Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Finite-lived and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross Carrying Amount	$ 76,268		$ 76,070
Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(40,483)	[1]	(38,643)	[1]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets, less Accumulated Amortization	35,785		37,427
Total indefinite-lived intangible assets	8,324		8,586
Intangible assets, gross carrying amount	84,592	[1]	84,656	[1]
Identifiable Intangible Assets, less Accumulated Amortization	44,109	[1]	46,013	[1]
Developed Technology Rights [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross Carrying Amount	73,310		73,112
Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(38,857)		(37,069)
Finite-lived Intangible Assets, less Accumulated Amortization	34,453		36,043
Brands [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross Carrying Amount	1,880		1,873
Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(809)		(781)
Finite-lived Intangible Assets, less Accumulated Amortization	1,071		1,092
License Agreements [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross Carrying Amount	1,078		1,085
Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(817)		(793)
Finite-lived Intangible Assets, less Accumulated Amortization	261		292
Indefinite Lived Brands [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Brands	7,571		7,828
In Process Research And Development [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
In-process research and development	681		688
Trademarks [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Trademarks	$ 72		$ 70
Zoetis [Member] | Developed Technology Rights [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage of finite-lived intangible asset amortized cost by segment	1.00%
Zoetis [Member] | Brands [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage of finite-lived intangible asset amortized cost by segment	12.00%
Zoetis [Member] | Indefinite Lived Brands [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage of finite-lived intangible asset amortized cost by segment	1.00%

[1] The decrease is primarily related to amortization, an asset impairment charge and the transfer of certain product rights to our equity-method investment in China. For additional information about the asset impairment charge, see Note 4. Other Deductions—Net. For additional information about the transfer of certain product rights, see Note 2D. Acquisitions, Divestitures, Collaborative Arrangement and Equity-Method Investment: Equity-Method Investment.