Discontinued operations - Schedules of Discontinued Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021	Nov. 30, 2020
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Net earnings from discontinued operations	$ 0	$ 87
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale | Alliance Healthcare
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Sales		5,327
Cost of sales		4,818
Gross profit		509
Selling, general and administrative expense		415
Operating income from discontinued operations		94
Other expense		(2)
Interest expense, net		(4)
Earnings before income tax – discontinued operations		88
Income tax provision		8
Post tax earnings from other equity method investments		7
Net earnings from discontinued operations		87
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Sales		5,327
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations [Abstract]
Cash used in operating activities - discontinued operations		(45)
Cash used for investing activities - discontinued operations		(19)
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale | Alliance Healthcare | Continuing Operations
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Sales		458
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Sales		$ 458