Acquisitions and Divestitures - Discontinued Operations - Net of Tax (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jul. 01, 2012	Jul. 03, 2011	Jul. 01, 2012	Jul. 03, 2011
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Deferred tax expense/(benefit)	$ 22	$ (4)	$ 14	$ (7)

Deferred income tax expense or benefit attributable to income or loss from discontinued operations during the phase-out period.

No definition available.

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