| **Segment, Geographic and Other Revenue Information - Footnotes (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions**      | 1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |        |         |        |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------|----------------|-----------------|--------|---------|--------|
||
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                          |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Litigation settlement income (loss)                                                                     |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   | $ (554) | $ (157) | $ (240) |   |   |   |
| Business alignment costs                                                                                |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   | 338 | 63 | 71 |   |   |   |
| Gain associated with Bain Capital transaction                                                           |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   | 454 | 586 | 224 |   |   |   |
| Gain on completion of Consumer Healthcare JV transaction                                                |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   | 8,086 | 0 | 0 |   |   |   |
| Loss on early retirement of debt                                                                        |           |           | $ 999           |   |    |   |   |   | 138 | 3 | 999 |   |   |   |
| Research and development expenses                                                                       |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   | 8,650 | 8,006 | 7,683 |   |   |   |
| External incremental costs                                                                              |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   | 152 | 112 |   |   |   |   |
| Loss on disposition of property                                                                         |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   | (60) | (52) |   |   |   |
| Segment Reconciling Items [Member]                                                                      |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                          |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Restructuring charges and implementation costs                                                          |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   | 758 | 977 | 204 |   |   |   |
| Litigation settlement income (loss)                                                                     |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   | (543) | (157) |   |   |   |   |
| Certain asset impairments                                                                               |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   | 2,800 | 3,100 | 379 |   |   |   |
| Business alignment costs                                                                                |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   | 495 | 63 |   |   |   |   |
| Gain associated with Bain Capital transaction                                                           |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   | 415 | 586 | 224 |   |   |   |
| Loss on early retirement of debt                                                                        |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   | 138 |   | 999 |   |   |   |
| Other income (charges)                                                                                  |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   | 1,300 | 4 | 756 |   |   |   |
| One-time bonus paid to all Pfizer colleagues excluding executives                                       |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   | 119 |   |   |   |   |
| Other legal matters, net                                                                                |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   | 237 |   |   |   |
| Alignment costs                                                                                         |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   | 71 |   |   |   |
| HIS [Member] | Segment Reconciling Items [Member]                                                       |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                          |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Income (Loss) on sale of HIS net assets                                                                 |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   | 1 | (55) |   |   |   |
| ViiV Healthcare Limited [Member]                                                                        |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                          |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Dividend income                                                                                         |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   | $ 220 | 253 | 266 |   |   |   |
| Equity method investment, ownership percentage                                                          |           |           |            | 11.70% |    |   |   |   | 11.70% |   |   |   |   |   |
| ViiV Healthcare Limited [Member] | Biopharma Segment [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]             |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                          |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Dividend income                                                                                         |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   | $ 220 | 253 | 266 |   |   |   |
| GSK Consumer Healthcare [Member]                                                                        |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                          |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Gain on completion of Consumer Healthcare JV transaction                                                |           |           |            |   | $ 8,100 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Equity method investment, ownership percentage                                                          |           |           |            | 32.00% |    |   |   |   | 32.00% |   |   | 32.00% |   |   |
| GSK Consumer Healthcare [Member] | Segment Reconciling Items [Member]                                   |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                          |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Gain on completion of Consumer Healthcare JV transaction                                                |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   | $ 8,100 |   |   |   |   |   |
| External incremental costs                                                                              |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   | 240 |   |   |   |   |   |
| Allogene [Member]                                                                                       |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                          |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Gain from contribution agreement                                                                        |           |           |            |   |    | $ 50   |   |   |   | 50 |   |   |   |   |
| Allogene [Member] | Segment Reconciling Items [Member]                                                  |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                          |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Gain from contribution agreement                                                                        |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   | 50 |   |   |   |   |
| Hisun Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd [Member]                                                           |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                          |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Loss on disposition of property                                                                         |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   | $ 81 |   |   |   |
| Equity method investment, ownership percentage                                                          |           |           | 49.00%          |   |    |   | 49.00% |   |   |   | 49.00% |   | 49.00% |   |
| Loss on disposal of equity method investment                                                            |           |           |            |   |    |   | $ 81 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Laboratorio Teuto Brasilero [Member]                                                                    |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                          |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Equity method investment, ownership percentage                                                          |           |           | 40.00%          |   |    |   | 40.00% |   |   |   | 40.00% |   |   | 40.00% |
