Other Deductions - Net (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended				3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Oct. 02, 2011		Sep. 30, 2012		Oct. 02, 2011		Sep. 30, 2012 U.S. Department of Justice [Member] Rapamune [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 U.S. Department of Justice [Member] Rapamune [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 In Process Research And Development [Member]		Oct. 02, 2011 In Process Research And Development [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Consumer Healthcare [Member] Robitussin [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Developed Technology Rights [Member]	Oct. 02, 2011 Developed Technology Rights [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Investments Impairment Charge [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Celebrex [Member] Brigham Young University [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Worldwide Research and Development [Member]	Oct. 02, 2011 Worldwide Research and Development [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Consumer Healthcare [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Established Products [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Primary Care [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Specialty Care [Member]	Oct. 02, 2011 Specialty Care [Member]	Oct. 02, 2011 Oncology [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Animal Health [Member]	Oct. 02, 2011 Animal Health [Member]	Aug. 15, 2012 Maximum [Member] Public Offering [Member] Animal Health [Member] Zoetis [Member]
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items]
Product litigation, hormone replacement therapy	$ 726	[1]	$ 132	[1]	$ 2,014	[1]	$ 619	[1]	$ 491	$ 491								$ 450
Intangible asset impairments	$ 494				$ 494		$ 585				$ 314	[2]	$ 440	$ 45	$ 135	$ 145	$ 67		$ 297	$ 394	$ 45	$ 45	$ 52	$ 19	$ 126	$ 56	$ 36	$ 9
Percentage Of Ownership Interests Owned By Public Stockholders																													20.00%

[1] In the third quarter of 2012, primarily includes a $491 million charge, not deductible for income tax purposes, resulting from an agreement-in-principle with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to resolve an investigation into Wyeth's historical promotional practices in connection with Rapamune. In the first nine months of 2012, primarily includes the aforementioned $491 million charge related to Rapamune, a $450 million settlement of a lawsuit by Brigham Young University related to Celebrex, and charges related to hormone-replacement therapy litigation. In 2011, primarily includes charges related to hormone-replacement therapy litigation. (See Note 12. Commitments and Contingencies.)

[2] Reflects intangible assets written down to their fair value of $617 million in the first nine months of 2012. The impairment charges of $494 million are included in Other deductions––net. When we are required to determine the fair value of intangible assets other than goodwill, we use an income approach, specifically the multi-period excess earnings method, also known as the discounted cash flow method. We start with a forecast of all the expected net cash flows associated with the asset, which includes the application of a terminal value for indefinite-lived assets, and then we apply an asset-specific discount rate to arrive at a net present value amount. Some of the more significant estimates and assumptions inherent in this approach include: the amount and timing of the projected net cash flows, which includes the expected impact of competitive, legal and/or regulatory forces on the projections and the impact of technological risk associated with IPR&D assets, as well as the selection of a long-term growth rate; the discount rate, which seeks to reflect the various risks inherent in the projected cash flows; and the tax rate, which seeks to incorporate the geographic diversity of the projected cash flows.