	Equity securities		88			—			—			88
	Derivatives:
	Foreign currency contracts		—			228			—			228
	Cross-currency swap contracts		—			120			—			120
	Interest rate swap contracts		—			18			—			18
	Total assets		$	6,046		$	21,990		$	—		$	28,036
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives:
	Foreign currency contracts		$	—		$	3		$	—		$	3
	Cross-currency swap contracts		—			8			—			8
	Interest rate swap contracts		—			90			—			90
	Contingent consideration obligations in connection with business combinations		—			—			548			548
	Total liabilities		$	—		$	101		$	548		$	649
			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 BBB+ by S&P or 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, 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 12, 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 12, 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 a 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. The fair value measurements of these obligations are based on significant unobservable inputs related to product candidates acquired in the business combinations and are reviewed quarterly by management in our R&D and commercial sales organizations. These inputs include, as applicable, estimated probabilities and timing of achieving specified regulatory and commercial milestones and 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 or decrease estimated annual sales would result in corresponding increases or decreases in the fair values of these obligations, as applicable. 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						Nine months ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
Beginning balance	$	610		$	332		$	595		$	221
Net changes in valuation	(62		)	—			(47		)	111
Ending balance	$	548		$	332		$	548		$	332
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 separate regulatory and sales-related milestones with regard to talimogene laherparepvec, which was acquired in the acquisition. In July 2014, we submitted a Biologics License Application (BLA) in the United States for regionally and distantly metastatic melanoma. In September 2014, we submitted a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of adults with regionally and distantly metastatic melanoma. As a result of the U.S. filing, a $125 million milestone payment is now due to the former BioVex shareholders. The remaining potential milestone payments include: (i) $125 million upon the first commercial sale in the United States following receipt of marketing approval for use of the product in specified patient populations, (ii) $125 million upon achievement of an agreed level of worldwide sales within a specified period of time and (iii) up to $200 million of additional consideration of varying amounts upon achievement of certain other regulatory and sales-related milestones.
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. As a result of our quarterly review of the key assumptions, the estimated aggregate fair value of the contingent consideration obligations increased by $13 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 to a fair value of $347 million as of September 30, 2014. There was no change in the aggregate fair value of the estimated contingent consideration obligations during the three months ended September 30, 2014.
We assumed contingent consideration obligations upon the acquisition of Onyx arising from Onyx's 2009 acquisition of Proteolix, Inc. 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 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the EMA. We estimate the fair values of contingent obligations to the former shareholders of Proteolix, Inc. by using probability-adjusted discounted cash flows. During the three months ended September 30, 2014, we reduced the estimated probability of receiving marketing approval from the EMA by the date required to obligate us to make the associated milestone payment, although our assessment of the probability of receiving marketing approval from the EMA did not change. Accordingly, the estimated aggregate fair value of the contingent consideration obligations decreased by $62 million and $60 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, to a fair value of $201 million as of September 30, 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 nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, of assets and liabilities that are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis, except as disclosed in Note 2, Restructuring.
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 September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, the aggregate fair values of our long-term debt were $35.3 billion and $33.5 billion, respectively, and the carrying values were $33.0 billion and $32.1 billion, respectively.

Derivative_instruments

Derivative instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, we had open foreign currency forward contracts with notional amounts of $3.8 billion and $4.0 billion, respectively, and open foreign currency option contracts with notional amounts of $261 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								Nine months ended
					September 30,								September 30,
	Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships				2014				2013				2014				2013
	Foreign currency contracts				$	291			$	(137	)		$	291			$	(16	)
	Cross-currency swap contracts				(104		)		163				(79		)		70
	Total				$	187			$	26			$	212			$	54
	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								Nine months ended
				September 30,								September 30,
	Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships	Statements of Income location		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Foreign currency contracts	Product sales		$	5			$	6			$	5			$	9
	Cross-currency swap contracts	Interest and other income, net		(179		)		153				(117		)		25
	Forward interest rate contracts	Interest expense, net		(1		)		—				(1		)		(1		)
	Total			$	(175	)		$	159			$	(113	)		$	33
	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 and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. As of September 30, 2014, the amounts expected to be reclassified out of AOCI into earnings over the next 12 months are approximately $91 million of net gains 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%. During the three months ended June 30, 2014, we entered into interest rate swap contracts with an aggregate notional amount of $2.25 billion with respect to our 1.25% 2017 Notes and our 2.20% 2019 Notes. The contracts have rates that range from three-month LIBOR plus 0.4% to three-month LIBOR plus 0.6%.
	For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges, the unrealized gain or loss on the derivative resulting from the change in fair value during the period as well as the offsetting unrealized loss or gain of the hedged item resulting from the change in fair value during the period attributable to the hedged risk is recognized in current earnings. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, we included the unrealized gains on the hedged debt of $36 million and the unrealized losses of $89 million, respectively, in the same line item, Interest expense, net, in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, as the offsetting unrealized losses of $36 million and unrealized gains of $89 million, respectively, on the related interest rate swap agreements. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, we included the unrealized losses on the hedged debt of $7 million and gains of $84 million, respectively, in the same line item, Interest expense, net, in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, as the offsetting unrealized gains of $7 million and losses of $84 million, respectively, on the related interest rate swap 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 September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, the total notional amounts of these foreign currency forward contracts were $1.0 billion and $999 million, respectively.
	The location in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and the amount of gain recognized in earnings for our derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments were as follows (in millions):
				Three months ended								Nine months ended
				September 30,								September 30,
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	Statements of Income location		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Foreign currency contracts	Interest and other income, net		$	25			$	15			$	13			$	10
	The fair values of derivatives included in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows (in millions):
		Derivative assets						Derivative liabilities
	30-Sep-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		$	120			Accrued liabilities/ Other noncurrent liabilities		$	8
	Foreign currency contracts	Other current assets/ Other noncurrent assets		225				Accrued liabilities/ Other noncurrent liabilities		—
	Interest rate swap contracts	Other current assets/ Other noncurrent assets		18				Accrued liabilities/ Other noncurrent liabilities		90
	Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments			363						98
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency contracts	Other current assets		3				Accrued liabilities		3
	Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments			3						3
	Total derivatives			$	366					$	101
		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 September 30, 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 derivative contracts for the nine months ended September 30, 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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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, and Note 12, Contingencies and commitments to our condensed consolidated financial statements in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2014 and June 30, 2014, for further discussion of certain of our legal proceedings and other matters.
	We record accruals for loss contingencies to the extent that we conclude that it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the related loss can be reasonably estimated. We evaluate, on a quarterly basis, developments in legal proceedings and other matters that could cause an increase or decrease in the amount of the liability that has been accrued previously.
	Our legal proceedings range from cases brought by a single plaintiff to class actions with thousands of putative class members. These legal proceedings, as well as other matters, involve various aspects of our business and a variety of claims—including but not limited to patent infringement, marketing, pricing and trade practices and securities law—some of which present novel factual allegations and/or unique legal theories. In each of the matters described in this filing, in Note 18, Contingencies and commitments, to our consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, or in Note 12, Contingencies and commitments, to our condensed consolidated financial statements in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2014 and June 30, 2014, 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:
	Sanofi/Regeneron Patent Litigation
	On October 17, 2014, Amgen filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court of Delaware against Sanofi, Aventisub LLC, formerly doing business as Aventis Pharmaceuticals Inc. (collectively Sanofi), and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Regeneron) for patent infringement of U.S. Patent Nos. 8,563,698, 8,829,165 and 8,859,741. On October 28, 2014, Amgen filed a second, related patent infringement lawsuit in the same court against Sanofi and Regeneron on newly issued U.S. Patent Nos. 8,871,913 and 8,871,914. These five patents, which are owned by Amgen, describe and claim monoclonal antibodies to proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). By its complaints, Amgen seeks an injunction to prevent the infringing manufacture, use and sale of Sanofi and Regeneron's alirocumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting PCSK9.
	Sandoz Filgrastim Litigation
	On October 24, 2014, Amgen Inc. and Amgen Manufacturing, Limited (collectively Amgen) filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against Sandoz, Inc., Sandoz International GMBH and Sandoz GMBH (collectively Sandoz) for unfair competition under California Business & Professions Code § 17200, conversion under California common law and infringement of U.S. Patent No. 6,162,427. The lawsuit stems from Sandoz filing an application for FDA licensure of a filgrastim product as biosimilar to NEUPOGEN® (filgrastim) under the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (BPCIA), while having deliberately failed to comply with the BPCIA’s disclosure requirement to Amgen as the reference product sponsor. By its complaint, Amgen seeks, amongst other remedies, an injunction to cease Sandoz’s unauthorized reliance on Amgen’s biological license for filgrastim, including an order compelling Sandoz to suspend FDA review of their application until there is restitution for its non-compliance with the BPCIA, an injunction to prevent Sandoz from commercially marketing the biosimilar product until Amgen is restored to the position it would have been in had Sandoz met their obligations under the BPCIA and an injunction to prevent Sandoz from infringing, or inducing any infringing use of, filgrastim.
	ERISA Litigation
	As previously disclosed, on June 30, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court remanded this Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) class action case to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (the Ninth Circuit Court) for reconsideration in light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision in Fifth Third Bancorp v. Dudenhoeffer.  In Fifth Third, the U.S. Supreme Court held that no presumption of prudence exists for employee stock ownership plan fiduciaries regardless of plan language and the Court provided general guidance as to what factors courts should consider when assessing whether plan fiduciaries breached their duty of prudence owed to plan participants. On July 8, 2014, the Ninth Circuit Court ordered the parties to submit letter briefs addressing the impact of Fifth Third. Amgen has submitted a letter brief arguing that the case should now be remanded back to the district court in order that the district court may apply the new pleading standards set forth in Fifth Third. The plaintiffs’ brief asks the Ninth Circuit Court to reaffirm its earlier opinion in the case and sustain the existing complaint.