| Loss on disposal of equity method investment                                                            |           |           |            |   |    |   |   | $ 30 |   |   | $ 30 |   |   |   |
| NovaQuest Co-Investment Fund V, L.P. [Member]                                                           |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                          |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Research and development expenses                                                                       |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   | 15 |   |   |   |   |   |
| Charge primarily for inventory manufactured for expected future sale                                    |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   | 99 |   |   |   |   |   |
| NovaQuest Co-Investment Fund V, L.P. [Member] | Segment Reconciling Items [Member]                      |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                          |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Charge primarily for inventory manufactured for expected future sale                                    |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   | 99 |   |   |   |   |   |
| Bain Capital [Member] | Cerevel [Member]                                                                |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                          |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Gain associated with Bain Capital transaction                                                           |           | $ 343          |            |   |    |   |   |   |   | 343 |   |   |   |   |
| Bain Capital [Member] | Cerevel [Member] | Segment Reconciling Items [Member]                           |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                          |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Gain associated with Bain Capital transaction                                                           |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   | $ 343 |   |   |   |   |
| Research and Development Expense [Member] | Licensing Agreements [Member] | Akcea And Ionis [Member]    |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                          |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Payment for licensing arrangement                                                                       | $ 250          |           |            | $ 250  |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Other Income (Expense) [Member] | GSK Consumer Healthcare [Member] | Segment Reconciling Items [Member] |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                          |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Restructuring charges and implementation costs                                                          |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   | 112 |   |   |   |   |   |
| Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]                                                   |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                          |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Charitable contribution expense                                                                         |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   | 200 |   |   |   |
| Cost of Sales [Member]                                                                                  |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                          |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Inventory losses and overhead costs                                                                     |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   | $ 195 |   |   |   |
| Therachon Asset Acquisition [Member] | Segment Reconciling Items [Member]                               |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                          |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Research and development expenses                                                                       |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   | $ 337 |   |   |   |   |   |
| Laboratorio Teuto Brasilero [Member]                                                                    |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                          |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage by parent                                                 |           |           | 60.00%          |   |    |   | 60.00% |   |   |   | 60.00% |   |   |   |
| Laboratorio Teuto Brasilero [Member] | Laboratorio Teuto Brasilero [Member]                             |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                          |           |           |            |   |    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage by parent                                                 |           |           | 60.00%          |   |    |   | 60.00% |   |   |   | 60.00% |   |   |   |

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The amount of impairment loss recognized in the period resulting from the write-down of the carrying amount of intangible assets, other than goodwill, to fair value.
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Charge primarily for inventory manufactured for expected future sale
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Charitable Contribution Expense
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Compensation Related Costs, Non-Executive Employees, Bonus
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Payment For Licensing Arrangement
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| - Definition
Amount of gain (loss) from deconsolidation of subsidiary and derecognition of group of assets constituting transfer of business or nonprofit activity, excluding conveyance of oil and gas mineral rights and transfer of good or service in contract with customer.
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Amount before tax of gain (loss) recognized on the sale or disposal of a disposal group. Excludes discontinued operations.
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The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.
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Amount of gain (loss) on sale or disposal of an equity method investment.
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Amount of unrealized and realized gain (loss) on investment in equity security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in net income (FV-NI).
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Amount of gain (loss) on sale or disposal of property, plant and equipment assets, including oil and gas property and timber property.
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Amount of gain (loss) recognized in settlement of litigation and insurance claims. Excludes claims within an insurance entity's normal claims settlement process.
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| - Definition
Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity.
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Amount of dividend income on nonoperating securities.
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The amount of loss pertaining to the specified contingency that was charged against earnings in the period, including the effects of revisions in previously reported estimates.
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The parent entity's interest in net assets of the subsidiary, expressed as a percentage.
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The net amount of other operating income and expenses, the components of which are not separately disclosed on the income statement, from items that are associated with the entity's normal revenue producing operations.
+ References
No definition available.
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| - Definition
The costs incurred in a planned search or critical investigation aimed at discovery of new knowledge with the hope that such knowledge will be useful in developing a new product or service, a new process or technique, or in bringing about a significant improvement to an existing product or process; or to translate research findings or other knowledge into a plan or design for a new product or process or for a significant improvement to an existing product or process whether intended for sale or the entity's use, during the reporting period charged to research and development projects, excluding in-process research and development acquired in a business combination consummated during the period. Excludes software research and development, which has a separate concept.
+ References
Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 730 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6420194&loc=d3e21568-108373
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| - Definition
Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.
+ References
No definition available.
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