Equity - Textual (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Shareholders Equity [Line Items]
Par value preferred stock obligation assumed in connection with the 1998 restructuring of Astra Merck Inc	$ 2,400,000,000
Preferred stock assumed with Astra Merck Inc. dividend per annum	5.00%
Cumulative translation gains (losses) relating to translation impact of intangible assets		$ 393,000,000

The amount of noncontrolling interest in subsidiary represented by preferred securities issued by the subsidiary.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.31)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 27

-Article 5

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestAmountRepresentedByPreferredStock
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant