Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Narrative (Detail) (USD $) In Billions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Apr. 01, 2012
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense for finite-lived intangible assets	$ 1.3	$ 1.5
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	31.00%
Indefinite Lived Brands [Member] | Zoetis [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage of finite-lived intangible asset amortized cost by segment	1.00%
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	68.00%
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	11.00%
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	20.00%
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	12.00%
In Process Research And Development [Member] | Zoetis [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage of indefinite-lived intangible asset unamortized costs by segment	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	55.00%
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	66.00%
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	19.00%
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	13.00%
Developed Technology Rights [Member] | Zoetis [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage of finite-lived intangible asset amortized cost by segment	1.00%
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%
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	24.00%
Finite Lived Brands [Member] | Zoetis [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage of finite-lived intangible asset amortized cost by segment	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	64.00%