Other Deductions - Net (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2012		Apr. 03, 2011
Other (Income) Deductions - Net [Line Items]
Product litigation, hormone replacement therapy	$ 814	[1]	$ 501	[1]
Intangible asset impairments	395	[2],[3]
Proposed Settlement [Member] | Celebrex [Member] | Brigham Young University [Member]
Other (Income) Deductions - Net [Line Items]
Product litigation, hormone replacement therapy	450
In Process Research And Development [Member]
Other (Income) Deductions - Net [Line Items]
Intangible asset impairments	297
Consumer Healthcare [Member] | Robitussin [Member]
Other (Income) Deductions - Net [Line Items]
Intangible asset impairments	45
Developed Technology Rights [Member]
Other (Income) Deductions - Net [Line Items]
Intangible asset impairments	$ 53

[1] In 2012, primarily relates to a $450 million charge in connection with an agreement-in-principle to settle a lawsuit by Brigham Young University related to Celebrex and charges for hormone-replacement therapy litigation. In 2011, primarily relates to charges for hormone-replacement therapy litigation (see Note 12. Commitments and Contingencies).

[2] Reflects intangible assets written down to their fair value of $516 million in the first quarter of 2012. The impairment charges of $395 million are included in Other deductions--net. When we are required to determine the fair value of intangible assets other than goodwill, we use an income approach, specifically the multi-period excess earnings method, also known as the discounted cash flow method. We start with a forecast of all the expected net cash flows associated with the asset, which includes the application of a terminal value for indefinite-lived assets, and then we apply an asset-specific discount rate to arrive at a net present value amount. Some of the more significant estimates and assumptions inherent in this approach include: the amount and timing of the projected net cash flows, which includes the expected impact of competitive, legal and/or regulatory forces on the projections and the impact of technological risk associated with in-process research and development assets, as well as the selection of a long-term growth rate; the discount rate, which seeks to reflect the various risks inherent in the projected cash flows; and the tax rate, which seeks to incorporate the geographic diversity of the projected cash flows.

[3] Included in Identifiable intangible assets, less accumulated amortization.