Adoption of New Accounting Standards Accounts payable Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts Other taxes payable Accumulated other comprehensive loss Acquisition-related costs [Member] Acquisition-related costs [Member] Item represents the number of employees terminated to date resulting from cost-reduction initiatives. Actual Employees Terminated The additional amortization expense related to the fair value of identifiable assets acquired included in the proforma results. Additional amortization of intangible assets Additional collateral Additional depreciation asset restructuring represents the impact of changes in the estimated useful lives of assets involved in restructuring actions. Additional depreciation - asset restructuring Additional Depreciation Asset Restructuring Abstract Additional depreciation - asset restructuring [Abstract] Additional depreciation asset restructuring [Member] Additional depreciation asset restructuring [Member] The additional depreciation expense related to the fair value adjustment to property, plant and equipment acquired included in the proforma results. Additional depreciation expense Additional paid-in capital Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income Loss Before Allocation To Noncontrolling Interests To Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net income before allocation to noncontrolling interests to net cash provided by operating activities: Alliance revenues [Member] Alliance revenues [Member] All other [Member] All Other Biopharmaceutical Products [Member] Amendment Flag American Optical Corp subsidiary of Warner-Lambert [Member] American Optical Corp subsidiary of Warner-Lambert [Member] Amortization of: [Abstract] Amortization of: Amortization of intangible assets Animal Health and Consumer Healthcare [Member] Animal Health and Consumer Healthcare [Member] Animal Health [Member] Animal Health [Member] Stock options that had exercise prices greater than the average market price of our common stock issuable under employee compensation plans Aricept [Member] Aricept [Member] Aromasin [Member] Aromasin [Member] Arthrotec [Member] Arthrotec [Member] Other asset-backed securities [Member] Asset write-offs and impairment charges Certain asset impairment charges 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. Certain asset impairment charges Asset impairments [Member] Asset impairments [Member] The amount by which an asset was decreased during the period by a reclassification adjustment. Asset Reclassification Amount Decrease The amount by which an asset was increased during the period by a reclassification adjustment. Asset Reclassification Amount Increase Total assets Total assets Assets Total current assets Total current assets Assets of discontinued operations and other assets held for sale Assets of discontinued operations and other assets held for sale This item represents equity securities excluding money market funds categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading. Equity securities excluding money market funds represent ownership interests or the right to acquire ownership interests in corporations and other legal entities which ownership interest is represented by shares of common or preferred stock (which is not mandatorily redeemable or redeemable at the option of the holder), convertible securities, stock rights, or stock warrants. Unrealized gains and losses related to Available-for-sale Securities are excluded from earnings and reported in a separate component of shareholders' equity (other comprehensive income), unless the Available-for-sale Security is designated as a hedge or is determined to have had an other than temporary decline in fair value below its amortized cost basis. All or a portion of the unrealized holding gain or loss of an Available-for-sale Security that is designated as being hedged in a fair value hedge shall be recognized in earnings during the period of the hedge, as should other than temporary declines in fair value below costs basis. Available - for - sale equity securities, excluding money market funds [Member] This item represents equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading. Money market funds represent ownership in debt instruments. If money markets funds are determined to have had an other than temporary decline in fair value below its amortized cost basis the loss shall be recognized in earnings. Available - for - sale money market funds [Member] Available - for - sale debt securities maturities over 1 to 5 years Available - for - sale debt securities maturities over 10 years Available - for - sale debt securities maturities within 1 year Available - for - sale debt securities maturities total Available - for - sale debt securities maturities total This item represents equity securities excluding money market funds categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading. Equity securities excluding money market funds represent ownership interests or the right to acquire ownership interests in corporations and other legal entities which ownership interest is represented by shares of common or preferred stock (which is not mandatorily redeemable or redeemable at the option of the holder), convertible securities, stock rights, or stock warrants. Unrealized gains and losses related to Available-for-sale Securities are excluded from earnings and reported in a separate component of shareholders' equity (other comprehensive income), unless the Available-for-sale Security is designated as a hedge or is determined to have had an other than temporary decline in fair value below