Name:	pfe_ImplementationCosts
Namespace Prefix:	pfe_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Restructuring, Asset Impairment Charges

No definition available.

Name:	pfe_RestructuringAssetImpairmentCharges
Namespace Prefix:	pfe_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Restructuring Charges, Acquisition Related Costs and Implementation Costs

No definition available.

Name:	pfe_RestructuringChargesAcquisitionRelatedCostsandImplementationCosts
Namespace Prefix:	pfe_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

This element represents (i) restructuring charges, which are amounts charged against earnings in the period for incurred and estimated costs associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructurings pursuant to a program that is planned and controlled by management, and materially changes either the scope of a business undertaken by an entity, or the manner in which that business is conducted; and (ii) acquisition-related costs, which are costs incurred to effect a business combination which costs have been expensed during the period. Such costs can include transaction costs such as banking, legal, accounting and other costs directly related to effect a business combination as well as external, incremental costs of integration planning that are directly related to a business combination, including costs associated with preparing for systems and other integration activities.

No definition available.

Name:	pfe_RestructuringChargesAndAcquisitionRelatedCosts
Namespace Prefix:	pfe_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of expense for integration-related cost incurred in connection with business combination. Includes system integration and conversion costs; severance and other employee-related costs; restructuring and other post-combination costs. Excludes acquisition-related cost incurred to effect business combination; cost to issue debt or equity securities; and cost related to acquisition of asset.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479328/805-10-50-7

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationIntegrationRelatedCosts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of expenses associated with exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Includes, but is not limited to, one-time termination benefits, termination of an operating lease or other contract, consolidating or closing facilities, and relocating employees, and termination benefits associated with an ongoing benefit arrangement. Excludes expenses associated with special or contractual termination benefits, a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessExitCosts1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of net periodic benefit cost (credit) for defined benefit plan.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (q)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480506/715-20-50-5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 55
-Paragraph 17
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480482/715-20-55-17

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 55
-Paragraph 18
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480482/715-20-55-18

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (h)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480506/715-20-50-1

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-Subparagraph (a)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480506/715-20-50-6

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of loss from reductions in inventory due to subsequent measurement adjustments, including, but not limited to, physical deterioration, obsolescence, or changes in price levels.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 330
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483080/330-10-50-2

Name:	us-gaap_InventoryWriteDown
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of expenses associated with exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Excludes expenses related to a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-SubTopic 10
-Topic 230
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482740/230-10-45-28

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 40
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 55
-Paragraph 18
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147476153/220-40-55-18

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.P.4.b.1)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479823/420-10-S99-2

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482047/420-10-45-3

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.P.3)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479823/420-10-S99-1

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 40
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 21
-Subparagraph (e)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147476148/220-40-50-21

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 40
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-Subparagraph (b)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147476148/220-40-50-6

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringChargesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Amount of accelerated depreciation charged against earnings associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructuring plan.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringReserveAcceleratedDepreciation
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of expenses for special or contractual termination benefits provided to current employees involuntarily terminated under a benefit arrangement associated exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Excludes expenses related to one-time termination benefits, a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

Name:	us-gaap_SeveranceCosts1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=pfe_BiopharmaSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis=pfe_ManufacturingOptimizationProgramMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis=pfe_RealigningOurCostBaseProgramMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_StatementOfIncomeLocationBalanceAxis=us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_StatementOfIncomeLocationBalanceAxis=us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_StatementOfIncomeLocationBalanceAxis=us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentExpenseExcludingAcquiredInProcessCost
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: