Discontinued operations - schedules of results from discontinued operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 01, 2021	Aug. 31, 2022	Aug. 31, 2021	Aug. 31, 2020
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Net earnings from discontinued operations		$ 0	$ 557	$ 286
Gain on sale of business		$ 0	322	0
Discontinued operations, disposed of by sale | Alliance Healthcare
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Sales			16,070	19,349
Cost of sales			14,486	17,409
Gross profit			1,584	1,940
Selling, general and administrative expense			1,254	1,610
Operating income from discontinued operations			329	330
Other income (expense)			314
Other income (expense)				(8)
Interest expense, net			(23)	(25)
Earnings before income tax – discontinued operations			621	297
Income tax provision			78	21
Post tax earnings from other equity method investments			15	10
Net earnings from discontinued operations			557	286
Divestiture related costs	$ 44
Gain on sale of business	$ 322
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Sales			16,070	19,349
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations [Abstract]
Cash (used for) provided by operating activities - discontinued operations			(132)	334
Cash used for investing activities - discontinued operations			(58)	(80)
Discontinued operations, disposed of by sale | Alliance Healthcare | Continuing Operations
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Sales			1,385	1,794
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Sales			$ 1,385	$ 1,794