its amortized cost basis. All or a portion of the unrealized holding gain or loss of an Available-for-sale Security that is designated as being hedged in a fair value hedge shall be recognized in earnings during the period of the hedge, as should other than temporary declines in fair value below costs basis. Available - for - sale equity securities, excluding money market funds Available - for - sale debt securities [Member] Basis of Presentation [Line Items] Basis of Presentation [Line Items] Basis of Presentation [Table] Basis of Presentation [Table] Bene F I X [Member] BeneFIX [Member] Biopharmaceutical [Member] Biopharmaceutical [Member] B M P 2 [Member] BMP2 [Member] Represents the percent of common shares acquired. Percent of outstanding shares initially acquired Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Represents the additional payments in cash for remaining outstanding shares for the acquisition. Acquisition price for remaining outstanding shares Business Acquisition [Axis] Acquisition purchase price paid The per share amount of the total cost to be paid for the acquired entity. Acquisition purchase price per share Business Acquisition [Line Items] Time period of King's operations included in parent's financial statements Diluted earnings per share attributable to Pfizer Inc. common shareholders Schedule of Pro Forma Information Related to the Acquisition [Table Text Block] Business Acquisition Secondary [Axis] Business Acquisition Secondary [Axis] Business Acquisition Secondary [Domain] Business Acquisition Secondary [Domain] Net income attributable to Pfizer Inc. common shareholders Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue Revenues Gross contractual amount receivable This element represents external costs directly related to effecting a business combination which costs have been expensed during the period. Such costs include advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, and other similar services. Transaction costs Total consideration transferred Acquisition of King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Integration costs Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Revenue of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual Revenues Business Combination Pro Forma Results [Member] Pro Forma Consolidated Results [Member] The amount of in process research and development recognized as of the acquisition date. Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed In Process Research And Development In-process research and development Identifiable intangible assets, excluding in-process research and development Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Inventory Inventories Total identifiable net assets Total identifiable net assets The amount of net tax accounts recognized as of the acquisition date. Net tax accounts Net tax accounts Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment Property, plant and equipment The amount of working capital, excluding inventories, recognized as of the acquisition date. Working capital, excluding inventories Net assets acquired Net assets acquired The amount of all other assets and liabilities recognized as of the acquisition date. All other long-term assets and liabilities, net Caduet [Member] Caduet [Member] Canadian Federal Tax Authority [Member] Canadian federal tax authority [Member] Capsugel [Member] Capsugel [Member] Cardura [Member] Cardura [Member] Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents Net increase in cash and cash equivalents Net increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Celebrex [Member] Celebrex [Member] Certain significant items [Member] Certain significant items [Member] This category includes information about certificates of deposit and other held to maturity debt securities not separately identified. Certificates of deposit and other [Member] Certificates of deposit [Member] Change in Product Status [Member] Change in Product Status [Member] Chantix / Champix [Member] Chantix / Champix [Member] Posted collateral Commercial Paper [Member] Commitments and Contingencies Cash dividends paid per common share (in dollars per share) Common stock Employee benefit trusts Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Comprehensive income attributable to Pfizer Inc. Comprehensive income attributable to Pfizer Inc. Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests Total comprehensive income before allocation to noncontrolling interests Total comprehensive income before allocation to noncontrolling interests Comprehensive Income/(Loss) Concentration risk maximum exposure Consumer Healthcare [Member] Consumer Healthcare [Member] Corporate debt [Member] Corporate [Member] Corporate [Member] Cost of sales Purchase accounting adjustment for estimated sales of acquisition-date inventory at fair value Cost of Sales [Member] Description of cost-reduction and productivity initiatives associated with a comprehensive plan to integrate acquired operations, generate cost savings and capture synergies across the company; as well as costs incurred in connection with an acquisition. These costs include (i) restructuring activities, including exit and disposal activities, the major types of costs associated with the plan activities and the accrual balance at the end of the period; (ii) integration costs, which represent external, incremental costs directly related to integrating acquired businesses; (iii) implementation costs, which represent external, incremental costs directly related to implementing cost-reduction initiatives prior to acquisition and primarily include expenditures