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Label Element Value
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Document Type dei_DocumentType 485BPOS
Document Period End Date dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate Aug. 31, 2011
Registrant Name dei_EntityRegistrantName PUTNAM GLOBAL HEALTH CARE FUND
Central Index Key dei_EntityCentralIndexKey 0000357295
Amendment Flag dei_AmendmentFlag false
Document Creation Date dei_DocumentCreationDate Dec. 29, 2011
Document Effective Date dei_DocumentEffectiveDate Dec. 30, 2011
Prospectus Date rr_ProspectusDate Dec. 30, 2011
Putnam Global Health Care Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading PUTNAM GLOBAL HEALTH CARE FUND
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Goal
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock Putnam Global Health Care Fund seeks capital appreciation.
Fees and expenses pghcf357295_FundFeesAndExpensesAbstract  
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and expenses
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 57 of the fund’s prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund’s statement of additional information (SAI).
Expense Breakpoint Discounts pghcf357295_ExpenseBreakpointDiscountsAbstract  
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text] rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscounts You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 57 of the fund’s prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund’s statement of additional information (SAI).
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount] rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount 50,000
Shareholder fees rr_ShareholderFeesAbstract  
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text] rr_ShareholderFeesCaption Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Annual fund operating expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual fund operating expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Expense Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock The following hypothetical example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then, except as indicated, redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. It assumes a 5% return on your investment each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.
Portfolio turnover pghcf357295_PortfolioTurnoverAltAbstract  
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock The fund pays transaction-related costs when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when the fund’s shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or the above example, affect fund performance. The fund’s turnover rate in the most recent fiscal year was 35%.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 35.00%
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Investments
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock For this non-diversified fund concentrating in the health care industries, we invest mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of large and midsize companies worldwide that we believe have favorable investment potential. Potential investments include companies that manufacture health care supplies or provide health care-related services, and companies in the research, development, production and marketing of pharmaceuticals and biotechnology products. We may purchase stocks of companies with stock prices that reflect a value lower than that which we place on the company. We also consider other factors that we believe will cause the stock price to rise. We may consider, among other factors, a company’s valuation, financial strength, growth potential, competitive position in its industry, projected future earnings, cash flows and dividends when deciding whether to buy or sell investments. We may also use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes, and may engage in short sales of securities.
Strategy Portfolio Concentration [Text] rr_StrategyPortfolioConcentration For this non-diversified fund concentrating in the health care industries, we invest mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of large and midsize companies worldwide that we believe have favorable investment potential.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

The prices of stocks in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including both general financial market conditions and factors related to a specific company or industry. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments, and value stocks may fail to rebound. These risks are generally greater for small and midsize companies. The health care industries may be affected by technological obsolescence, changes in regulatory approval policies for drugs, medical devices or procedures and changes in governmental and private payment systems. Our policy of concentrating on a limited group of industries and the fund’s “non-diversified” status, which means the fund may invest in fewer issuers than a “diversified fund,” can increase the fund’s vulnerability to adverse developments affecting a single industry or issuer, which may result in greater losses and volatility for the fund. The value of international investments traded in foreign currencies may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates. International investments may carry risks associated with potentially less stable economies or governments, such as the risk of seizure by a foreign government, the imposition of currency or other restrictions, or high levels of inflation or deflation. International investments, particularly emerging-market investments, can be illiquid. Our use of derivatives may increase these risks by increasing investment exposure or, in the case of many over-the-counter instruments, because of the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions and the potential failure of the other party to the instrument to meet its obligations. Our use of short selling may result in losses if the securities appreciate in value.

The fund may not achieve its goal, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus Our policy of concentrating on a limited group of industries and the fund’s “non-diversified” status, which means the fund may invest in fewer issuers than a “diversified fund,” can increase the fund’s vulnerability to adverse developments affecting a single industry or issuer, which may result in greater losses and volatility for the fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Performance pghcf357295_FundPastPerformanceAbstract  
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time. The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower. Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. Monthly performance figures for the fund are available at putnam.com.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time.
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results.
Performance Table Closing [Text Block] rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock Monthly performance figures for the fund are available at putnam.com.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress putnam.com
Annual Total Returns rr_BarChartTableAbstract  
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Year-to-date performance

through 9/30/11

-8.11%

Best calender quarter

Q3 2010

12.45%

Worst calender quarter

Q1 2001

-22.70%
Year to Date Return, Label rr_YearToDateReturnLabel Year-to-date performance
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn (8.11%)
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best calender quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2010
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 12.45%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst calender quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Mar. 31, 2001
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (22.70%)
Average Annual Total Return rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Caption rr_AverageAnnualReturnCaption Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ending 12/31/10)
Performance Table Narrative rr_PerformanceTableNarrativeTextBlock

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes. These after-tax returns do not apply if you hold your fund shares through a 401(k) plan, an IRA, or another tax-advantaged arrangement.

