Cencora (COR) 10-K 25 Nov 14 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'AMERISOURCEBERGEN CORP	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001140859	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--09-30	'	'
Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$12,186,712,842
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding	'	218,691,869	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$1,808,513	$1,231,006
Accounts receivable, less allowances for returns and doubtful accounts: 2014 - $998,383; 2013 - $358,161	6,312,883	6,051,920
Merchandise inventories	8,593,852	6,981,494
Prepaid expenses and other	84,957	129,231
Total current assets	16,800,205	14,393,651
Property and equipment, at cost:	'	'
Land	37,538	37,538
Buildings and improvements	359,037	324,150
Machinery, equipment and other	1,295,854	1,109,731
Total property and equipment	1,692,429	1,471,419
Less accumulated depreciation	-792,847	-667,858
Property and equipment, net	899,582	803,561
Goodwill and other intangible assets	3,481,744	3,499,713
Other assets	350,652	221,713
TOTAL ASSETS	21,532,183	18,918,638
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	15,592,834	13,335,792
Accrued expenses and other	561,863	532,564
Deferred income taxes	1,095,463	1,002,279
Total current liabilities	17,250,160	14,870,635
Long-term debt	1,995,632	1,396,606
Other liabilities	329,492	331,652
Stockholders equity:	'	'
Common stock, $0.01 par value - authorized, issued and outstanding: 600,000,000 shares, 271,126,753 shares and 221,908,650 shares at September 30, 2014, respectively, and 600,000,000 shares, 267,789,992 shares and 229,994,216 shares at September 30, 2013, respectively	2,711	2,678
Additional paid-in capital	2,749,185	2,360,992
Retained earnings	1,570,429	1,508,414
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-52,046	-35,483
Treasury stock, at cost: 2014 - 49,218,103 shares; 2013 - 37,795,776 shares	-2,313,380	-1,516,856
Total stockholders equity	1,956,899	2,319,745
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY	$21,532,183	$18,918,638

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Allowances for returns and doubtful accounts	$998,383	$358,161
Stockholders equity:	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	600,000,000	600,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	271,126,753	267,789,992
Common stock, shares outstanding	221,908,650	229,994,216
Treasury stock, shares held	49,218,103	37,795,776

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS	'	'	'
Revenue	$119,569,127	$87,959,167	$78,080,806
Cost of goods sold	116,586,761	85,451,348	75,446,120
Gross profit	2,982,366	2,507,819	2,634,686
Operating expenses:	'	'	'
Distribution, selling and administrative	1,587,261	1,333,712	1,152,556
Depreciation	159,328	135,047	112,828
Amortization	25,962	27,139	21,547
Warrants	422,739	90,055	0
Employee severance, litigation and other	8,192	23,467	44,140
Operating income	778,884	898,399	1,303,615
Other (income) loss	-4,360	44	-5,827
Interest expense, net	76,862	73,897	92,569
Loss on early retirement of debt	32,954	0	0
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	673,428	824,458	1,216,873
Income taxes	389,398	331,023	455,512
Income from continuing operations	284,030	493,435	761,361
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of income tax expense of $-, $9,638, and $4,841 for fiscal 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively	-7,546	-59,728	-42,375
Net income	$276,484	$433,707	$718,986
Basic earnings per share:	'	'	'
Continuing operations	$1.25	$2.14	$3.01
Discontinued operations	($0.03)	($0.26)	($0.17)
Total	$1.22	$1.88	$2.84
Diluted earnings per share:	'	'	'
Continuing operations	$1.21	$2.10	$2.96
Discontinued operations	($0.03)	($0.25)	($0.16)
Rounding	($0.01)	($0.01)	$0
Total	$1.17	$1.84	$2.80
Weighted average common shares outstanding:	'	'	'
Basic	227,367	231,067	252,906
Diluted	235,405	235,345	256,903

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope1

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Parentheticals) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Abstract	'	'	'
Income tax expense	$0	$9,638	$4,841

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
statement of income and comprehensive income abstract	'	'	'
Net income	$276,484	$433,707	$718,986
Other comprehensive (loss) income:	'	'	'
Net change in foreign currency translation adjustments	-18,544	-14,181	15,838
Benefit plan funded status adjustments, net of tax of $1,361, $7,992, and $1,096, respectively	2,400	11,216	1,538
Other	-419	139	108
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	-16,563	-2,826	17,484
Total comprehensive income	$259,921	$430,881	$736,470