Summary_of_significant_account1

Summary of significant accounting policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 and nine months ended September 30, 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 and in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2014, and June 30, 2014.
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 $7.4 billion and $6.9 billion as of September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, respectively.
Restricted investments	'
	Restricted investments
	As of December 31, 2013, we had restricted investments on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet that were owned by ATL Holdings Limited (ATL Holdings), a wholly-owned subsidiary. ATL Holdings was an entity distinct from the Company and its other subsidiaries, with separate assets and liabilities. Because certain third parties owned Class A preferred shares of ATL Holdings, this entity was required to hold restricted investments, which were composed of interest-bearing securities, cash and related interest receivable as of December 31, 2013. On May 22, 2014, the Company repurchased all of the outstanding Class A preferred shares, and therefore, there were no remaining restricted investments on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2014. See Note 9, Financing arrangements.
Branded prescription drug fee	'
	Branded prescription drug fee
	During the three months ended September 30, 2014, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued final regulations for the branded prescription drug (BPD) fee, an annual non-tax deductible fee imposed on certain companies engaged in the business of manufacturing or importing branded prescription drugs enacted under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The final regulations accelerated the expense recognition criteria for the fee obligation by one year, from the year in which the fee is paid to the year in which the sales used to calculate the fee occur. As a result, our Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2014, will include both the estimated BPD fee imposed and paid in 2014 and an estimated BPD fee to be imposed and paid in 2015. Pursuant to the issuance of these final regulations, we recognized an additional $145 million in Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense during the three months ended September 30, 2014, for: (i) the accrual of the estimated fee to be imposed and paid in 2015 related to sales which will be used to calculate the fee that occurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, and (ii) the derecognition of the remaining deferred charge related to the fee imposed and paid in 2014 recorded under the method of accounting previously used for recognition of the BPD fee under the IRS temporary regulations.
Recent accounting pronouncements	'
	Recent accounting pronouncements
	In May 2014, a new accounting standard was issued that amends the guidance for the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers to transfer goods and services. This new standard will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning January 1, 2017, is required to be adopted retrospectively and early adoption is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact that this new standard will have on our financial statements.

Restructuring_Tables

Restructuring (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Summary of restructuring plan charges by type of activity	'
	The following table summarizes the charges recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2014, related to the restructuring plan by type of activity (in millions):
		Separation Costs		Asset Impairments			Accelerated Depreciation			Other		Total
	Cost of sales	$	—	$	17		$	11		$	—	$	28
	Research and development	—		—			15			—		15
	Selling, general and administrative	—		—			3			—		3
	Other	323		—			—			7		330
	Total	$	323	$	17		$	29		$	7	$	376
Restructuring reserve roll forward	'
	The following table summarizes the expense and payments regarding liabilities related to the restructuring plan (in millions):
		Separation Costs		Other			Total
	Restructuring liabilities as of June 30, 2014	$	—	$	—		$	—
	Expense	309		3			312
	Payments	—		(1		)	(1		)
	Restructuring liabilities as of September 30, 2014	$	309	$	2		$	311

Business_combinations_Tables

Business combinations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 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)	1,180
	Finite-lived intangible assets - Developed product technology rights	6,190
	Finite-lived intangible assets - Licensing rights	2,792
	Goodwill	2,402
	Convertible debt	(742		)
	Assumed contingent consideration	(261		)
	Deferred income taxes, net	(3,011		)
	Other assets (liabilities), net	141
	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)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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				Nine months ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Income (Numerator):
	Net income for basic and diluted EPS	$	1,244	$	1,368	$	3,864	$	4,060
	Shares (Denominator):
	Weighted-average shares for basic EPS	761		754		758		752
	Effect of dilutive securities	10		12		11		12
	Weighted-average shares for diluted EPS	771		766		769		764
	Basic EPS	$	1.63	$	1.81	$	5.1	$	5.4
	Diluted EPS	$	1.61	$	1.79	$	5.02	$	5.31

