Earnings Per Share Attributable to Common Shareholders - Diluted Numerator (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012	Oct. 02, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Oct. 02, 2011
EPS Numerator-Diluted
Income from continuing operations attributable to Pfizer Inc. common shareholders and assumed conversions	$ 3,104	$ 2,314	$ 8,006	$ 6,951
Discontinued operations-net of tax	104	1,424	249	1,619
Net income attributable to Pfizer Inc. common shareholders and assumed conversions	$ 3,208	$ 3,738	$ 8,255	$ 8,570

Amount of income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to the parent. Also defined as revenue less expenses and taxes from ongoing operations before extraordinary items but after deduction of those portions of income or loss from continuing operations that are allocable to noncontrolling interests.

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- Definition

Amount of income (loss) from a disposal group, net of income tax before extraordinary items allocable to noncontrolling interests. Includes, net of tax, income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

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