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com1

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parentheticals) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Tax Portion Attributable to Parent	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plans Tax	$1,361	$7,992	$1,096

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cha

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders Equity (USD $)	Total	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Treasury Stock
In Thousands
Total stockholders equity at Sep. 30, 2011	'	$2,867,585	$4,965	$4,082,978	$4,055,664	($50,141)	($5,225,881)
Net income	718,986	718,986	'	'	718,986	'	'
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	17,484	17,484	'	'	'	17,484	'
Cash dividends, $0.52 per share, $0.84 per share, and $0.94 per share, respectively, for fiscal years ended September 30, 2012, 2013 and 2014	'	-132,760	'	'	-132,760	'	'
Exercise of stock options	'	89,521	45	89,476	'	'	'
Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options	'	25,703	'	25,703	'	'	'
Share-based compensation expense	'	26,645	'	26,645	'	'	'
Common stock purchases for employee stock purchase plan	'	-299	'	-299	'	'	'
Warrants	0	'	'	'	'	'	'
Treasury stock retirement	'	0	-2,388	-1,972,030	-3,371,467	'	5,345,885
Purchases of common stock	'	-1,154,208	'	'	'	'	-1,154,208
Employee tax withholdings related to restricted share vesting	'	-3,815	'	'	'	'	-3,815
Other	'	0	3	-3	'	'	'
Total stockholders equity at Sep. 30, 2012	'	2,454,842	2,625	2,252,470	1,270,423	-32,657	-1,038,019
Net income	433,707	433,707	'	'	433,707	'	'
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	-2,826	-2,826	'	'	'	-2,826	'
Cash dividends, $0.52 per share, $0.84 per share, and $0.94 per share, respectively, for fiscal years ended September 30, 2012, 2013 and 2014	'	-195,716	'	'	-195,716	'	'
Exercise of stock options	'	114,491	50	114,441	'	'	'
Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options	'	41,222	'	41,222	'	'	'
Share-based compensation expense	'	36,751	'	36,751	'	'	'
Settlement of accelerated stock repurchase agreement	'	-10,312	'	-10,312	'	'	'
Common stock purchases for employee stock purchase plan	'	-260	'	-260	'	'	'
Warrants	90,055	90,055	'	90,055	'	'	'
Purchases of capped call options	'	-163,372	'	-163,372	'	'	'
Purchases of common stock	'	-473,864	'	'	'	'	-473,864
Employee tax withholdings related to restricted share vesting	'	-4,973	'	'	'	'	-4,973
Other	'	0	3	-3	'	'	'
Total stockholders equity at Sep. 30, 2013	2,319,745	2,319,745	2,678	2,360,992	1,508,414	-35,483	-1,516,856
Net income	276,484	276,484	'	'	276,484	'	'
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	-16,563	-16,563	'	'	'	-16,563	'
Cash dividends, $0.52 per share, $0.84 per share, and $0.94 per share, respectively, for fiscal years ended September 30, 2012, 2013 and 2014	'	-214,469	'	'	-214,469	'	'
Exercise of stock options	'	81,565	30	81,535	'	'	'
Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options	'	46,341	'	46,341	'	'	'
Share-based compensation expense	'	43,107	'	43,107	'	'	'
Common stock purchases for employee stock purchase plan	'	-206	'	-206	'	'	'
Warrants	422,739	422,739	'	422,739	'	'	'
Purchases of capped call options	'	-205,320	'	-205,320	'	'	'
Purchases of common stock	'	-789,927	'	'	'	'	-789,927
Employee tax withholdings related to restricted share vesting	'	-6,597	'	'	'	'	-6,597
Other	'	0	3	-3	'	'	'
Total stockholders equity at Sep. 30, 2014	$1,956,899	$1,956,899	$2,711	$2,749,185	$1,570,429	($52,046)	($2,313,380)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cha1

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY	'	'	'	'
Common Stock Dividends Per Share Cash Paid	$0.29	$0.94	$0.84	$0.52

