Other Deductions - Net (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
Other (Income) Deductions - Net [Line Items]
Product litigation, hormone replacement therapy	$ 474	[1]	$ (14)	[1]	$ 1,287	[1]	$ 487	[1]
Intangible asset impairments	53		320		449		480
In Process Research And Development [Member]
Other (Income) Deductions - Net [Line Items]
Intangible asset impairments			200		305	[2]	360
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	45		120		99		120
Investments Impairment Charge [Member]
Other (Income) Deductions - Net [Line Items]
Intangible asset impairments	24				61
Celebrex [Member] | Brigham Young University [Member]
Other (Income) Deductions - Net [Line Items]
Product litigation, hormone replacement therapy					450
Worldwide Research and Development [Member]
Other (Income) Deductions - Net [Line Items]
Intangible asset impairments					297		355
Established Products [Member]
Other (Income) Deductions - Net [Line Items]
Intangible asset impairments					45
Primary Care [Member]
Other (Income) Deductions - Net [Line Items]
Intangible asset impairments					43
Specialty Care [Member]
Other (Income) Deductions - Net [Line Items]
Intangible asset impairments					19		116
Animal Health [Member]
Other (Income) Deductions - Net [Line Items]
Intangible asset impairments							$ 9

[1] In the second quarter and first six months of 2012, primarily includes charges for hormone-replacement therapy litigation. The first six months of 2012 also includes $450 million in settlement of a lawsuit by Brigham Young University related to Celebrex. In 2011, primarily includes charges for hormone-replacement therapy litigation. (See Note 12. Commitments and Contingencies.)

[2] Reflects intangible assets written down to their fair value of $603 million in the first six months of 2012. The impairment charges of $449 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 IPR&D 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.