Goodwill and other intangible assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2022

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of goodwill

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment consist of the following activity (in millions):

Goodwill roll forward:	U.S. Retail Pharmacy		International		U.S. Healthcare		Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
August 31, 2020	$	10,553	$	1,460	$	—	$	12,013
Acquisitions 1	394		21		—		414
Currency translation adjustments	—		(7)		—		(7)
August 31, 2021	$	10,947	$	1,474	$	—	$	12,421
Acquisitions 1	$	—	$	—	$	10,040	$	10,040
Currency translation adjustments	—		(181)		—		(181)
August 31, 2022	$	10,947	$	1,293	$	10,040	$	22,280

1    In fiscal 2021, the Company acquired controlling equity interests in Innovation Associates, Inc. and a joint venture with McKesson which resulted in an increase to goodwill of $394 million and $21 million, respectively. In fiscal 2022, the Company acquired controlling equity interests in VillageMD, Shields and CareCentrix which resulted in an increase to goodwill of $8.0 billion, $1.5 billion and $454 million, respectively.

Schedule of finite-lived intangible assets by major class

The carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets consist of the following (in millions):

Intangible assets:	August 31, 2022		August 31, 2021
Gross amortizable intangible assets
Customer relationships and loyalty card holders 1	$	4,619	$	3,522
Primary care provider network	1,247		—
Trade names and trademarks	760		361
Developed technology 2	436		156
Purchasing and payor contracts	15		317
Others 2	78		65
Total gross amortizable intangible assets	$	7,155	$	4,421
Accumulated amortization
Customer relationships and loyalty card holders 1	$	1,548	$	1,335
Primary care provider network	64		—
Trade names and trademarks	246		226
Developed technology 2	56		8
Purchasing and payor contracts	4		227
Others 2	35		29
Total accumulated amortization	1,953		1,826
Total amortizable intangible assets, net	$	5,202	$	2,595
Indefinite-lived intangible assets
Trade names and trademarks	$	4,319	$	5,276
Pharmacy licenses	1,209		2,066
Total indefinite-lived intangible assets	$	5,528	$	7,342
Total intangible assets, net	$	10,730	$	9,936

1Includes purchased prescription files.

2Includes certain reclassifications to conform to current period presentation.

Schedule of finite-lived intangible assets, future amortization expense

Estimated future annual amortization expense for the next five fiscal years for intangible assets recorded at August 31, 2022 is as follows (in millions):

	2023		2024		2025		2026		2027
Estimated annual amortization expense	$	610	$	591	$	558	$	540	$	478