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
OPERATING ACTIVITIES	'	'	'
Net income	$276,484	$433,707	$718,986
Loss from discontinued operations	7,546	59,728	42,375
Income from continuing operations	284,030	493,435	761,361
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Depreciation, including amounts charged to cost of goods sold	162,089	138,690	113,765
Amortization, including amounts charged to interest expense	30,644	32,103	26,750
Provision for doubtful accounts	26,634	20,118	23,058
Provision for deferred income taxes	39,312	25,573	61,278
Warrants	422,739	90,055	0
Share-based compensation	43,107	36,275	25,954
Loss on early retirement of debt	32,954	0	0
Other	-6,539	3,727	-9,184
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, excluding the effects of acquisitions:	'	'	'
Accounts receivable	-938,286	-2,312,518	71,510
Merchandise inventories	-956,506	-1,486,572	-116,174
Prepaid expenses and other assets	21,107	-169,745	49,716
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and income taxes	2,317,589	3,818,288	416,100
Other liabilities	-8,175	12,559	-7,177
Net cash provided by operating activities-continuing operations	1,470,699	701,988	1,416,957
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities-discontinued operations	-7,546	86,137	-111,508
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES	1,463,153	788,125	1,305,449
INVESTING ACTIVITIES	'	'	'
Capital expenditures	-264,457	-202,450	-133,292
Cost of acquired companies, net of cash acquired	-9,103	0	-775,670
Cost of equity investments	-117,794	0	0
Proceeds from sales of businesses	0	329,980	0
Other	7,199	1,402	23
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities-continuing operations	-384,155	128,932	-908,939
Net cash used in investing activities-discontinued operations	0	-11,672	-39,010
NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES	-384,155	117,260	-947,949
FINANCING ACTIVITIES	'	'	'
Long-term debt borrowings	1,097,927	0	499,290
Long-term debt repayments	-531,525	0	-447,326
Borrowings under revolving and securitization credit facilities	17,584,500	2,330,000	60,500
Repayments under revolving and securitization credti facilities	-17,584,500	-2,330,000	-60,500
Purchases of common stock	-753,926	-484,176	-1,162,246
Exercises of stock options, including excess tax benefits of $46,341, $41,222, and $25,703 in fiscal 2014, 2013, and 2012 respectively	127,906	155,713	115,224
Cash dividends on common stock	-214,469	-195,716	-132,760
Purchases of capped call options	-211,397	-157,295	0
Debt issuance costs and other	-16,007	-8,975	-10,658
Net cash used in financing activities-continuing operations	-501,491	-690,449	-1,138,476
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities-discontinued operations	0	-50,538	21,594
NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES	-501,491	-740,987	-1,116,882
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	577,507	164,398	-759,382
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	1,231,006	1,066,608	1,825,990
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR	$1,808,513	$1,231,006	$1,066,608

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas1

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
FINANCING ACTIVITIES	'	'	'
Excess tax benefit from the exercise of stock options	$46,341	$41,222	$25,703

