Discontinued operations - schedules of results from discontinued operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 01, 2021	Aug. 31, 2021	Aug. 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Net earnings from discontinued operations		$ 557	$ 286	$ 172
Gain on sale of business		322	0	0
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Assets, Current [Abstract]
Assets of discontinued operations - current		0	4,979
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Assets of discontinued operations - non-current		0	4,983
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Liabilities of discontinued operations - current		0	5,347
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Liabilities of discontinued operations - non-current		0	412
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale | Alliance Healthcare
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Sales		16,070	19,349	18,618
Cost of sales		14,486	17,409	16,701
Gross profit		1,584	1,940	1,917
Selling, general and administrative expense		1,254	1,610	1,685
Operating income from discontinued operations		329	330	232
Other income (expense)		314
Other income (expense)			(8)	(11)
Interest expense, net		(23)	(25)	(54)
Earnings before income tax – discontinued operations		621	297	168
Income tax provision		78	21	11
Post tax earnings from other equity method investments		15	10	15
Net earnings from discontinued operations		557	286	172
Divestiture related costs	$ 44
Gain on sale of business	$ 322
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Sales		16,070	19,349	18,618
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations [Abstract]
Cash (used in) provided by operating activities - discontinued operations		(132)	334	302
Cash (used in) provided by for investing activities - discontinued operations		(58)	(80)	(97)
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale | Alliance Healthcare | Continuing Operations
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Sales		1,385	1,794	1,826
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Sales		1,385	1,794	$ 1,826
Discontinued Operations, Held-for-sale | Alliance Healthcare
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Assets, Current [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents		0	47
Accounts receivable, net		0	3,022
Inventories		0	1,534
Other current assets		0	376
Assets of discontinued operations - current		0	4,979
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, net		0	816
Goodwill and intangibles		0	3,936
Other non-current assets		0	230
Assets of discontinued operations - non-current		0	4,983
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Short term debt		0	273
Trade accounts payables		0	4,313
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		0	746
Income taxes		0	14
Liabilities of discontinued operations - current		0	5,347
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Deferred income taxes		0	131
Other non-current liabilities		0	280
Liabilities of discontinued operations - non-current		$ 0	$ 412