| **Segment, Geographic and Other Revenue Information - Revenues By Products (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)In Millions, unless otherwise specified** | 3 Months Ended |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------|
||
| **Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]**                                                                                                      |           |   |
| Gains (Losses) on Sales of Assets                                                                                                                    | $ 490          | $ 0 |
| Lipitor [Member]                                                                                                                                     |           |   |
| **Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]**                                                                                                      |           |   |
| Loss in revenue in comparison with 2011                                                                                                              | 792            |   |
| Hisun Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd [Member] | Pfizer [Member]                                                                                      |           |   |
| **Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]**                                                                                                      |           |   |
| Gains (Losses) on Sales of Assets                                                                                                                    | $ 490          |   |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The reduction in revenue due to the loss of exclusivity of marketing right for a drug.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**pfe_ReductionInRevenuesDueToLossOfExclusivity**Namespace Prefix:**pfe_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_EntityWideInformationRevenueFromExternalCustomerLineItems**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:stringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The net gain (loss) resulting from the sale, transfer, termination, or other disposition of assets during the period, excluding transactions involving capital leases, assets-held- or available-for-lease, and other real estate owned which, to the extent appropriate, are included in gains (losses) on the disposition of assets in nonoperating income (expense).
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_GainsLossesOnSalesOfAssets**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**duration |