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Significant Accounting Policies Text Block	'
	Note 1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	AmerisourceBergen Corporation (the “Company”) is one of the largest global pharmaceutical sourcing and distribution services companies, helping both healthcare providers and pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturers improve patient access to products and enhance patient care. The Company delivers innovative programs and services designed to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the pharmaceutical supply chain.
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries as of the dates and for the fiscal years indicated. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual amounts could differ from these estimated amounts due to uncertainties inherent in such estimates. Management periodically evaluates estimates used in the preparation of the financial statements for continued reasonableness.
	Effective October 1, 2013, the Company transitioned the financial reporting of its Canadian business from the Pharmaceutical Distribution reportable segment to Other. As a result, reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts in order to conform to the current year presentation.
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification 605 – Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Codification. ASU 2014-09 outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. The standard's core principle is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 should be applied retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying ASU 2014-09 recognized at the date of initial application. ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those reporting periods. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this new accounting guidance.
	As of September 30, 2014, there are no other recently issued accounting standards that will have a material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operation upon their adoption.
	Business Combinations
	The purchase price of an acquired company, including the fair value of contingent consideration, is allocated between tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed from the acquired business based on their estimated fair values, with the residual of the purchase price recorded as goodwill. The results of operations of the acquired businesses are included in the Company's operating results from the dates of acquisition.
	Cash Equivalents
	The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The carrying value of cash equivalents approximates fair value.
	Concentrations of Credit Risk and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	The Company sells its merchandise inventories to a large number of customers in the healthcare industry that include institutional and retail healthcare providers. Institutional healthcare providers include acute care hospitals, health systems, mail order pharmacies, long-term care and other alternate care pharmacies and providers of pharmacy services to such facilities, and physician offices. Retail healthcare providers include national and regional retail drugstore chains, independent community pharmacies and pharmacy departments of supermarkets and mass merchandisers. The financial condition of the Company's customers can be affected by changes in government reimbursement policies as well as by other economic pressures in the healthcare industry.
	The Company's trade accounts receivable are exposed to credit risk, but the risk is moderated because the Company's customer base is diverse and geographically widespread primarily within the U.S. The Company generally does not require collateral for trade receivables. In determining the appropriate allowance for doubtful accounts, the Company considers a combination of factors, such as the aging of trade receivables, industry trends, its customers' financial strength, credit standing, and payment and default history. Changes in these factors, among others, may lead to adjustments in the Company's allowance for doubtful accounts. The calculation of the required allowance requires judgment by Company management as to the impact of those and other factors on the ultimate realization of its trade receivables. Each of the Company's business units performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers' financial condition and maintains reserves for probable bad debt losses based on historical experience and for specific credit problems when they arise. There were no significant changes to this process during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013, and 2012 and bad debt expense was computed in a consistent manner during these periods. The bad debt expense for any period presented is equal to the changes in the period end allowance for doubtful accounts, net of write-offs, recoveries and other adjustments. Schedule II of this Form 10-K sets forth a rollforward of the allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company's largest customer in fiscal 2014, Walgreen Co. (“Walgreens”) accounted for 28% of revenue and represented approximately 42% of accounts receivable, net as of September 30, 2014. Express Scripts, Inc. (“Express Scripts”), the Company's second largest customer in fiscal 2014, accounted for 18% of revenue and represented approximately 13% of accounts receivable, net as of September 30, 2014.
	The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents with several financial institutions. Deposits held with banks may exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits. These deposits may be redeemed upon demand, and are maintained with financial institutions with reputable credit, and, therefore, bear minimal credit risk. The Company seeks to mitigate such risks by monitoring the risk profiles of these counterparties. The Company also seeks to mitigate risk by monitoring the investment strategy of money market accounts that it is invested in, which are classified as cash equivalents.
	Contingencies
	Loss Contingencies: In the ordinary course of its business, the Company becomes involved in lawsuits, administrative proceedings, government subpoenas, and government investigations, including antitrust, commercial, environmental, product liability, intellectual property, regulatory, employment discrimination, and other matters. Significant damages or penalties may be sought from the Company in some matters, and some matters may require years for the Company to resolve. The Company records a liability when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount is reasonably estimable. The Company also performs an assessment of the materiality of loss contingencies where a loss is either not probable or it is reasonably possible that a loss could be incurred in excess of amounts accrued. If a loss or an additional loss has at least a reasonable possibility of occurring and the impact on the financial statements would be material, the Company provides disclosure of the loss contingency in the footnotes to its financial statements. The Company reviews all contingencies at least quarterly to determine whether the likelihood of loss has changed and to assess whether a reasonable estimate of the loss or the range of the loss can be made (see Note 12).
