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Equity Investments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Mar. 31, 2015 | Mar. 31, 2014 | Mar. 31, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Impairment of an equity investment | $ 0us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOtherThanTemporaryImpairment | $ 0us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOtherThanTemporaryImpairment | $ 191us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOtherThanTemporaryImpairment |
Distribution Solutions [Member] | Brocacef [Member] |  |  |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Equity interest in investee | 45.00%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mck_BrocacefMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mck_DistributionSolutionsMember |  |  |
Distribution Solutions [Member] | Nadro [Member] |  |  |  |
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Equity interest in investee |  | 49.00%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mck_NadroMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mck_DistributionSolutionsMember | 49.00%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mck_NadroMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mck_DistributionSolutionsMember | 49.00%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mck_NadroMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mck_DistributionSolutionsMember
Impairment of an equity investment |  |  | 191us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOtherThanTemporaryImpairment / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mck_NadroMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mck_DistributionSolutionsMember |
Cumulative foreign currency translation losses |  |  | 69us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentBeforeTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mck_NadroMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mck_DistributionSolutionsMember |
Proceeds from sale of equity investments |  |  |  | $ 41us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = mck_NadroMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = mck_DistributionSolutionsMember

X
- Definition This item represents an other than temporary decline in value that has been recognized against an investment accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the investment represents the amount of the write down which is or was reflected in earnings. The written down value is a new cost basis with the adjusted value of the investment becoming its new carrying value subject to the equity accounting method. Evidence of a loss in value might include, but would not necessarily be limited to, absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment or inability of the investee to sustain an earnings capacity which would justify the carrying amount of the investment. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 35 -Paragraph 32 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35687916&loc=d3e32787-111569 + Details
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- Definition The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571 + Details
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- Definition Amount before tax, after reclassification adjustments of gain (loss) on foreign currency translation adjustments, foreign currency transactions designated and effective as economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity and intra-entity foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 11 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36458714&loc=d3e637-108580 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 10A -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36458714&loc=SL7669646-108580 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 830 -SubTopic 20 -Section 35 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6939497&loc=d3e30304-110892 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 830 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 20 -Subparagraph (b,d) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6915805&loc=d3e32211-110900 + Details
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- Definition The cash inflow associated with the sale of equity method investments, which are investments in joint ventures and entities in which the entity has an equity ownership interest normally of 20 to 50 percent and exercises significant influence. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Investing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3179-108585 + Details
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