Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Narrative (Detail) (USD $) In Billions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Oct. 02, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Oct. 02, 2011
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense for finite-lived intangible assets	$ 1.3	$ 1.4	$ 4.1	$ 4.3
Indefinite Lived Brands [Member] | Established Products [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage of indefinite-lived intangible asset unamortized costs by segment	33.00%		33.00%
Indefinite Lived Brands [Member] | Consumer Healthcare [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage of indefinite-lived intangible asset unamortized costs by segment	67.00%		67.00%
In Process Research And Development [Member] | Specialty Care [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage of indefinite-lived intangible asset unamortized costs by segment	21.00%		21.00%
In Process Research And Development [Member] | Established Products [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage of indefinite-lived intangible asset unamortized costs by segment	11.00%		11.00%
In Process Research And Development [Member] | Primary Care [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage of indefinite-lived intangible asset unamortized costs by segment	19.00%		19.00%
In Process Research And Development [Member] | Animal Health [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage of indefinite-lived intangible asset unamortized costs by segment	2.00%		2.00%
In Process Research And Development [Member] | Worldwide Research and Development [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage of indefinite-lived intangible asset unamortized costs by segment	47.00%		47.00%
Developed Technology Rights [Member] | Specialty Care [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage of finite-lived intangible asset amortized cost by segment	65.00%		65.00%
Developed Technology Rights [Member] | Established Products [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage of finite-lived intangible asset amortized cost by segment	18.00%		18.00%
Developed Technology Rights [Member] | Primary Care [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage of finite-lived intangible asset amortized cost by segment	14.00%		14.00%
Developed Technology Rights [Member] | Animal Health [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage of finite-lived intangible asset amortized cost by segment	2.00%		2.00%
Developed Technology Rights [Member] | Oncology [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage of finite-lived intangible asset amortized cost by segment	1.00%		1.00%
Finite Lived Brands [Member] | Established Products [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage of finite-lived intangible asset amortized cost by segment	23.00%		23.00%
Finite Lived Brands [Member] | Animal Health [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage of finite-lived intangible asset amortized cost by segment	12.00%		12.00%
Finite Lived Brands [Member] | Consumer Healthcare [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage of finite-lived intangible asset amortized cost by segment	65.00%		65.00%