Availableforsale_investments_T

Available-for-sale investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30, 2014	Amortized		Gross			Gross			Estimated
		cost		unrealized			unrealized			fair
				gains			losses			value
	U.S. Treasury securities	$	3,577	$	4		$	(9	)	$	3,572
	Other government-related debt securities:
	U.S.	996		1			(5		)	992
	Foreign and other	1,553		18			(15		)	1,556
	Corporate debt securities:
	Financial	5,918		18			(26		)	5,910
	Industrial	6,043		22			(56		)	6,009
	Other	631		3			(4		)	630
	Residential mortgage-backed securities	1,838		3			(14		)	1,827
	Other mortgage- and asset-backed securities	2,101		—			(62		)	2,039
	Money market mutual funds	2,386		—			—			2,386
	Other short-term interest-bearing securities	2,661		—			—			2,661
	Total interest-bearing securities	27,704		69			(191		)	27,582
	Equity securities	88		8			(8		)	88
	Total available-for-sale investments	$	27,792	$	77		$	(199	)	$	27,670
	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	September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	3,184	$	3,266
	Marketable securities	24,398		15,596
	Other assets — noncurrent	88		95
	Restricted investments	—		3,406
	Total available-for-sale investments	$	27,670	$	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	September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Maturing in one year or less	$	5,101	$	6,799
	Maturing after one year through three years	2,569		4,785
	Maturing after three years through five years	9,296		6,057
	Maturing after five years through ten years	6,299		1,656
	Maturing after ten years	451		—
	Mortgage- and asset-backed securities	3,866		2,971
	Total interest-bearing securities	$	27,582	$	22,268
Available-for-sale securities, fair value and unrealized losses	'
	The unrealized losses on available-for-sale investments and their related fair values were as follows (in millions):
		Less than 12 months					12 months or greater
	Type of security as of September 30, 2014	Fair value		Unrealized losses			Fair value			Unrealized losses
	U.S. Treasury securities	$	2,131	$	(7	)	$	310		$	(2	)
	Other government-related debt securities:
	U.S.	380		(1		)	296			(4		)
	Foreign and other	429		(6		)	232			(9		)
	Corporate debt securities:
	Financial	3,555		(24		)	184			(2		)
	Industrial	3,846		(53		)	240			(3		)
	Other	358		(4		)	7			—
	Residential mortgage-backed securities	739		(4		)	447			(10		)
	Other mortgage- and asset-backed securities	883		(11		)	841			(51		)
	Equity securities	24		(8		)	—			—
	Total	$	12,345	$	(118	)	$	2,557		$	(81	)
		Less than 12 months					12 months or greater
	Type of security as of December 31, 2013	Fair value		Unrealized losses			Fair value			Unrealized losses
	U.S. Treasury securities	$	2,362	$	(9	)	$	—		$	—
	Other government-related debt securities:
	U.S.	789		(8		)	—			—
	Foreign and other	986		(38		)	39			(3		)
	Corporate debt securities:
	Financial	1,781		(19		)	—			—
	Industrial	1,543		(21		)	1			—
	Other	182		(2		)	—			—
	Residential mortgage-backed securities	794		(14		)	257			(7		)
	Other mortgage- and asset-backed securities	982		(29		)	313			(16		)
	Total	$	9,419	$	(140	)	$	610		$	(26	)

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	Inventories consisted of the following (in millions):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Raw materials	$	207	$	217
	Work in process	1,690		2,064
	Finished goods	988		738
	Total inventories	$	2,885	$	3,019

Goodwill_and_other_intangible_1

Goodwill and other intangible assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of goodwill	'
	The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill were as follows (in millions):
		Nine months ended September 30,
		2014			2013
	Beginning balance	$	14,968		$	12,662
	Goodwill related to acquisitions of businesses(1)	(114		)	(48		)
	Currency translation adjustments	(39		)	(42		)
	Ending balance	$	14,815		$	12,572
	(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.
Schedule of identifiable intangible assets	'
	Identifiable intangible assets consisted of the following (in millions):
		September 30, 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		$	(3,953	)	$	6,468	$	10,130	$	(3,347	)	$	6,783
	Licensing rights	3,237			(618		)	2,619		3,241		(366		)	2,875
	R&D technology rights	1,183			(552		)	631		1,207		(496		)	711
	Marketing-related rights	1,241			(475		)	766		619		(366		)	253
	Total finite-lived intangible assets	16,082			(5,598		)	10,484		15,197		(4,575		)	10,622
	Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
	IPR&D	2,616			—			2,616		2,640		—			2,640
	Total identifiable intangible assets	$	18,698		$	(5,598	)	$	13,100	$	17,837	$	(4,575	)	$	13,262

Financing_arrangements_Tables

Financing arrangements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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):
		September 30,			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)	1,000			999
	Floating Rate Notes due 2017	600			—
	1.25% notes due 2017 (1.25% 2017 Notes)	849			—
	2.125% notes due 2017 (2.125% 2017 Notes)	1,249			1,248
	5.85% notes due 2017 (5.85% 2017 Notes)	1,100			1,099
	6.15% notes due 2018 (6.15% 2018 Notes)	500			500
	Master Repurchase Agreement obligation due 2018	—			3,100
	Term Loan due 2018	4,500			4,875
	4.375% euro-denominated notes due 2018 (4.375% 2018 euro Notes)	699			751
	Floating Rate Notes due 2019	250			—
	2.20% notes due 2019 (2.20% 2019 Notes)	1,397			—
	5.70% notes due 2019 (5.70% 2019 Notes)	999			999
	2.125% euro-denominated notes due 2019 (2.125% 2019 euro Notes)	850			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)	1,747			1,746
	3.625% notes due 2022 (3.625% 2022 Notes)	747			747
	3.625% notes due 2024 (3.625% 2024 Notes)	1,398			—
	5.50% pound-sterling-denominated notes due 2026 (5.50% 2026 pound sterling Notes)	765			781
	4.00% pound-sterling-denominated notes due 2029 (4.00% 2029 pound sterling Notes)	1,120			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)	1,245			1,244
	5.375% notes due 2043 (5.375% 2043 Notes)	1,000			1,000
	Other notes	100			105
	Total debt	32,980			32,128
	Less current portion	(2,500		)	(2,505		)
	Total noncurrent debt	$	30,480		$	29,623

Stockholders_equity_Tables

Stockholders' equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	9				—				—			—			9
	Unrealized gains	—				8				73			—			81
	Reclassification adjustments to income	—				(48		)		(40		)	—			(88		)
	Income taxes	(2		)		15				(12		)	—			1
	Balance as of June 30, 2014	$	(69	)		$	(56	)		$	18		$	(16	)	$	(123	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	(135		)		—				—			—			(135		)
	Unrealized gains (losses)	—				187				(161		)	9			35
	Reclassification adjustments to income	—				175				11			—			186
	Income taxes	11				(134		)		56			—			(67		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	(193	)		$	172			$	(76	)	$	(7	)	$	(104	)
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income	'
	The reclassifications out of AOCI to earnings were as follows (in millions):
			Amounts reclassified out of AOCI
	Components of AOCI		Three months ended September 30, 2014				Three months ended September 30, 2013				Line item affected in the Statements of Income
	Cash flow hedges:
	Foreign currency contract gains		$	5			$	6			Product sales
	Cross-currency swap contract (losses) gains		(179		)		153				Interest and other income, net
	Forward interest rate contract losses		(1		)		—				Interest expense, net
			(175		)		159				Total before income tax
			64				(59		)		Tax benefit/(expense)
			$	(111	)		$	100			Net of taxes
	Available-for-sale securities:
	Net realized losses		$	(11	)		$	(2	)		Interest and other income, net
			4				1				Tax benefit
			$	(7	)		$	(1	)		Net of taxes
			Amounts reclassified out of AOCI
	Components of AOCI		Nine months ended September 30, 2014				Nine months ended September 30, 2013				Line item affected in the Statements of Income
	Cash flow hedges:
	Foreign currency contract gains		$	5			$	9			Product sales
	Cross-currency swap contract (losses) gains		(117		)		25				Interest and other income, net
	Forward interest rate contract losses		(1		)		(1		)		Interest expense, net
			(113		)		33				Total before income tax
			41				(13		)		Tax benefit/(expense)
			$	(72	)		$	20			Net of taxes
	Available-for-sale securities:
	Net realized gains		$	31			$	72			Interest and other income, net
			(12		)		(27		)		Tax expense
			$	19			$	45			Net of taxes

