Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Narrative (Detail) (USD $) In Billions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2012	Apr. 03, 2011
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense for finite-lived intangible assets	$ 1.5	$ 1.4
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	25.00%
Indefinite Lived Brands [Member] | Nutrition [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage of indefinite-lived intangible asset unamortized costs by segment	22.00%
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	53.00%
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	10.00%
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	2.00%
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	19.00%
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	19.00%
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	7.00%
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	43.00%
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	17.00%
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%
Developed Technology Rights [Member] | Nutrition [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] | Specialty Care [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage of finite-lived intangible asset amortized cost by segment	65.00%
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	14.00%
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	23.00%
Finite Lived Brands [Member] | Animal Health [Member]
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percentage of finite-lived intangible asset amortized cost by segment	11.00%
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	66.00%