	Gain Contingencies: The Company records gain contingencies when they are realized. Gains from antitrust litigation settlements are realized upon the receipt of cash and recorded as a reduction to cost of goods sold because they represent a recovery of amounts historically paid to manufacturers to originally acquire the pharmaceuticals that were the subject of the antitrust litigation settlements (see Note 13).
	Derivative Financial Instruments
	The Company records all derivative financial instruments on the balance sheet at fair value and complies with established criteria for designation and effectiveness of hedging relationships. The Company's policy prohibits it from entering into derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes.
	As of September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company had one foreign currency denominated contract outstanding that hedges the foreign currency exchange risk of the C$50.0 million note that the Company received in conjunction with the sale of AmerisourceBergen Canada Corporation (see Note 3).
	Equity Investments
	The Company uses the equity method of accounting for its investments in entities in which it has significant influence; generally, this represents an ownership interest of between 20% and 50% (see Note 2). The Company's investments in marketable equity securities in which the Company does not have significant influence are classified as “available for sale” and are carried at fair value within the Other Assets line item on the consolidated balance sheet, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in the accumulated other comprehensive loss component of stockholders' equity. Unrealized losses that are determined to be other-than-temporary impairment losses are recorded as a component of earnings in the period in which that determination is made.
	Foreign Currency
	The functional currency of the Company's foreign operations is generally the applicable local currency. Assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars using the current exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, while revenues and expenses are translated at the weighted average exchange rates for the period. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss within stockholders' equity.
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives, primarily trademarks and trade names, are not amortized; rather, they are tested for impairment at least annually. For the purpose of these impairment tests, the Company can elect to perform a qualitative analysis to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair values of its reporting units and indefinite lived intangible assets are less than the respective carrying values of those reporting units and indefinite lived intangible assets. The Company elected to bypass performing the qualitative screen and went directly to performing the first step quantitative analysis of the goodwill and indefinite lived intangible asset impairment tests in the current year. The Company may elect to perform the qualitative analysis in future periods.
	The first step in the quantitative process for the goodwill impairment test is to compare the carrying amount of the reporting unit's net assets to the fair value of the reporting unit. If the fair value exceeds the carrying value, no further evaluation is required and no impairment loss is recognized. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, then the second step must be completed, which involves allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to each asset and liability, with the excess being implied goodwill. An impairment loss occurs if the amount of the recorded goodwill exceeds the implied goodwill. The Company would be required to record any such impairment losses.
	The Company identifies its reporting units at the operating segment level. Generally, goodwill arises from acquisitions of specific operating companies and is assigned to the reporting unit in which a particular operating company resides.
	The Company utilizes a combination of income and market-based approaches to value its reporting units. The income approach to valuation relies on a discounted cash flow analysis to determine the fair value of each reporting unit, which considers forecasted cash flows discounted at an appropriate discount rate. The Company believes that market participants would use a discounted cash flow analysis to determine the fair value of its reporting units in a sale transaction. The annual goodwill impairment test requires the Company to make a number of assumptions and estimates concerning future levels of revenue growth, operating margins, depreciation, amortization and working capital requirements, which are based upon the Company's long-range plan. The discount rate is an estimate of the overall after-tax rate of return required by a market participant whose weighted average cost of capital includes both equity and debt, including a risk premium. While the Company uses the best available information to prepare its cash flow and discount rate assumptions, actual future cash flows or market conditions could differ significantly resulting in future impairment charges related to recorded goodwill balances. While there are always changes in assumptions to reflect changing business and market conditions, the Company's overall methodology and the population of assumptions used have remained unchanged.
	The impairment test for indefinite-lived intangibles other than goodwill (primarily trademarks and trade names) consists of a comparison of the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset to the carrying value of the asset as of the impairment testing date. The Company estimates the fair value of its indefinite-lived intangibles using the relief from royalty method. The Company believes the relief from royalty method is a widely used valuation technique for such assets. The fair value derived from the relief from royalty method is measured as the discounted cash flow savings realized from owning such trademarks and trade names and not having to pay a royalty for their use.
	The Company completed its required annual impairment tests relating to goodwill and other intangible assets in the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013, and 2012, and, as a result, determined that there were no impairments.
	Income Taxes
	The Company accounts for income taxes using a method that requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for expected future tax consequences of temporary differences that currently exist between tax bases and financial reporting bases of the Company's assets and liabilities (commonly known as the asset and liability method). In assessing the ability to realize deferred tax assets, the Company considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
	The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. Tax benefits associated with uncertain tax positions that have met the recognition criteria are measured and recorded based on the highest probable outcome that is more than 50% likely to be realized after full disclosure and resolution of a tax examination.
	Manufacturer Incentives