Fair_value_measurement_Tables

Fair value measurement (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair value of each major class of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'
	The fair value of each major class of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis was as follows (in millions):
			Quoted prices in			Significant			Significant
			active markets for			other observable			unobservable
	Fair value measurement		identical assets			inputs			inputs
	as of September 30, 2014, using:		(Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)			Total
	Assets:
	Available-for-sale investments:
	U.S. Treasury securities		$	3,572		$	—		$	—		$	3,572
	Other government-related debt securities:
	U.S.		—			992			—			992
	Foreign and other		—			1,556			—			1,556
	Corporate debt securities:
	Financial		—			5,910			—			5,910
	Industrial		—			6,009			—			6,009
	Other		—			630			—			630
	Residential mortgage-backed securities		—			1,827			—			1,827
	Other mortgage- and asset-backed securities		—			2,039			—			2,039
	Money market mutual funds		2,386			—			—			2,386
	Other short-term interest-bearing securities		—			2,661			—			2,661
	Equity securities		88			—			—			88
	Derivatives:
	Foreign currency contracts		—			228			—			228
	Cross-currency swap contracts		—			120			—			120
	Interest rate swap contracts		—			18			—			18
	Total assets		$	6,046		$	21,990		$	—		$	28,036
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives:
	Foreign currency contracts		$	—		$	3		$	—		$	3
	Cross-currency swap contracts		—			8			—			8
	Interest rate swap contracts		—			90			—			90
	Contingent consideration obligations in connection with business combinations		—			—			548			548
	Total liabilities		$	—		$	101		$	548		$	649
			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
Changes in carrying amounts of contingent consideration obligations	'
	The changes in carrying amounts of contingent consideration obligations were as follows (in millions):
		Three months ended						Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Beginning balance	$	610		$	332		$	595		$	221
	Net changes in valuation	(62		)	—			(47		)	111
	Ending balance	$	548		$	332		$	548		$	332

Derivative_instruments_Tables

Derivative instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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								Nine months ended
					September 30,								September 30,
	Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships				2014				2013				2014				2013
	Foreign currency contracts				$	291			$	(137	)		$	291			$	(16	)
	Cross-currency swap contracts				(104		)		163				(79		)		70
	Total				$	187			$	26			$	212			$	54
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								Nine months ended
				September 30,								September 30,
	Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships	Statements of Income location		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Foreign currency contracts	Product sales		$	5			$	6			$	5			$	9
	Cross-currency swap contracts	Interest and other income, net		(179		)		153				(117		)		25
	Forward interest rate contracts	Interest expense, net		(1		)		—				(1		)		(1		)
	Total			$	(175	)		$	159			$	(113	)		$	33
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 recognized in earnings for our derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments were as follows (in millions):
				Three months ended								Nine months ended
				September 30,								September 30,
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	Statements of Income location		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Foreign currency contracts	Interest and other income, net		$	25			$	15			$	13			$	10
Fair values of derivatives included in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets	'
	The fair values of derivatives included in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows (in millions):
		Derivative assets						Derivative liabilities
	30-Sep-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		$	120			Accrued liabilities/ Other noncurrent liabilities		$	8
	Foreign currency contracts	Other current assets/ Other noncurrent assets		225				Accrued liabilities/ Other noncurrent liabilities		—
	Interest rate swap contracts	Other current assets/ Other noncurrent assets		18				Accrued liabilities/ Other noncurrent liabilities		90
	Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments			363						98
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency contracts	Other current assets		3				Accrued liabilities		3
	Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments			3						3
	Total derivatives			$	366					$	101
		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 $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014
			Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Additional branded prescription drug fee expense	'	'	$145,000,000
Accumulated depreciation and amortization on property, plant and equipment	$7,400,000,000	$6,900,000,000	'

Restructuring_Details_Textual

Restructuring (Details Textual) (USD $)	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	2 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	2 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jul. 29, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jul. 29, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
			Minimum [Member]	Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]	Maximum [Member]
			staff	staff	staff	staff
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Reduction in the number of staff by end of 2015	'	'	2,400	3,500	2,900	4,000
Expected pre-tax accounting charges	'	'	'	$935	'	$1,035
Separation costs	'	'	'	535	'	585
Accelerated depreciation and asset impairment and other related charges	'	'	'	400	'	450
Expected cash outlay percentage of total charges	55.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring costs	'	$376	'	'	'	'

Restructuring_Details

Restructuring (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Separation Costs	$323
Asset Impairments	17
Accelerated Depreciation	29
Other	7
Total	376
Cost of Sales [Member]	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Separation Costs	0
Asset Impairments	17
Accelerated Depreciation	11
Other	0
Total	28
Research and Development [Member]	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Separation Costs	0
Asset Impairments	0
Accelerated Depreciation	15
Other	0
Total	15
Selling, General and Administrative [Member]	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Separation Costs	0
Asset Impairments	0
Accelerated Depreciation	3
Other	0
Total	3
Other [Member]	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Separation Costs	323
Asset Impairments	0
Accelerated Depreciation	0
Other	7
Total	$330

Restructuring_Details_1

Restructuring (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Restructuring Liabilities [Roll Forward]	'
Restructuring liabilities as of beginning of period	$0
Expense	312
Payments	-1
Restructuring liabilities as of end of period	311
Separation Costs [Member]	'
Restructuring Liabilities [Roll Forward]	'
Restructuring liabilities as of beginning of period	0
Expense	309
Payments	0
Restructuring liabilities as of end of period	309
Other [Member]	'
Restructuring Liabilities [Roll Forward]	'
Restructuring liabilities as of beginning of period	0
Expense	3
Payments	-1
Restructuring liabilities as of end of period	$2

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 $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	$14,815	$14,968	$12,572	$12,662
Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [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)	1,180	'	'	'
Goodwill	2,402	'	'	'
Convertible debt	-742	'	'	'
Assumed contingent consideration	-261	'	'	'
Deferred income taxes, net	-3,011	'	'	'
Other assets (liabilities), net	141	'	'	'
Total consideration	9,517	'	'	'
Product Rights [Member]	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	'	3	'	'
Other assets	'	21	'	'
Total consideration	'	398	'	'
Marketing-Related Rights [Member] | Product Rights [Member]	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Finite-lived intangible assets	'	363	'	'
Developed Product Technology Rights [Member] | Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [Member]	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Finite-lived intangible assets	6,190	'	'	'
Developed Product Technology Rights [Member] | Product Rights [Member]	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Finite-lived intangible assets	'	11	'	'
Licensing Rights [Member] | Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [Member]	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Finite-lived intangible assets	$2,792	'	'	'

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 $)

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 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

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash payments

'

