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Asset Impairments and Product Alignment Charges (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Mar. 31, 2015 | Mar. 31, 2014 | Mar. 31, 2013
Asset Impairments And Product Alignment Charges [Line Items] |  |  |
Capitalized software held for sale impairment | $ 0us-gaap_CapitalizedComputerSoftwareImpairments | $ 12us-gaap_CapitalizedComputerSoftwareImpairments | $ 10us-gaap_CapitalizedComputerSoftwareImpairments
Technology Solutions [Member] |  |  |
Asset Impairments And Product Alignment Charges [Line Items] |  |  |
Nonrecurring charges |  | 57us-gaap_OtherNonrecurringExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mck_TechnologySolutionsMember | 46us-gaap_OtherNonrecurringExpense / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mck_TechnologySolutionsMember
Product alignment charges |  | 35mck_ProductAlignmentCharges / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mck_TechnologySolutionsMember |
Integration related costs |  | 15us-gaap_BusinessCombinationIntegrationRelatedCosts / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mck_TechnologySolutionsMember |
Reduction in force severance charges |  | 7us-gaap_SeveranceCosts1 / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mck_TechnologySolutionsMember |
Asset impairment charges |  | 15us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mck_TechnologySolutionsMember |
Technology Solutions [Member] | Cost of Sales [Member] |  |  |
Asset Impairments And Product Alignment Charges [Line Items] |  |  |
Nonrecurring charges |  | 34us-gaap_OtherNonrecurringExpense / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mck_TechnologySolutionsMember |
Capitalized software held for sale impairment |  |  | 10us-gaap_CapitalizedComputerSoftwareImpairments / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mck_TechnologySolutionsMember
Technology Solutions [Member] | Operating Expense [Member] |  |  |
Asset Impairments And Product Alignment Charges [Line Items] |  |  |
Nonrecurring charges |  | 23us-gaap_OtherNonrecurringExpense / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_OperatingExpenseMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mck_TechnologySolutionsMember |
Goodwill impairment |  |  | 36us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss / us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis = us-gaap_OperatingExpenseMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mck_TechnologySolutionsMember
Technology Solutions [Member] | Severance Charges Due to Reorganization [Member] |  |  |
Asset Impairments And Product Alignment Charges [Line Items] |  |  |
Reduction in force severance charges |  | $ 35us-gaap_SeveranceCosts1 / mck_ProductAlignmentByTypeAxis = mck_SeveranceChargesDuetoReorganizationMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mck_TechnologySolutionsMember |

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- Definition Product Alignment Charges + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Costs incurred to effect a business combination which have been expensed during the period. Such costs could include business integration costs, systems integration and conversion costs, and severance and other employee-related costs. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition For each income statement presented, the amount charged to expense for write-downs of capitalized computer software costs to net realizable value. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 985 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6501960&loc=d3e128487-111756 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 985 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6501960&loc=d3e128462-111756 + Details
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- Definition Amount of loss from the write-down of an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35741047&loc=d3e13854-109267 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 20 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388280&loc=d3e13777-109266 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35741047&loc=d3e13816-109267 + Details
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- Definition The charge against earnings resulting from the write down of long lived assets other than goodwill due to the difference between the carrying value and lower fair value. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391110&loc=d3e2921-110230 + Details
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- Definition Amount of other expense that is infrequent in occurrence or unusual in nature. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6365513&loc=d3e15122-107781 + Details
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- Definition Amount of expenses for special or contractual termination benefits provided to current employees involuntarily terminated under a benefit arrangement associated exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Excludes expenses related to one-time termination benefits, a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140864-122747 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 5 -Section P -Subsection 3, 4 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a)(10) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
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