	The Company accounts for fees and other incentives received from its suppliers, relating to the purchase or distribution of inventory, as a reduction to cost of goods sold. The Company considers these fees and other incentives to represent product discounts, and as a result, they are capitalized as product costs and relieved through cost of goods sold upon the sale of the related inventory.
	Merchandise Inventories
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost for approximately 84% and 83% of the Company's inventories at September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, has been determined using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. If the Company had used the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method of inventory valuation, which approximates current replacement cost, inventories would have been approximately $881.8 million and $533.7 million higher than the amounts reported at September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company recorded LIFO expense of $348.1 million, $277.0 million, and $0.7 million in fiscal 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. The annual LIFO provision is affected by changes in inventory quantities, product mix, and manufacturing pricing practices, which may be impacted by market and other external influences, many of which are difficult to predict. Changes to any of the above factors can have a material impact to the Company's annual LIFO provision.
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from 3 to 40 years for buildings and improvements and from 3 to 10 years for machinery, equipment and other. The costs of repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred.
	The Company capitalizes project costs relating to computer software developed or obtained for internal use when the activities related to the project reach the application development stage. Costs that are associated with preliminary stage activities, training, maintenance, and all other post-implementation stage activities are expensed as they are incurred. Software development costs are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives, which range from 3 to 10 years.
	Revenue Recognition
	The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, product has been delivered or services have been rendered, the price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue as reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations is net of estimated sales returns and allowances.
	The Company's customer sales return policy generally allows customers to return products only if the products can be resold at full value or returned to suppliers for full credit. The Company records an accrual for estimated customer sales returns at the time of sale to the customer. At September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company's accrual for estimated customer sales returns was $932.6 million and $275.8 million, respectively.
	The Company reports the gross dollar amount of bulk deliveries to customer warehouses in revenue and the related costs in cost of goods sold. Bulk delivery transactions are arranged by the Company at the express direction of the customer, and involve either drop shipments from the supplier directly to customers' warehouse sites or cross-dock shipments from the supplier to the Company for immediate shipment to the customers' warehouse sites. The Company is a principal to these transactions because it is the primary obligor and has the ultimate and contractual responsibility for fulfillment and acceptability of the products purchased, and bears full risk of delivery and loss for products, whether the products are drop-shipped or shipped via cross-dock. The Company also bears full credit risk associated with the creditworthiness of any bulk delivery customer. As a result, the Company records bulk deliveries to customer warehouses as gross revenues. Gross profit earned by the Company on bulk deliveries was not material in any year presented.
	Share-Based Compensation
	The Company accounts for the compensation cost of all share-based payments at fair value and reports the related expense within distribution, selling and administrative expenses to correspond with the same line item as the cash compensation paid to employees. The benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation expense are reported as a financing cash flow ($46.3 million, $41.2 million, and $25.7 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively). The fair value of performance stock units is determined by the grant date market price of the Company's Common Stock and the compensation expense associated with nonvested performance stock units is dependent on the Company's periodic assessment of the probability of the targets being achieved and its estimate of the number of shares that will ultimately be issued.
	Shipping and Handling Costs
	Shipping and handling costs include all costs to warehouse, pick, pack and deliver inventory to customers. These costs, which were $348.3 million, $267.3 million and $259.1 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively, are included in distribution, selling and administrative expenses.
	Supplier Reserves
	The Company establishes reserves against amounts due from its suppliers relating to various price and rebate incentives, including deductions or billings taken against payments otherwise due them from the Company. These reserve estimates are established based on the judgment of Company management after carefully considering the status of current outstanding claims, historical experience with the suppliers, the specific incentive programs and any other pertinent information available to the Company. The Company evaluates the amounts due from its suppliers on a continual basis and adjusts the reserve estimates when appropriate based on changes in factual circumstances. The ultimate outcome of any outstanding claim may be different than the Company's estimate.
	Warrants
	The Company accounts for the warrants issued to subsidiaries of Walgreens and Alliance Boots GmbH (“Alliance Boots”) (collectively, the “Warrants”) in accordance with the guidance for equity-based payments to non-employees. The various agreements and arrangements with Walgreens and Alliance Boots established various performance commitments that they must satisfy during the vesting periods of the Warrants, and if not fulfilled, the Company has the right to cancel the Warrants. Using a binomial lattice model approach, the fair value of the Warrants was initially measured at the date of issuance, and is being expensed over the three and four year vesting periods as an operating expense. The fair value of the Warrants are re-measured at the end of each quarterly reporting period, and an adjustment is recorded in the statement of operations to record the impact as if the newly measured fair value of the awards had been used in recognizing expense starting when the awards were originally issued and through the remeasurement date.  In total, the Warrants were valued at $1,139.8 million as of September 30, 2014. The valuation of the Warrants considers the Company's Common Stock price and various assumptions, such as the volatility of the Company's Common Stock, the expected remaining life of the Warrants, the expected dividend yield, and the risk-free interest rate. As a result, future Warrant expense could fluctuate significantly (see Note 7).