'

$9,517

$9,517

'

'

'

'

'

$9,186

$331

'

'

'

'

Share-based compensation expense

'

'

'

'

'

197

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reduction in goodwill

114

[1]

48

[1]

'

'

124

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Increase in developed product technology rights

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

280

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Increase in deferred income taxes

'

'

'

'

93

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

Total consideration transferred or to be transferred

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

497

'

'

'

Fair value of contract terminated

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$99

$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		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income taxes (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Effective income tax rate	7.00%	9.00%	10.10%	4.50%
Effective tax rate for the period excluding the impact of the tax credits associated with the new Puerto Rico excise tax	12.50%	13.80%	15.00%	9.80%
Increase in gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits for period	$90	'	$255	'
Decrease in unrecognized tax benefits that is reasonably possible within the succeeding 12 months due to resolution of federal and state audits	$70	'	$70	'
Puerto Rico Excise Tax [Member]	'	'	'	'
Puerto Rico Excise Tax Rate [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
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		9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income (Numerator):	'	'	'	'
Net income for basic and diluted EPS	$1,244	$1,368	$3,864	$4,060
Shares (Denominator):	'	'	'	'
Weighted-average shares for basic EPS	761	754	758	752
Effect of dilutive securities	10	12	11	12
Weighted-average shares for diluted EPS	771	766	769	764
Basic EPS (in usd per share)	$1.63	$1.81	$5.10	$5.40
Diluted EPS (in usd per share)	$1.61	$1.79	$5.02	$5.31

Availableforsale_investments_D

Available-for-sale investments (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 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	$27,792	$22,432
Gross unrealized gains	77	97
Gross unrealized losses	-199	-166
Estimated fair value	27,670	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	3,577	4,737
Gross unrealized gains	4	2
Gross unrealized losses	-9	-9
Estimated fair value	3,572	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	996	1,087
Gross unrealized gains	1	0
Gross unrealized losses	-5	-8
Estimated fair value	992	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	1,553	1,574
Gross unrealized gains	18	13
Gross unrealized losses	-15	-41
Estimated fair value	1,556	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	5,918	3,667
Gross unrealized gains	18	28
Gross unrealized losses	-26	-19
Estimated fair value	5,910	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	6,043	3,745
Gross unrealized gains	22	36
Gross unrealized losses	-56	-21
Estimated fair value	6,009	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	631	388
Gross unrealized gains	3	4
Gross unrealized losses	-4	-2
Estimated fair value	630	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	1,838	1,478
Gross unrealized gains	3	3
Gross unrealized losses	-14	-21
Estimated fair value	1,827	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	2,101	1,555
Gross unrealized gains	0	1
Gross unrealized losses	-62	-45
Estimated fair value	2,039	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	2,386	3,366
Gross unrealized gains	0	0
Gross unrealized losses	0	0
Estimated fair value	2,386	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	2,661	750
Gross unrealized gains	0	0
Gross unrealized losses	0	0
Estimated fair value	2,661	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	27,704	22,347
Gross unrealized gains	69	87
Gross unrealized losses	-191	-166
Estimated fair value	27,582	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	88	85
Gross unrealized gains	8	10
Gross unrealized losses	-8	0
Estimated fair value	$88	$95

Availableforsale_investments_D1

Available-for-sale investments (Details 1) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 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	$3,677	$3,805	$8,281	$3,257
Marketable securities	24,398	15,596	'	'
Other assets — noncurrent	1,545	1,767	'	'
Restricted investments	0	3,412	'	'
Total available-for-sale investments	27,670	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	3,184	3,266	'	'
Other assets — noncurrent	88	95	'	'
Available-for-sale investments [Member] | ATL Holdings [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair values of available-for-sale investments by classification in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	'	'	'	'
Restricted investments	$0	$3,406	'	'

Availableforsale_investments_D2

Available-for-sale investments (Details 2) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 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	$5,101	$6,799
Maturing after one year through three years	2,569	4,785
Maturing after three years through five years	9,296	6,057
Maturing after five years through ten years	6,299	1,656
Maturing after ten years	451	0
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities	3,866	2,971
Total available-for-sale investments	27,670	22,363
Total interest-bearing securities [Member]	'	'
Fair values of available-for-sale debt security investments by contractual maturity	'	'
Total available-for-sale investments	$27,582	$22,268

Availableforsale_investments_A

Available-for-sale investments Available-for-sale investments (Details 3) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Less than 12 months, Fair value	$12,345	$9,419
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	-118	-140
12 months or greater, Fair value	2,557	610
12 months or greater, Unrealized losses	-81	-26
U.S. Treasury securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Less than 12 months, Fair value	2,131	2,362
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	-7	-9
12 months or greater, Fair value	310	0
12 months or greater, Unrealized losses	-2	0
Other government-related debt securities - U.S. [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Less than 12 months, Fair value	380	789
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	-1	-8
12 months or greater, Fair value	296	0
12 months or greater, Unrealized losses	-4	0
Other government-related debt securities - Foreign and other [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Less than 12 months, Fair value	429	986
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	-6	-38
12 months or greater, Fair value	232	39
12 months or greater, Unrealized losses	-9	-3
Corporate debt securities - Financial [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Less than 12 months, Fair value	3,555	1,781
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	-24	-19
12 months or greater, Fair value	184	0
12 months or greater, Unrealized losses	-2	0
Corporate debt securities - Industrial [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Less than 12 months, Fair value	3,846	1,543
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	-53	-21
12 months or greater, Fair value	240	1
12 months or greater, Unrealized losses	-3	0
Corporate debt securities - Other [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Less than 12 months, Fair value	358	182
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	-4	-2
12 months or greater, Fair value	7	0
12 months or greater, Unrealized losses	0	0
Residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Less than 12 months, Fair value	739	794
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	-4	-14
12 months or greater, Fair value	447	257
12 months or greater, Unrealized losses	-10	-7
Other mortgage- and asset-backed securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Less than 12 months, Fair value	883	982
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	-11	-29
12 months or greater, Fair value	841	313
12 months or greater, Unrealized losses	-51	-16
Equity securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Less than 12 months, Fair value	24	'
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	-8	'
12 months or greater, Fair value	0	'
12 months or greater, Unrealized losses	$0	'

Availableforsale_investments_D3

Available-for-sale investments (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
					ATL Holdings [Member]	Available-for-sale investments [Member]	Available-for-sale investments [Member]
Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest receivable	'	'	'	'	$6	'	'
Available-for-sale investments (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cash	'	'	'	'	'	493	539
Total realized gains	17	24	102	142	'	'	'
Total realized losses	$28	$26	$71	$70	'	'	'

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Inventories	'	'
Raw materials	$207	$217
Work in process	1,690	2,064
Finished goods	988	738
Total inventories	$2,885	$3,019

