Discontinued operations - Schedules of Discontinued Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2022	May 31, 2021	May 31, 2022	May 31, 2021
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Net earnings from discontinued operations	$ 0	$ 95	$ 0	$ 289
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale | Alliance Healthcare
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Sales		5,500		16,070
Cost of sales		4,956		14,486
Gross profit		544		1,584
Selling, general and administrative expense		394		1,211
Operating income from discontinued operations		150		373
Other expense		(2)		(7)
Interest expense, net		(13)		(23)
Earnings before income tax – discontinued operations		135		342
Income tax provision		44		68
Post tax earnings from other equity method investments		4		15
Net earnings from discontinued operations		95		289
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Sales		5,500		16,070
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations [Abstract]
Cash used for operating activities - discontinued operations				(132)
Cash used for investing activities - discontinued operations				(58)
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale | Alliance Healthcare | Continuing Operations
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Sales		471		1,385
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Sales		$ 471		$ 1,385