Investments

Investments	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Abstract	'
Equity Method Investments Disclosure Text Block	'
	Note 2.  Investments
	In June 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of a minority ownership interest in Profarma Distribuidora de Produtos Farmacêuticos S.A. (“Profarma”), a leading pharmaceutical wholesaler in Brazil. In addition, the Company and Profarma launched a joint venture to provide enhanced specialty distribution and services to the Brazilian marketplace. The Company invested a total of $117.8 million to acquire both a minority ownership interest in Profarma of approximately 19.9% and a 50% ownership interest in the specialty joint venture.
	The Company accounts for its interest in both Profarma and the specialty joint venture as equity method investments, which are reported in the Other Assets line item on the consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2014.

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Discontinued Operation Income Loss From Discontinued Operation Disclosures Abstract	'
Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations Disclosure Text Block	'
	Note 3.  Discontinued Operations
	In May 2013, the Company completed the divestiture of its packaging and clinical trials services business, AndersonBrecon (“AB”), and AmerisourceBergen Canada Corporation (“ABCC”). The Company has classified AB and ABCC's operating results, net of tax, as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for all periods presented. Prior to being classified within discontinued operations, AB was included in Other and ABCC was included in Pharmaceutical Distribution for segment reporting. AB and ABCC's revenue and loss before income taxes were as follows:
			Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
		(in thousands)	2014		2013		2012
		Revenue	$	-	$	1,181,231	$	1,639,684
		Loss before income taxes	$	-7,546	$	-50,090	$	-37,534
	The loss before income taxes in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 includes the impact of a final purchase price working capital adjustment related to the divestiture of ABCC. The loss before income taxes in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 includes an ABCC goodwill impairment charge of $26.9 million and a $143.7 million loss on the sale of ABCC. The loss is net of a $114.1 million gain on the sale of AB.
	The gain on the sale of AB and the loss on the sale of ABCC include the reclassification of $9.3 million of cumulative foreign currency translation losses previously included within accumulated other comprehensive income. The tax gain on the sale of AB was more than offset by the tax loss on the sale of ABCC. There was no impact on income tax expense, as a valuation allowance on the excess capital tax loss was recorded.
	The Company sold AB for $306.5 million, net of a final purchase price working capital adjustment, and sold ABCC for $67.9 million, including a C$50.0 million note due from the buyer, with interest accruing at 3% annually, and scheduled monthly payments to be made over a seven-year term that commenced in June 2013. The Company entered into a foreign currency denominated contract to hedge the foreign currency exchange risk associated with the Canadian Note.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Tax Disclosure Text Block	'
	Note 4. Income Taxes
	The following illustrates domestic and foreign income from continuing operations before income taxes (in thousands):
				Fiscal year ended September 30,
				2014		2013		2012
		Domestic		$591,909		$793,137		$1,193,047
		Foreign		81,519		31,321		23,826
		Total		$673,428		$824,458		$1,216,873
	The income tax provision is as follows (in thousands):
			Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
			2014		2013		2012
		Current provision:
		Federal	$297,052		$259,457		$356,843
		State and local	37,301		37,602		32,438
		Foreign	15,733		8,391		4,953
			350,086		305,450		394,234
		Deferred provision:
		Federal	16,576		29,189		47,348
		State and local	22,842		-3,375		11,959
		Foreign	-106		-241		1,971
			39,312		25,573		61,278
		Provision for income taxes	$389,398		$331,023		$455,512
	A reconciliation of the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate to the effective income tax rate is as follows:
			Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
			2014			2013			2012
		Statutory U.S. federal income tax rate	35	%		35	%		35	%
		State and local income tax rate, net of federal tax benefit	5.8			3			2.3
		Foreign	-1.9			-0.3			-0.1
		Warrants	18.4			2.3			-
		Other	0.5			0.2			0.2
		Effective income tax rate	57.8	%		40.2	%		37.4	%