Goodwill_and_other_intangible_2

Goodwill and other intangible assets (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'		'
Beginning balance	$14,968		$12,662
Goodwill related acquisitions of businesses	-114	[1]	-48	[1]
Currency translation adjustments	-39		-42
Ending balance	$14,815		$12,572
[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 $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Total gross carrying amount	$18,698	$17,837
Total accumulated amortization	-5,598	-4,575
Total intangible assets, net	13,100	13,262
Finite-lived intangible assets:	'	'
Gross carrying amount	16,082	15,197
Accumulated amortization	-5,598	-4,575
Intangible assets, net	10,484	10,622
IPR&D [Member]	'	'
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:	'	'
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	2,616	2,640
Developed Product Technology Rights [Member]	'	'
Finite-lived intangible assets:	'	'
Gross carrying amount	10,421	10,130
Accumulated amortization	-3,953	-3,347
Intangible assets, net	6,468	6,783
Licensing Rights [Member]	'	'
Finite-lived intangible assets:	'	'
Gross carrying amount	3,237	3,241
Accumulated amortization	-618	-366
Intangible assets, net	2,619	2,875
R&D Technology Rights [Member]	'	'
Finite-lived intangible assets:	'	'
Gross carrying amount	1,183	1,207
Accumulated amortization	-552	-496
Intangible assets, net	631	711
Marketing-related Rights [Member]	'	'
Finite-lived intangible assets:	'	'
Gross carrying amount	1,241	619
Accumulated amortization	-475	-366
Intangible assets, net	$766	$253

Goodwill_and_other_intangible_4

Goodwill and other intangible assets (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amortization charges associated with finite-lived intangible assets	$339,000,000	$117,000,000	$1,037,000,000	$353,000,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Total estimated amortization of finite- lived intangible assets for the three months ended 2014	334,000,000	'	334,000,000	'
Total estimated amortization of finite- lived intangible assets for 2015	1,300,000,000	'	1,300,000,000	'
Total estimated amortization of finite- lived intangible assets for 2016	1,300,000,000	'	1,300,000,000	'
Total estimated amortization of finite- lived intangible assets for 2017	1,200,000,000	'	1,200,000,000	'
Total estimated amortization of finite- lived intangible assets for 2018	996,000,000	'	996,000,000	'
Total estimated amortization of finite- lived intangible assets for 2019	922,000,000	'	922,000,000	'
Glaxo Group Limited [Member]	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amount of payments to be made in exchange for the early termination of the Collaboration Agreement	$275,000,000	'	$275,000,000	'

Financing_arrangements_Details

Financing arrangements (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	31-May-14	Dec. 31, 2013
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'	'	'
Other notes	$100,000,000	'	'	$105,000,000
Total debt	32,980,000,000	'	'	32,128,000,000
Less current portion	-2,500,000,000	'	'	-2,505,000,000
Total noncurrent debt	30,480,000,000	'	'	29,623,000,000
Repayment of debt	3,480,000,000	2,500,000,000	'	'
Debt issuance	'	'	4,500,000,000	'
Interest Expense, Net [Member]	'	'	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'	'	'
Debt issuance cost to be amortized	18,000,000	'	'	'
1.875% notes due 2014 (1.875% 2014 Notes) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'	'	'
Notes payable, current	1,000,000,000	'	'	1,000,000,000
Interest rate, stated percentage	1.88%	'	'	1.88%
4.85% notes due 2014 (4.85% 2014 Notes) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'	'	'
Notes payable, current	1,000,000,000	'	'	1,000,000,000
Interest rate, stated percentage	4.85%	'	'	4.85%
2.30% notes due 2016 (2.30% 2016 Notes) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'	'	'
Notes payable, noncurrent	749,000,000	'	'	749,000,000
Interest rate, stated percentage	2.30%	'	'	2.30%
2.50% notes due 2016 (2.50% 2016 Notes) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'	'	'
Notes payable, noncurrent	1,000,000,000	'	'	999,000,000
Interest rate, stated percentage	2.50%	'	'	2.50%
Floating Rate Notes due 2017 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'	'	'
Notes payable, noncurrent	600,000,000	'	'	0
Redemption price, percentage	101.00%	'	'	'
Floating Rate Notes due 2017 [Member] | LIBOR [Member]	'	'	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'	'	'
Basis spread on variable rate	0.38%	'	'	'
1.25% notes due 2017 (1.25% 2017 Notes) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'	'	'
Notes payable, noncurrent	849,000,000	'	'	0
Interest rate, stated percentage	1.25%	'	'	'
Redemption price, percentage	101.00%	'	'	'
2.125% notes due 2017 (2.125% 2017 Notes) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'	'	'
Notes payable, noncurrent	1,249,000,000	'	'	1,248,000,000
Interest rate, stated percentage	2.13%	'	'	2.13%
5.85% notes due 2017 (5.85% 2017 Notes) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'	'	'
Notes payable, noncurrent	1,100,000,000	'	'	1,099,000,000
Interest rate, stated percentage	5.85%	'	'	5.85%
6.15% notes due 2018 (6.15% 2018 Notes) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'	'	'
Notes payable, noncurrent	500,000,000	'	'	500,000,000
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	0	'	'	3,100,000,000
Repayment of debt	3,100,000,000	'	'	'
Term Loan Due 2018 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'	'	'
Loans payable to bank	4,500,000,000	'	'	4,875,000,000
Term Loan Credit Facility, repayment of principal	375,000,000	'	'	'
4.375% euro denominated notes due 2018 (4.375% 2018 euro Notes) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'	'	'
Notes payable, noncurrent	699,000,000	'	'	751,000,000
Interest rate, stated percentage	4.38%	'	'	4.38%
Floating Rate Notes due 2019 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'	'	'
Notes payable, noncurrent	250,000,000	'	'	0
Redemption price, percentage	101.00%	'	'	'
Floating Rate Notes due 2019 [Member] | LIBOR [Member]	'	'	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'	'	'
Basis spread on variable rate	0.60%	'	'	'
2.20% notes due 2019 (2.20% 2019 Notes) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'	'	'
Notes payable, noncurrent	1,397,000,000	'	'	0
Interest rate, stated percentage	2.20%	'	'	'
Debt instrument, redemption period without payment of make whole amount	'1 month	'	'	'
Redemption price, percentage	101.00%	'	'	'
5.70% notes due 2019 (5.70% 2019 Notes) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'	'	'
Notes payable, noncurrent	999,000,000	'	'	999,000,000
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	'	'	'	'
Notes payable, noncurrent	850,000,000	'	'	925,000,000
Interest rate, stated percentage	2.13%	'	'	2.13%
4.50% notes due 2020 (4.50% 2020 Notes) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'	'	'
Notes payable, noncurrent	300,000,000	'	'	300,000,000
Interest rate, stated percentage	4.50%	'	'	4.50%
3.45% notes due 2020 (3.45% 2020 Notes) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'	'	'
Notes payable, noncurrent	898,000,000	'	'	898,000,000
Interest rate, stated percentage	3.45%	'	'	3.45%
4.10% notes due 2021 (4.10% 2021 Notes) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'	'	'
Notes payable, noncurrent	998,000,000	'	'	998,000,000
Interest rate, stated percentage	4.10%	'	'	4.10%
3.875% notes due 2021 (3.875% 2021 Notes) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'	'	'
Notes payable, noncurrent	1,747,000,000	'	'	1,746,000,000
Interest rate, stated percentage	3.88%	'	'	3.88%
3.625% notes due 2022 (3.625% 2022 Notes) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'	'	'
Notes payable, noncurrent	747,000,000	'	'	747,000,000
Interest rate, stated percentage	3.63%	'	'	3.63%
3.625% notes due 2024 (3.625% 2024 Notes) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'	'	'
Notes payable, noncurrent	1,398,000,000	'	'	0
Interest rate, stated percentage	3.63%	'	'	'
Debt instrument, redemption period without payment of make whole amount	'3 months	'	'	'
Redemption price, percentage	101.00%	'	'	'
5.50% pound sterling denominated notes due 2026 (5.50% 2026 pound sterling Notes) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'	'	'
Notes payable, noncurrent	765,000,000	'	'	781,000,000
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	'	'	'	'
Notes payable, noncurrent	1,120,000,000	'	'	1,144,000,000
Interest rate, stated percentage	4.00%	'	'	4.00%
6.375% notes due 2037 (6.375% 2037 Notes) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'	'	'
Notes payable, noncurrent	899,000,000	'	'	899,000,000
Interest rate, stated percentage	6.38%	'	'	6.38%
6.90% notes due 2038 (6.90% 2038 Notes) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'	'	'
Notes payable, noncurrent	499,000,000	'	'	499,000,000
Interest rate, stated percentage	6.90%	'	'	6.90%
6.40% notes due 2039 (6.40% 2039 Notes) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'	'	'
Notes payable, noncurrent	996,000,000	'	'	996,000,000
Interest rate, stated percentage	6.40%	'	'	6.40%
5.75% notes due 2040 (5.75% 2040 Notes) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'	'	'
Notes payable, noncurrent	697,000,000	'	'	697,000,000
Interest rate, stated percentage	5.75%	'	'	5.75%
4.95% notes due 2041 (4.95% 2041 Notes) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'	'	'
Notes payable, noncurrent	596,000,000	'	'	596,000,000
Interest rate, stated percentage	4.95%	'	'	4.95%
5.15% notes due 2041 (5.15% 2041 Notes) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'	'	'
Notes payable, noncurrent	2,233,000,000	'	'	2,233,000,000
Interest rate, stated percentage	5.15%	'	'	5.15%
5.65% notes due 2042 (5.65% 2042 Notes) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'	'	'
Notes payable, noncurrent	1,245,000,000	'	'	1,244,000,000
Interest rate, stated percentage	5.65%	'	'	5.65%
5.375% notes due 2043 (5.375% 2043 Notes) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'	'	'
Notes payable, noncurrent	1,000,000,000	'	'	1,000,000,000
Interest rate, stated percentage	5.38%	'	'	5.38%
Other notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Carrying values of long-term borrowings	'	'	'	'
Repayment of debt	$5,000,000	'	'	'

