Segmentation of key figures (Details 2) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
Jun. 30, 2019
Jun. 30, 2020
Jun. 30, 2019
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]        
Net sales to third parties from continuing operations $ 11,347 $ 11,764 $ 23,630 $ 22,870
Sales to continuing and discontinued segments       53
Net sales from continuing operations 11,347 11,764 23,630 22,923
Other revenues 275 260 700 556
Cost of goods sold (3,429) (3,406) (7,151) (6,657)
Gross profit from continuing operations 8,193 8,618 17,179 16,822
Selling, general and administration (3,368) (3,585) (6,854) (6,915)
Research and Development (2,441) (2,051) (4,501) (4,350)
Other income 432 989 693 1,192
Other expense (464) (1,308) (1,421) (1,844)
Operating income from continuing operations $ 2,352 $ 2,663 $ 5,096 $ 4,905
Profit (loss) from operating activities, as a percentage from net sales 20.70% 22.60% 21.60% 21.40%
Income from associated companies $ 183 $ 176 $ 306 $ 256
Interest expense (220) (205) (459) (431)
Other financial income and expense (27) 0 (34) 44
Income before taxes from continuing operations 2,288 2,634 4,909 4,774
Taxes (421) (525) (869) (797)
Net income from continuing operations 1,867 2,109 4,040 3,977
Net income/loss from discontinued operations before gain on distribution       (101)
Gain on distribution   4,691   4,691
Net income/loss from discontinued operations   4,691   4,590
Net income 1,867 6,800 4,040 8,567
Innovative Medicines        
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]        
Net sales to third parties from continuing operations 9,188 9,326 18,943 18,106
Sales to continuing and discontinued segments 219 177 409 426
Net sales from continuing operations 9,407 9,503 19,352 18,532
Other revenues 251 250 507 511
Cost of goods sold (2,554) (2,327) (5,080) (4,551)
Gross profit from continuing operations 7,104 7,426 14,779 14,492
Selling, general and administration (2,764) (2,911) (5,621) (5,564)
Research and Development (2,240) (1,853) (4,106) (3,958)
Other income 154 847 326 922
Other expense (221) (945) (590) (1,219)
Operating income from continuing operations $ 2,033 $ 2,564 $ 4,788 $ 4,673
Profit (loss) from operating activities, as a percentage from net sales 22.10% 27.50% 25.30% 25.80%
Income from associated companies $ 1 $ 1 $ 1 $ 1
Sandoz        
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]        
Net sales to third parties from continuing operations 2,159 2,438 4,687 4,764
Sales to continuing and discontinued segments 43 37 92 76
Net sales from continuing operations 2,202 2,475 4,779 4,840
Other revenues 22 6 35 34
Cost of goods sold (1,158) (1,315) (2,614) (2,591)
Gross profit from continuing operations 1,066 1,166 2,200 2,283
Selling, general and administration (496) (550) (1,016) (1,112)
Research and Development (201) (198) (395) (392)
Other income 17 45 49 82
Other expense (65) (181) (562) (306)
Operating income from continuing operations $ 321 $ 282 $ 276 $ 555
Profit (loss) from operating activities, as a percentage from net sales 14.90% 11.60% 5.90% 11.60%
Income from associated companies $ 1 $ 1 $ 1 $ 1
Corporate        
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]        
Sales to continuing and discontinued segments (262) (214) (501) (449)
Net sales from continuing operations (262) (214) (501) (449)
Other revenues 2 4 158 11
Cost of goods sold 283 236 543 485
Gross profit from continuing operations 23 26 200 47
Selling, general and administration (108) (124) (217) (239)
Other income 261 97 318 188
Other expense (178) (182) (269) (319)
Operating income from continuing operations (2) (183) 32 (323)
Income from associated companies $ 181 $ 174 $ 304 $ 254