Discontinued operations - schedules of results from discontinued operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 01, 2021	Aug. 31, 2023	Aug. 31, 2022	Aug. 31, 2021
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Net earnings from discontinued operations		$ 0	$ 0	$ 557
Discontinued operations, disposed of by sale | Alliance Healthcare
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Sales			16,070
Cost of sales			14,486
Gross profit			1,584
Selling, general and administrative expense			1,254
Operating income from discontinued operations			329
Other income (expense)			314
Interest expense, net			(23)
Earnings before income tax – discontinued operations			621
Income tax provision			78
Post tax earnings from other equity method investments			15
Net earnings from discontinued operations			557
Divestiture related costs	$ 44
Gain on disposition of business	$ 322
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Sales			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			1,385
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Sales			$ 1,385