Stockholders_equity_Details_Te

Stockholders' equity (Details Textual) (USD $)	1 Months Ended						3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
In Billions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 05, 2014	Jul. 25, 2014	Jun. 06, 2014	Mar. 07, 2014	Mar. 05, 2014	Dec. 13, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 17, 2014
											Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock, dividends declared per share (in usd per share)	'	$0.61	'	'	$0.61	$0.61	'	'	'	'	$0.61
Amount available for stock repurchases under a board approved stock repurchase plan	'	'	'	'	'	'	$1.60	'	$1.60	'	$4
Shares repurchased under the stock repurchase program	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	'	'
Dividends paid per share (in usd per share)	$0.61	'	$0.61	$0.61	'	'	$0.61	$0.47	$1.83	$1.41	'

Stockholders_equity_Details_1

Stockholders' equity (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Beginning balance, Foreign currency translation	($69)	($76)	($68)
Beginning balance, Cash flow hedges	-56	-31	-33
Beginning balance, Available-for-sale securities	18	-3	-43
Beginning balance, Other	-16	-16	-17
Beginning balance, AOCI	-123	-126	-161
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax [Abstract]	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-135	9	-12
Unrealized gains (losses), Cash flow hedges	187	8	17
Unrealized gains (losses), Available-for-sale securities	-161	73	66
Unrealized gains (losses), Other	9	0	1
Unrealized gains (losses), AOCI	35	81	84
Reclassification adjustments to income, Foreign currency translation	0	0	0
Reclassification adjustments to income, Cash flow hedges	175	-48	-14
Reclassification adjustments to income, Available-for-sale securities	11	-40	-2
Reclassification adjustments to income, AOCI	186	-88	-16
Income taxes, Foreign currency translation	11	-2	4
Income taxes, Cash flow hedges	-134	15	-1
Income taxes, Available-for-sale securities	56	-12	-24
Income taxes, Other	0	0	0
Income taxes, AOCI	-67	1	-21
Ending balance, Foreign currency translation	-193	-69	-76
Ending balance, Cash flow hedges	172	-56	-31
Ending balance, Available-for-sale securities	-76	18	-3
Ending balance, Other	-7	-16	-16
Ending balance, AOCI	($104)	($123)	($126)

Stockholders_equity_Details_2

Stockholders' equity (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Product sales	$4,848	$4,647	$14,153	$13,393
Interest and other income, net	140	72	377	332
Interest expense, net	-269	-257	-810	-761
Income before income taxes	1,337	1,503	4,299	4,251
Tax benefit/(expense)	-93	-135	-435	-191
Net income	1,244	1,368	3,864	4,060
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Cash Flow Hedges [Member]	'	'	'	'
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Product sales	5	6	5	9
Interest and other income, net	-179	153	-117	25
Interest expense, net	-1	0	-1	-1
Income before income taxes	-175	159	-113	33
Tax benefit/(expense)	64	-59	41	-13
Net income	-111	100	-72	20
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Realized Gains and Losses on Available-for-sale Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Interest and other income, net	-11	-2	31	72
Tax benefit/(expense)	4	1	-12	-27
Net income	($7)	($1)	$19	$45

Fair_value_measurement_Details

Fair value measurement (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Assets:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total available-for-sale investments	$27,670	'	$22,363	'	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Assets:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest rate swap contracts	18	'	'	'	'	'
Total assets	28,036	'	22,609	'	'	'
Derivative Liabilities:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest rate swap contracts	90	'	161	'	'	'
Contingent consideration obligations in connection with business combinations	548	'	595	'	'	'
Total liabilities	649	'	867	'	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Foreign currency contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Assets:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency contracts	228	'	53	'	'	'
Derivative Liabilities:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency contracts	3	'	107	'	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Cross currency swap contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Assets:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency contracts	120	'	193	'	'	'
Derivative Liabilities:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency contracts	8	'	4	'	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | U.S. Treasury securities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total available-for-sale investments	3,572	'	4,730	'	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Other government-related debt securities - U.S. [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total available-for-sale investments	992	'	1,079	'	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Other government-related debt securities - Foreign and other [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total available-for-sale investments	1,556	'	1,546	'	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate debt securities - Financial [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total available-for-sale investments	5,910	'	3,676	'	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate debt securities - Industrial [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total available-for-sale investments	6,009	'	3,760	'	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate debt securities - Other [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total available-for-sale investments	630	'	390	'	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total available-for-sale investments	1,827	'	1,460	'	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Other mortgage- and asset-backed securities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total available-for-sale investments	2,039	'	1,511	'	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Money market mutual funds [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total available-for-sale investments	2,386	'	3,366	'	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Other short-term interest-bearing securities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total available-for-sale investments	2,661	'	750	'	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Equity securities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total available-for-sale investments	88	'	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	6,046	'	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	3,572	'	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	2,386	'	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	88	'	95	'	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Assets:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest rate swap contracts	18	'	'	'	'	'
Total assets	21,990	'	14,418	'	'	'
Derivative Liabilities:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest rate swap contracts	90	'	161	'	'	'
Contingent consideration obligations in connection with business combinations	0	'	0	'	'	'
Total liabilities	101	'	272	'	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Foreign currency contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Assets:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency contracts	228	'	53	'	'	'
Derivative Liabilities:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency contracts	3	'	107	'	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Cross currency swap contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Assets:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency contracts	120	'	193	'	'	'
Derivative Liabilities:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency contracts	8	'	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	992	'	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	1,556	'	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	5,910	'	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	6,009	'	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	630	'	390	'	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total available-for-sale investments	1,827	'	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	2,039	'	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	2,661	'	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	548	610	595	332	332	221
Total liabilities	548	'	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 $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
			Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]	Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]	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	$548,000,000	$595,000,000	$610,000,000	$332,000,000	$595,000,000	$221,000,000
Net changes in valuation	'	'	-62,000,000	0	-47,000,000	111,000,000
Ending balance	$548,000,000	$595,000,000	$548,000,000	$332,000,000	$548,000,000	$332,000,000