Class B share performance does not reflect conversion to class A shares.
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes.
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown.
Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text] rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes.
Putnam Global Health Care Fund | Class A
  
Shareholder fees rr_ShareholderFeesAbstract  
Share class rr_ShareholderFeesColumnName Class A
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice 5.75%
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther 1.00% [1]
Redemption fee (as a percentage of total redemption proceeds) rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption 1.00%
Annual fund operating expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Share class rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class A
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.63%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.38%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.26%
Expense Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Share class rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class A
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 696
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 952
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,227
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,010
Annual Total Returns rr_BarChartTableAbstract  
2001 rr_AnnualReturn2001 (19.84%)
2002 rr_AnnualReturn2002 (20.38%)
2003 rr_AnnualReturn2003 18.50%
2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 7.15%
2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 13.56%
2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 2.99%
2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 (0.63%)
2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (17.12%)
2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 25.17%
2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 2.06%
Putnam Global Health Care Fund | Class B
  
Shareholder fees rr_ShareholderFeesAbstract  
Share class rr_ShareholderFeesColumnName Class B
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther 5.00% [2]
Redemption fee (as a percentage of total redemption proceeds) rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption 1.00%
Annual fund operating expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Share class rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class B
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.63%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.38%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 2.01%
Expense Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Share class rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class B
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 704
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 930
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,283
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,144
Expense Example, No Redemption rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionAbstract  
Share class rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionByYearColumnName Class B (no redemption)
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 204
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 630
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,083
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 2,144
Putnam Global Health Care Fund | Class C
  
Shareholder fees rr_ShareholderFeesAbstract  
Share class rr_ShareholderFeesColumnName Class C
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther 1.00% [3]
Redemption fee (as a percentage of total redemption proceeds) rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption 1.00%
Annual fund operating expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Share class rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class C
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.63%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.38%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 2.01%
Expense Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Share class rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class C
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 304
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 630
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,083
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,338
Expense Example, No Redemption rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionAbstract  
Share class rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionByYearColumnName Class C (no redemption)
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 204
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 630
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,083
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 2,338
Putnam Global Health Care Fund | Class M
  
Shareholder fees rr_ShareholderFeesAbstract  
Share class rr_ShareholderFeesColumnName Class M
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice 3.50%
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther 0.65% [1]
Redemption fee (as a percentage of total redemption proceeds) rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption 1.00%
Annual fund operating expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Share class rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class M
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.63%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.75%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.38%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.76%
Expense Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Share class rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class M
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 523
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 885
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,271
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,351
Putnam Global Health Care Fund | Class R
  
Shareholder fees rr_ShareholderFeesAbstract  
Share class rr_ShareholderFeesColumnName Class R
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none
Redemption fee (as a percentage of total redemption proceeds) rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption 1.00%
Annual fund operating expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Share class rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class R
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.63%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.50%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.38%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.51%
Expense Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Share class rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class R
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 154
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 477
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 824
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,802
Putnam Global Health Care Fund | Class Y
  
Shareholder fees rr_ShareholderFeesAbstract  
Share class rr_ShareholderFeesColumnName Class Y
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none
Redemption fee (as a percentage of total redemption proceeds) rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption 1.00%
Annual fund operating expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Share class rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class Y
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.63%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets   
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.38%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.01%
Expense Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Share class rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class Y
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 103
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 322
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 558
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,236
Putnam Global Health Care Fund | before taxes | Class A
  
Average Annual Total Return rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Share class rr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnName Class A
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel before taxes
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (3.80%)
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 0.42%
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 (0.62%)
Putnam Global Health Care Fund | before taxes | Class B
  
Average Annual Total Return rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Share class rr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnName Class B
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel before taxes
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (3.39%)
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 0.60%
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 (0.78%)
Putnam Global Health Care Fund | before taxes | Class C
  
Average Annual Total Return rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Share class rr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnName Class C
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel before taxes
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.37%
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 0.86%
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 (0.77%)
Putnam Global Health Care Fund | before taxes | Class M
  
Average Annual Total Return rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Share class rr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnName Class M
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel before taxes
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (1.98%)
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 0.40%
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 (0.88%)
Putnam Global Health Care Fund | before taxes | Class R
  
Average Annual Total Return rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Share class rr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnName Class R
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel before taxes
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.82%
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.37%
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 (0.27%)
Putnam Global Health Care Fund | before taxes | Class Y
  
Average Annual Total Return rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Share class rr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnName Class Y
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel before taxes
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.32%
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.88%
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 0.22%
Putnam Global Health Care Fund | after taxes on distributions | Class A
  
Average Annual Total Return rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Share class rr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnName Class A
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel after taxes on distributions
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (4.69%)
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (0.78%)
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 (1.52%)
Putnam Global Health Care Fund | after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares | Class A
  
Average Annual Total Return rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Share class rr_AverageAnnualReturnColumnName Class A
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (1.28%)
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 0.24%
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 (0.66%)
Putnam Global Health Care Fund | MSCI World Health Care Index (ND)
  
Average Annual Total Return rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel MSCI World Health Care Index (ND)
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text] rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes other than withholding taxes on reinvested dividends)
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.41%
5 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.88%
10 years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 0.76%
[1] Applies only to certain redemptions of shares bought with no initial sales charge.
[2] This charge is phased out over six years.
[3] This charge is eliminated after one year.