related to system and process standardization and the expansion of shared services; (iv) additional depreciation-asset restructuring, which represents the impact of changes in the estimated useful lives of assets involved in restructuring actions; and (v) transaction costs, representing external costs incurred in connection with an acquisition. Costs Associated with Cost-Reduction and Productivity Initiatives and Acquisition Activity The charge against earnings during the period associated with cost reduction and productivity initiatives, excluding such charges that pertain to acquisition activities. Restructuring charges and implementation costs associated with cost-reduction and productivity initiatives, excluding acquisition-related costs Costs incurred in connection with the Company's cost-reduction initiatives and business acquisitions. Total costs associated with cost-reduction and productivity initiatives and acquisition activity Total costs associated with cost-reduction and productivity initiatives and acquisition activity Costs and expenses: The date or period in which a motion was filed with a court. Notice of appeal and related motion Court Settlement Rejection And Entity Motion To Appeal [Member] Court settlement rejection and Pfizer motion to appeal [Member] Credit Risk Contract [Member] Credit Risk Derivatives [Abstract] The cumulative amount of loss reported in prior years pertaining to product liability. Cumulative product liability charges in prior years This element represents (i) the current portion of deferred tax liabilities, which result from applying the applicable tax rate to net taxable temporary differences pertaining to each jurisdiction to which the entity is obligated to pay income tax. A current taxable temporary difference is a difference between the tax basis and the carrying amount of a current asset or liability in the financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. In a classified statement of financial position, an enterprise shall separate deferred tax liabilities and assets into a current amount and a noncurrent amount. Deferred tax liabilities and assets shall be classified as current or noncurrent based on the classification of the related asset or liability for financial reporting. A deferred tax liability or asset that is not related to an asset or liability for financial reporting, including deferred tax assets related to carryforwards, shall be classified according to the expected reversal date of the temporary difference; and (ii) the aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of current obligations not separately disclosed in the balance sheet due to materiality considerations. Current liabilities are expected to be paid within one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). Current deferred tax liabilities and other current liabilities Other current liabilities Current Fiscal Year End Date Dalacin / Cleocin [Member] Dalacin / Cleocin [Member] Short-term borrowings, carried at historical proceeds, as adjusted Short-term borrowings, including current portion of long-term debt This item represents the total of all debt securities grouped by maturity dates. Total debt securities Total debt securities This item represents debt securities which are expected to mature after one year and through five years from the balance sheet date. Debt securities maturities over 1 to 5 years This item represents debt securities which are expected to mature after ten years from the balance sheet date. Debt securities maturities over 10 years This item represents debt securities which are expected to mature within one year of the balance sheet date. Debt securities maturities within 1 year Debt Security [Axis] Deferred Income Taxes and Other Assets, Current Taxes and other current assets Deferred Income Taxes and Other Assets, Noncurrent Taxes and other noncurrent assets Deferred taxes from continuing operations The component of income tax expense for the period representing the increase (decrease) in the entity's deferred tax assets and liabilities pertaining to discontinued operations. Other deferred taxes Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities Pension benefit obligations Actuarial losses Actuarial losses Prior service (credits)/costs Contributions Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Expected contributions in next fiscal year Expected return on plan assets Expected return on plan assets Interest cost Net periodic benefit costs Net periodic benefit costs Special termination benefits Curtailments and settlements-net Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Disclosures [Axis] Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Domain] Service cost Depreciation and amortization Depreciation In Asset Restructuring Costs By Income Statement Caption [Axis] Depreciation In Asset Restructuring Costs By Income Statement Caption [Axis] Derivative assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis Derivative Contract Type [Domain] Instruments used as offsets (assets) Instruments used as offsets (liabilities) Financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis Derivative Instrument Risk [Axis] Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities [Abstract] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Hedging Relationship [Axis] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Hedging Relationship, by Income Statement Location, by Derivative Instrument Risk [Table] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Income Statement Location [Axis] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] Derivative Financial Instruments Gains/(Losses) Reclassified from OCI into OID Derivative Financial Instruments Gains/(Losses) Recognized in OID Derivative Financial Instruments Gains/(Losses) Recognized in OCI Derivative Instruments Issued By Counterparties [Member] Aggregate fair value of net derivative liabilities Detrol Detrol L A [Member] Detrol / Detrol LA [Member] Developed Europe [Member] Developed Europe [Member] Developed Rest Of World [Member] Developed Rest Of World [Member] Developed Technology Rights [Member] Diflucan [Member] Diflucan [Member] Disclosure - Acquisition of King Pharmaceuticals Inc - Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Abstract] Disclosure - Acquisition of King Pharmaceuticals Inc - Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Abstract] Disclosure - Acquisition of King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Narrative [Abstract] Disclosure - Acquisition of King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Narrative [Abstract] Disclosure - Acquisition of King Pharmaceuticals Inc - Pro Forma Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Acquisition of King Pharmaceuticals Inc - Pro Forma Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Basis of Presentation Narrative [Abstract] Disclosure - Basis of Presentation Narrative [Abstract] Disclosure - Comprehensive Income/(Loss) [Abstract] Disclosure - Comprehensive Income/(Loss) [Abstract] Disclosure - Costs Associated with Cost-Reduction and Productivity Initiatives and Acquisition Activity [Abstract] Disclosure - Costs Associated with Cost-Reduction and Productivity Initiatives and Acquisition Activity [Abstract] Disclosure - Costs Associated with Cost-Reduction and Productivity Initiatives and Acquisition Activity - Restructuring Charges [Abstract] Disclosure - Costs Associated with Cost-Reduction and Productivity Initiatives and Acquisition Activity - Restructuring Charges [Abstract] Disclosure - Discontinued Operations - Assets of Discontinued Operations and Other Assets Held For Sale and Liabilities of Discontinued Operations in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Disclosure - Discontinued Operations - Assets of Discontinued Operations and Other Assets Held For Sale and Liabilities of Discontinued Operations in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Disclosure - Discontinued Operations Narrative [Abstract] Disclosure - Discontinued Operations Narrative [Abstract] Disclosure - Discontinued Operations - Net of Tax in Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract] Disclosure - Discontinued Operations - Net of Tax in Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract] Disclosure - Earnings Per Share Attributable to Common Shareholders - Basic Numerator [Abstract] Disclosure - Earnings Per Share Attributable to Common Shareholders - Basic Numerator [Abstract] Disclosure - Earnings Per Share Attributable to Common Shareholders - Diluted Numerator [Abstract] Disclosure - Earnings Per Share Attributable to Common Shareholders - Diluted Numerator [Abstract] Disclosure - Financial Instruments Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Abstract] Disclosure - Financial Instruments Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Abstract] Disclosure - Financial Instruments by Balance Sheet Grouping [Abstract] Disclosure - Financial Instruments by Balance Sheet Grouping [Abstract] Disclosure - Financial Instruments - Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities [Abstract] Disclosure - Financial Instruments - Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities [Abstract] Disclosure - Financial Instruments - Investments in Debt Securities [Abstract] Disclosure - Financial Instruments - Investments in Debt Securities [Abstract] Disclosure - Financial Instruments Narrative [Abstract] Disclosure - Financial Instruments Narrative [Abstract] Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Finite-lived and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Abstract] Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Finite-lived and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Abstract] Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets-Goodwill [Abstract] Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets-Goodwill [Abstract] Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Narrative [Abstract] Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Narrative [Abstract] Disclosure - Inventories [Abstract] Disclosure - Inventories [Abstract] Disclosure - Legal Proceedings and Contingencies Narrative [Abstract] Disclosure - Legal Proceedings and Contingencies Narrative [Abstract] Disclosure - Other (Income)/Deductions - Net [Abstract] Disclosure - Other (Income)/Deductions - Net [Abstract] Disclosure - Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans [Abstract] Disclosure - Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans [Abstract] Disclosure - Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans Narrative [Abstract] Disclosure - Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans Narrative [Abstract] Disclosure - Segment, Product and Geographic Area Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Segment, Product and Geographic Area Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Segment, Product and Geographic Area Information Narrative [Abstract] Disclosure - Segment, Product and Geographic Area Information Narrative [Abstract] Disclosure - Segment, Product and Geographic Area Information - Revenues By Geographic Area [Abstract] Disclosure - Segment, Product and Geographic Area Information - Revenues By Geographic Area [Abstract]