The increase (decrease) in cumulative translation adjustment before transfers included in determining net income.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 830
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
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This item represents an other than temporary decline in value that has been recognized against an investment accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the investment represents the amount of the write down which is or was reflected in earnings. The written down value is a new cost basis with the adjusted value of the investment becoming its new carrying value subject to the equity accounting method. Evidence of a loss in value might include, but would not necessarily be limited to, absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment or inability of the investee to sustain an earnings capacity which would justify the carrying amount of the investment.

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- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

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Amount of the entity's equity method investment which has been sold.

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Fair value portion of investments accounted under the equity method.

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This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Number of shares of affiliates held for management investment companies.

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

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This item represents the carrying amount exceeded its proportionate share of the net assets of an equity method investee.

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Equity Method Investments, Percent Of Investment Sold

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Period of reporting lag for availability of financial information.

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Equity method investments - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	May 31, 2018	May 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2017
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity earnings (losses)	$ 15	$ (21)	$ 42	$ 7
AmerisourceBergen
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Outstanding shares owned (in shares)	56,854,867		56,854,867		56,854,867
Ownership percentage	26.00%		26.00%		26.00%
Period of reporting lag			2 months
Equity investment, exceeded its proportionate share of net assets	$ 4,200		$ 4,200
AmerisourceBergen \| Level 1
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Fair market value of equity investment	4,700		4,700
Other Investments
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity earnings (losses)	$ 15	$ (21)	42	$ 7
Guangzhou Pharmaceuticals Corporation
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investments, percent of investment sold	30.00%
Equity method investment, amount sold	$ 172
Cumulative translation adjustment loss	$ 8
Other income (expense) \| Guangzhou Pharmaceuticals Corporation
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investments impairment			$ 170