Inventories (Parenthetical) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Inventories [Line Items]
Excess inventories	Certain inventories are in excess of one year's supply

This item represents inventories supply period that is generally consistent with the normal operating cycle of such inventory.

No definition available.

Name:	pfe_InventorySupplyYears
Namespace Prefix:	pfe_
Data Type:	us-types:durationStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration