Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Narrative (Detail) (USD $) In Billions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 03, 2011	Jul. 04, 2010	Jul. 03, 2011	Jul. 04, 2010
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense for finite-lived intangible assets	$ 1.4	$ 1.5	$ 2.9	$ 2.9
Primary Care [Member] | Developed Technology Rights [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage Of Finite-lived Intangible Asset Amortized Cost By Segment	16.00%		16.00%
Nutrition [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%		1.00%
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	62.00%		62.00%
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] | 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%
Nutrition [Member] | Brands [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage Of Indefinite-lived Intangible Asset Unamortized Costs By Segment	22.00%		22.00%
Brands [Member] | Established Products [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage Of Finite-lived Intangible Asset Amortized Cost By Segment	29.00%		29.00%
Brands [Member] | Animal Health [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage Of Finite-lived Intangible Asset Amortized Cost By Segment	14.00%		14.00%
Brands [Member] | Consumer Healthcare [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage Of Finite-lived Intangible Asset Amortized Cost By Segment	57.00%		57.00%
Brands [Member] | Established Products [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage Of Indefinite-lived Intangible Asset Unamortized Costs By Segment	28.00%		28.00%
Brands [Member] | Consumer Healthcare [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage Of Indefinite-lived Intangible Asset Unamortized Costs By Segment	50.00%		50.00%
Primary Care [Member] | In Process Research And Development [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage Of Indefinite-lived Intangible Asset Unamortized Costs By Segment	5.00%		5.00%
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	74.00%		74.00%
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	3.00%		3.00%
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	1.00%		1.00%
In Process Research And Development [Member] | Oncology [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage Of Indefinite-lived Intangible Asset Unamortized Costs By Segment	3.00%		3.00%
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	14.00%		14.00%