Name:	pfe_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCostsTransactionCosts
Namespace Prefix:	pfe_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Implementation costs represent external, incremental costs directly related to Implementing cost-reduction initiatives, and primarily include expenditures related to system and process standardization and the expansion of shared services.

No definition available.

Name:	pfe_ImplementationCosts
Namespace Prefix:	pfe_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Restructuring, Asset Impairment Charges

No definition available.

Name:	pfe_RestructuringAssetImpairmentCharges
Namespace Prefix:	pfe_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Restructuring Charges, Acquisition Related Costs and Implementation Costs

No definition available.

Name:	pfe_RestructuringChargesAcquisitionRelatedCostsandImplementationCosts
Namespace Prefix:	pfe_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

This element represents (i) restructuring charges, which are amounts charged against earnings in the period for incurred and estimated costs associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructurings pursuant to a program that is planned and controlled by management, and materially changes either the scope of a business undertaken by an entity, or the manner in which that business is conducted; and (ii) acquisition-related costs, which are costs incurred to effect a business combination which costs have been expensed during the period. Such costs can include transaction costs such as banking, legal, accounting and other costs directly related to effect a business combination as well as external, incremental costs of integration planning that are directly related to a business combination, including costs associated with preparing for systems and other integration activities.

No definition available.

Name:	pfe_RestructuringChargesAndAcquisitionRelatedCosts
Namespace Prefix:	pfe_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Costs incurred to effect a business combination which have been expensed during the period. Such costs could include business integration costs, systems integration and conversion costs, and severance and other employee-related costs.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationIntegrationRelatedCosts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The expenses and losses recorded for each transaction with the acquiree that was recognized separately from the acquisition of assets and assumptions of liabilities in the business combination.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (e)(3)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479328/805-10-50-2

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationSeparatelyRecognizedTransactionsExpensesAndLossesRecognized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of expenses associated with exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Includes, but is not limited to, one-time termination benefits, termination of an operating lease or other contract, consolidating or closing facilities, and relocating employees, and termination benefits associated with an ongoing benefit arrangement. Excludes expenses associated with special or contractual termination benefits, a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessExitCosts1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of net periodic benefit cost (credit) for defined benefit plan.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 55
-Paragraph 17
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480482/715-20-55-17

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 55
-Paragraph 18
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480482/715-20-55-18

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (h)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480506/715-20-50-1

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-Subparagraph (a)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480506/715-20-50-6

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of expenses associated with exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Excludes expenses related to a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-SubTopic 10
-Topic 230
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482740/230-10-45-28

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.P.4(b)(1))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479823/420-10-S99-2

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482047/420-10-45-3

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.P.3)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479823/420-10-S99-1

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringChargesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Amount of accelerated depreciation charged against earnings associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructuring plan.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringReserveAcceleratedDepreciation
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of expenses for special or contractual termination benefits provided to current employees involuntarily terminated under a benefit arrangement associated exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Excludes expenses related to one-time termination benefits, a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

Name:	us-gaap_SeveranceCosts1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=pfe_BiopharmaSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentExpenseMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=pfe_RestructuringChargesAndAcquisitionRelatedCostsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: