| **Commitments and Contingencies (Detail) (USD $)**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | 1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended |        | 1 Months Ended |     |                |     |                 |     |        |          | 1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended |        |        |        | 9 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended |          | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended  | 12 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|--------|----------------|-----|----------------|-----|-----------------|-----|--------|----------|----------------|----------------|--------|--------|--------|----------------|----------------|----------|----------------|-----------------|----------------|-----------------|-----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
||
| **Loss Contingencies [Line Items]**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |           |           |                |   |           |     |           |     |            |     |   |     |           |           |   |   |   |           |           |     |           |            |           |            |            |           |           |           |           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Period of Exclusivity                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |           |           |                |   |           |     |           |     |            |     |   | 6 months |           |           |   |   |   |           |           | 6 months | 6 months       | 6 months        | 6 months       |            |            |           |           |           |           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Notice of appeal and related motion                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |           |           |                |   |           |     |           |     |            |     |   |     |           |           |   |   |   |           |           |     |           |            |           |            |            |           |           |           |           |   |   |   |   | October 2010 |   |   |   | October 2010 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Number of patents                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |           |           |                |   |           |     |           |     |            |     |   |     |           |           | 3      | 5      | 2      | 3              | 3              |     | 3              |            |           |            |            |           |           |           |           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Number of other patents                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |           |           |                |   |           |     |           |     |            |     |   |     |           |           |   |   |   |           | 2              |     |           |            |           |            |            |           |           |           |           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Number of Claims, Infringement of Formulation Process                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |           |           |                |   |           |     |           |     |            |     |   |     |           |           |   |   |   |           |           |     | 2              |            |           |            |            |           |           |           |           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Product litigation charge, pre-tax                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |           | $ 1,000,000    | [1]            |   | $ 727,000,000  | [1] | $ (94,000,000) | [1] | $ 2,014,000,000 | [1] |   |     |           |           |   |   |   |           |           |     |           |            |           |            |            |           |           |           |           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | $ 369,000,000 |   | $ 1,300,000,000 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Product litigation charge, after-tax                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |           |           |                |   |           |     |           |     |            |     |   |     |           |           |   |   |   |           |           |     |           |            |           |            |            |           |           |           |           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 229,000,000 |   | 800,000,000 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| The minimum percentage of votes needed from claimants to approve the proposed bankruptcy reorganization plan                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |           |           |                |   |           |     |           |     |            |     |   |     |           |           |   |   |   |           |           |     |           |            |           |            |            |           |           |           |           |   |   |   |   |   |   | 75.00% |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Percentage of claimants that agreed to 2004 proposed settlement                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |           |           |                |   |           |     |           |     |            |     |   |     |           |           |   |   |   |           |           |     |           |            |           |            |            |           |           |           |           |   |   |   |   |   |   | 80.00% |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Loss Contingency Proposed Settlement Amount Offered                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |           |           |                |   |           |     |           |     |            |     |   |     |           |           |   |   |   |           |           |     |           |            |           |            |            |           |           |           |           |   |   |   |   |   |   | 430,000,000 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Loss Contingency Claims Payment Amount For Qualified Claimants Second Payment                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |           |           |                |   |           |     |           |     |            |     |   |     |           |           |   |   |   |           |           |     |           |            |           |            |            |           |           |           |           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 300,000,000 |   |   |   |   |   |
| Loss Contingency Settled Payment Of Legal Costs Of Plaintiff                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |           |           |                |   |           |     |           |     |            |     |   |     |           |           |   |   |   |           |           |     |           |            |           |            |            |           |           |           |           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 19,000,000 |   |   |   |   |   |
| Loss Contingency Claims Payment Amount For Qualified Claimants First Payment                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |           |           |                |   |           |     |           |     |            |     |   |     |           |           |   |   |   |           |           |     |           |            |           |            |            |           |           |           |           |   |   |   |   |   | 215,000,000 |   |   |   |   |   | 500,000,000 |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Number of Ad Hoc Committee claimants agreeing to the company's proposed settlement offer                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |           |           |                |   |           |     |           |     |            |     |   |     |           |           |   |   |   |           |           |     |           |            |           |            |            |           |           |           |           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 40,000 |   |   |   |   |   |
| Agreed upon amount of assets (cash and non-cash) to be contributed to a special purpose trust created to pay claimants, if Quigley's proposed reorganization plan is approved by the court                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |           |           |                |   |           |     |           |     |            |     |   |     |           |           |   |   |   |           |           |     |           |            |           |            |            |           |           |           |           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 1,080,000,000 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Insurance Settlement Gross Recovery                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |           |           |                |   |           |     | 80,000,000     |     |            |     |   |     |           |           |   |   |   |           |           |     |           |            |           |            |            |           |           |           | 405,000,000    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Insurance settlement collection period                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |           |           |                |   |           |     |           |     |            |     |   |     |           |           |   |   |   |           |           |     |           |            |           |            |            |           |           |           | 10 years       |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Number of claims seeking damages                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |           |           |                |   |           |     |           |     |            |     |   |     |           |           |   |   |   |           |           |     |           |            |           |            |            |           |           | 10,000         |           | 66,400 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Number of Multiple-Plaintiff Actions                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |           |           |                |   |           |     |           |     |            |     | 3      |     |           |           |   |   |   |           |           |     |           |            |           |            |            |           |           |           |           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Unresolved actions, years outstanding                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |           | 5 years        |                |   |           |     | 5 years        |     |            |     |   |     |           |           |   |   |   |           |           |     |           |            |           |            |            |           |           |           |           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Cumulative percentage of actions settled                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |           |           |                |   |           |     |           |     |            |     |   |     |           |           |   |   |   |           |           |     |           |            |           |            |            |           |           | 98.00%         |           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Litigation settlement expense                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |           |           |                |   |           |     |           |     |            |     |   |     |           |           |   |   |   |           |           |     |           |            |           |            |            |           |           | 1,700,000,000  |           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Estimated minimum cost to resolve outstanding actions                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |           |           |                |   |           |     |           |     |            |     |   |     |           |           |   |   |   |           |           |     |           |            |           |            |            |           |           | 25,000,000     |           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Damages awarded by the court                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |           |           |                |   |           |     |           |     |            |     |   |     |           |           |   |   |   |           |           |     |           |            |           |            |            |           |           |           |           |   | 47,400,000 | 65,400,000 | 38,700,000 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Treble damages amount awarded, under appeal                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |           |           |                |   |           |     |           |     |            |     |   |     |           |           |   |   |   |           |           |     |           |            |           |            |            |           |           |           |           |   | 142,100,000 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Number of actions                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |           |           |                |   |           |     |           |     |            |     |   |     | 4              | 2              |   |   |   |           |           |     |           |            |           |            |            |           |           |           |           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Number of test cases                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |           |           |                |   |           |     |           |     |            |     |   |     |           |           |   |   |   |           |           |     |           |            |           |            |            | 6              |           |           |           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Number of additional test cases                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |           |           |                |   |           |     |           |     |            |     |   |     |           |           |   |   |   |           |           |     |           |            |           |            | 3               |           |           |           |           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Number of test cases with civil actions                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |           |           |                |   |           |     |           |     |            |     |   |     |           |           |   |   |   |           |           |     |           |            |           |            |            | 6              |           |           |           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Environmental complaint and penalty demand, environmental protection agency                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         | 216,000        |           |                |   |           |     |           |     |            |     |   |     |           |           |   |   |   |           |           |     |           |            |           |            |            |           |           |           |           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Litigation Settlement, Amount                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |           |           |                |   |           |     |           |     |            |     |   |     |           |           |   |   |   |           |           |     |           |            |           | $ 2,150,000,000 |            |           |           |           |           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | $ 800,000,000 | $ 660,000,000 | $ 800,000,000 | $ 550,000,000 |   |
| Litigation Settlement, Percentage of Settlement Proceeds                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |           |           |                | 64.00% |           |     |           |     |            |     |   |     |           |           |   |   |   |           |           |     |           |            |           |            |            |           |           |           |           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Litigation Settlement, Counterparty Percentage of Settlement Proceeds                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |           |           |                |   |           |     |           |     |            |     |   |     |           |           |   |   |   |           |           |     |           |            |           |            |            |           |           |           |           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 36.00% |
| Contract Extension Agreement Period                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |           |           |                |   |           |     |           |     |            |     |   |     |           |           |   |   |   |           |           |     |           |            |           |            |            |           | 24 months      |           |           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
|                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
| [1]In the first nine months of 2013, primarily includes an $80 million insurance recovery related to a certain litigation matter. In the third quarter of 2012, primarily includes a $491 million charge relating to the resolution of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) into Wyeth's historical promotional practices in connection with Rapamune. In the first nine months of 2012, primarily includes the aforementioned $491 million charge related to Rapamune, a $450 million settlement of a lawsuit by Brigham Young University related to Celebrex, and charges for hormone-replacement therapy litigation. For additional information, see Note 12. Commitments and Contingencies. |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Contract Extension Agreement Period
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pfe_ContractExtensionAgreementPeriod**Namespace Prefix:**pfe_**Data Type:**xbrli:durationItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The date or period in which a motion was filed with a court.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pfe_CourtMotionDateFiled**Namespace Prefix:**pfe_**Data Type:**us-types:dateStringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Environmental Complaint And Penalty Demand, Environmental Protection Agency
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pfe_EnvironmentalComplaintAndPenaltyDemandEnvironmentalProtectionAgency**Namespace Prefix:**pfe_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The period over which a settled insurance recovery is due to be collected.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pfe_InsuranceSettlementCollectionsPeriod**Namespace Prefix:**pfe_**Data Type:**xbrli:durationItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The amount that the company will receive from insurers as claims recovery.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pfe_InsuranceSettlementGrossRecovery**Namespace Prefix:**pfe_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Litigation settlement, Takeda's percentage of settlement proceeds who is the co-plaintiff in the Protonix litgation
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pfe_LitigationSettlementCounterpartyPercentageofSettlementProceeds**Namespace Prefix:**pfe_**Data Type:**num:percentItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Litigation Settlement, Percentage of Settlement Proceeds
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pfe_LitigationSettlementPercentageofSettlementProceeds**Namespace Prefix:**pfe_**Data Type:**num:percentItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The value of assets to be deposited into a trust to be used for satisfying legal claims.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pfe_LossContingencyAssetsAgreedToBeContributedToTrustForBenefitOfClaimants**Namespace Prefix:**pfe_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The sum the entity is obligated to pay in full or on a first installment payment date to claimants that provide the appropriate documentation.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pfe_LossContingencyClaimsPaymentAmountForQualifiedClaimantsFirstPayment**Namespace Prefix:**pfe_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The sum the entity is obligated to pay on a second payment date to claimants that provide the appropriate documentation.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pfe_LossContingencyClaimsPaymentAmountForQualifiedClaimantsSecondPayment**Namespace Prefix:**pfe_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The after tax 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.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pfe_LossContingencyLossInPeriodAfterTax**Namespace Prefix:**pfe_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
In a litigation matter, the minimum percentage of qualifying votes needed to approve an action, plan, or settlement proposed by the entity.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pfe_LossContingencyMinimumPercentageNeededForApproval**Namespace Prefix:**pfe_**Data Type:**num:percentItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The number of claimants that have accepted a specific offer by the entity to settle a litigation matter.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pfe_LossContingencyNumberOfClaimantsAcceptingProposedSettlementOffer**Namespace Prefix:**pfe_**Data Type:**xbrli:integerItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The percentage of individual claimants that agreed to a specified proposed settlement offer.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pfe_LossContingencyPercentageOfClaimantsApprovingProposedSettlementOffer**Namespace Prefix:**pfe_**Data Type:**num:percentItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The sum the company offered to pay claimants, subject to their acceptance and Court approval.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pfe_LossContingencyProposedSettlementAmountOffered**Namespace Prefix:**pfe_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The amount the entity has agreed to pay for plaintiff's legal fees and expenses.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pfe_LossContingencySettledPaymentOfLegalCostsOfPlaintiff**Namespace Prefix:**pfe_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Represents the sum of the base and punitive damages awarded by court decision based on a statute that provides for the tripling of the base amount of damages awarded.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pfe_LossContingencyTrebleDamages**Namespace Prefix:**pfe_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Number of Actions
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pfe_NumberOfActions**Namespace Prefix:**pfe_**Data Type:**xbrli:integerItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Number of Additional Test Cases
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pfe_NumberOfAdditionalTestCases**Namespace Prefix:**pfe_**Data Type:**xbrli:integerItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Number of Claims, Infringement of Formulation Process
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pfe_NumberOfClaimsInfringementOfFormulationProcess**Namespace Prefix:**pfe_**Data Type:**xbrli:integerItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Number of Multiple-Plaintiff Actions
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pfe_NumberOfMultiplePlaintiffActions**Namespace Prefix:**pfe_**Data Type:**xbrli:integerItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Number of Other Patents
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pfe_NumberOfOtherPatents**Namespace Prefix:**pfe_**Data Type:**xbrli:integerItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Number of Patents
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pfe_NumberOfPatents**Namespace Prefix:**pfe_**Data Type:**xbrli:integerItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Number of Test Cases
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pfe_NumberOfTestCases**Namespace Prefix:**pfe_**Data Type:**xbrli:integerItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Number of Test Cases With Civil Actions
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pfe_NumberOfTestCasesWithCivilActions**Namespace Prefix:**pfe_**Data Type:**xbrli:integerItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The ratio of settled actions to total actions for a specific issue.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pfe_PercentageOfActionsSettled**Namespace Prefix:**pfe_**Data Type:**num:percentItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Period of Exclusivity
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pfe_PeriodOfExclusivity**Namespace Prefix:**pfe_**Data Type:**xbrli:durationItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Unresolved Actions, Years Outstanding
+ References
No definition available.
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount of judgment or settlement awarded to (against) the entity in respect of litigation.
+ References
No definition available.
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| X                                                                                                                                                              |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount charged against operating income increasing loss contingency liability, after adjustments to reduce previously estimated charges.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount of damages awarded to the plaintiff in the legal matter.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14435-108349Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14557-108349
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
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.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Number of pending claims pertaining to a loss contingency.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14435-108349
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The amount of loss reported during the period pertaining to product liability.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349
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