Fair_value_measurements_Detail

Fair value measurements (Details Textual) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

BioVex Group Inc [Member]

BioVex Group Inc [Member]

BioVex Group Inc [Member]

BioVex Group Inc [Member]

BioVex Group Inc [Member]

BioVex Group Inc [Member]

BioVex Group Inc [Member]

Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [Member]

Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [Member]

Other Government-related and Corporate Debt Securities [Member]

Due to Filing of BLA in the US [Member]

Upon First Commercial Sale in the US [Member]

Upon Achievement of Agreed Level of Worldwide Sales [Member]

Upon Achievement of Certain Other Regulatory and Sales-related Milestones [Member]

payment

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Additional contingent consideration upon achievement of milestones

'

'

'

'

'

125,000,000

125,000,000

125,000,000

200,000,000

150,000,000

150,000,000

'

Number of milestone payments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

2

'

Change in fair values of contingent consideration obligations

'

'

0

13,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

-62,000,000

-60,000,000

'

Assumed contingent consideration obligation

'

'

347,000,000

347,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

201,000,000

201,000,000

'

Fair Value Measurement (Textual) [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate fair value of long-term debt, including current portion

35,300,000,000

33,500,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Carrying value of long-term debt, including current portion

$32,980,000,000

$32,128,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative_instruments_Details

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

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 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]

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]

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]

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]

USD ($)

EUR (€)

Interest rate received [Member]

Interest rate paid [Member]

USD ($)

GBP (£)

Interest rate received [Member]

Interest rate paid [Member]

USD ($)

GBP (£)

Interest rate received [Member]

Interest rate paid [Member]

Derivative [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notional amount

$864

€ 675

'

'

$748

£ 475

'

'

$1,122

£ 700

'

'

Interest rate

'

'

2.13%

2.60%

'

'

5.50%

5.80%

'

'

4.00%

4.30%

Derivative_instruments_Details1

Derivative instruments (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 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	$187	$26	$212	$54
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	291	-137	291	-16
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	($104)	$163	($79)	$70

Derivative_instruments_Details2

Derivative instruments (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Product sales	$4,848	$4,647	$14,153	$13,393
Interest and other income, net	140	72	377	332
Interest expense, net	-269	-257	-810	-761
Income before income taxes	1,337	1,503	4,299	4,251
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	5	6	5	9
Interest and other income, net	-179	153	-117	25
Interest expense, net	-1	0	-1	-1
Income before income taxes	-175	159	-113	33
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Cash flow hedge [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Income before income taxes	-175	159	-113	33
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Cash flow hedge [Member] | Foreign currency contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Product sales	5	6	5	9
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Cash flow hedge [Member] | Cross currency swap contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Interest and other income, net	-179	153	-117	25
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Cash flow hedge [Member] | Forward interest rate contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Interest expense, net	($1)	$0	($1)	($1)

Derivative_instruments_Details3

Derivative instruments (Details 3) (Foreign currency contracts [Member], Interest and other income, net [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 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	$25	$15	$13	$10

Derivative_instruments_Details4

Derivative instruments (Details 4) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'	'
Total derivative assets, fair value	$366	$246
Liabilities	'	'
Total derivative liabilities, fair value	101	272
Derivatives designated as hedging instrument [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Total derivative assets, fair value	363	246
Liabilities	'	'
Total derivative liabilities, fair value	98	269
Derivatives not designated as hedging instrument [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Total derivative assets, fair value	3	0
Liabilities	'	'
Total derivative liabilities, fair value	3	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	120	193
Cross currency swap contracts [Member] | Accrued liabilities/Other noncurrent liabilities [Member] | Derivatives designated as hedging instrument [Member]	'	'
Liabilities	'	'
Total derivative liabilities, fair value	8	4
Foreign currency contracts [Member] | Other current assets/Other noncurrent assets [Member] | Derivatives designated as hedging instrument [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Total derivative assets, fair value	225	53
Foreign currency contracts [Member] | Other current assets [Member] | Derivatives not designated as hedging instrument [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Total derivative assets, fair value	3	0
Foreign currency contracts [Member] | Accrued liabilities/Other noncurrent liabilities [Member] | Derivatives designated as hedging instrument [Member]	'	'
Liabilities	'	'
Total derivative liabilities, fair value	0	104
Foreign currency contracts [Member] | Accrued liabilities [Member] | Derivatives not designated as hedging instrument [Member]	'	'
Liabilities	'	'
Total derivative liabilities, fair value	3	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	18	0
Interest rate swap contracts [Member] | Accrued liabilities/Other noncurrent liabilities [Member] | Derivatives designated as hedging instrument [Member]	'	'
Liabilities	'	'
Total derivative liabilities, fair value	$90	$161

Derivative_instruments_Details5

Derivative instruments (Details Textual) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Interest expense, net [Member]

Interest expense, net [Member]

Interest expense, net [Member]

Interest expense, net [Member]

Foreign currency forward contracts [Member]

Foreign currency forward contracts [Member]

Foreign currency forward contracts [Member]

Foreign currency forward contracts [Member]

Foreign currency option contracts [Member]

Foreign currency option contracts [Member]

Foreign currency and cross currency swap contracts [Member]

Forward interest rate contracts [Member]

Interest rate swap [Member]

Interest rate swap [Member]

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

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

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not 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]

LIBOR [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Length of time hedged in foreign currency contracts

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative, notional amount

'

'

'

'

'

$3,800

$4,000

$1,047

$999

$261

$516

'

'

$2,250

$4,400

'

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

91

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1

'

'

'

'

Derivative lower range variable interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.40%

1.10%

Derivative higher range variable interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.60%

2.00%

Unrealized gain (loss) on the hedged debt

'

36

-7

-89

84

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swaps

'

($36)

$7

$89

($84)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Contingencies_and_commitments_

Contingencies and commitments (Details) (Subsequent Event [Member])	0 Months Ended
	Oct. 28, 2014
	patent
Subsequent Event [Member]	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Number of patents allegedly infringed	5