	In March 2013, the Company issued Warrants in connection with various agreements and arrangements with Walgreens and Alliance Boots. See Note 7 for further details. As of the date of issuance, the Warrants were valued at $242.4 million, which approximates the amount that will be deductible for tax purposes. The fair value of the Warrants as of September 30, 2014 was $1,139.8 million. The excess of the fair value as of September 30, 2014 over the initial value of $242.4 million is not tax deductible. As a result, the Company's effective income tax rate in the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 is higher than its historic rate. This increase in the income tax rate is reflected in Warrants in the above effective income tax rate reconciliation.
	Deferred income taxes reflect the future tax consequences of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts. Significant components of the Company's deferred tax liabilities (assets) are as follows (in thousands):
			September 30,
			2014		2013
		Merchandise inventories	$1,146,695		$1,016,522
		Property and equipment	111,525		128,289
		Goodwill and other intangible assets	273,147		260,357
		Other	988		1,322
		Gross deferred tax liabilities	1,532,355		1,406,490
		Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards	-59,404		-61,726
		Capital loss carryforwards	-61,886		-297,806
		Allowance for doubtful accounts	-33,915		-30,073
		Accrued expenses	-23,857		-16,731
		Employee and retiree benefits	-6,534		-4,884
		Stock options	-35,845		-29,356
		Warrants	-25,426		-8,897
		Other	-54,213		-57,640
		Gross deferred tax assets	-301,080		-507,113
		Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets	105,393		327,546
		Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance	-195,687		-179,567
		Net deferred tax liabilities	$1,336,668		$1,226,923
	The following tax carryforward information is presented as of September 30, 2014. The Company had $7.6 million of potential tax benefits from federal net operating loss carryforwards expiring in 4 to 17 years, $69.7 million of potential tax benefits from state net operating loss carryforwards expiring in 1 to 20 years and $6.4 million of potential tax benefits from foreign net operating loss carryforwards, which have varying expiration dates. Included in the state net operating loss carryforwards is $13.2 million of potential tax benefits that if realized would be an increase to additional paid-in-capital. The Company had $61.9 million of potential tax benefits from capital loss carryforwards expiring in 2 to 4 years. The Company had $5.8 million of foreign tax credit carryforwards expiring in 4 to 10 years. The Company had $1.4 million of state tax credit carryforwards and $2.4 million in alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards.
	In fiscal 2014, the Company decreased the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets by $222.2 million primarily due to the expiration of capital loss carryforwards. In fiscal 2013, the Company increased the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets by $73.4 million primarily due to the addition of capital loss carryforwards resulting from the sale of ABCC.
	In fiscal 2014, 2013, and 2012, tax benefits of $46.3 million, $41.2 million, and $25.7  million, respectively, related to the exercise of employee stock options and lapse of restricted shares, were recorded as additional paid-in capital.
	Income tax payments, net of refunds, were $197.0 million, $313.7 million and $302.1 million in the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various states and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local, or foreign income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2010.
	As of September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits, defined as the aggregate tax effect of differences between tax return positions and the benefits recognized in the Company's financial statements, of $50.6 million and $55.4 million, respectively, ($35.8 million and $39.1 million, net of federal benefit, respectively). If recognized, these tax benefits would reduce income tax expense and the effective tax rate. As of September 30, 2014 and 2013, included in these amounts are $7.7 million and $9.1 million of interest and penalties, respectively, which the Company records in income tax expense.
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, in fiscal 2014, 2013, and 2012 is as follows (in thousands):
		Balance at September 30, 2011	$35,803
		Additions of tax positions of the current year	6,094
		Additions of tax positions of the prior years	1,045
		Additions of tax positions due to acquisitions	2,748
		Reductions of tax positions of the prior years	-5,177
	Settlements with taxing authorities	-2,286
	Expiration of statutes of limitations	-1,237
	Balance at September 30, 2012	36,990
	Additions of tax positions of the current year	5,272
	Additions of tax positions of the prior years	2,825
	Additions of tax positions due to acquisitions	2,500
	Settlements with taxing authorities	-519
	Expiration of statutes of limitations	-801
	Balance at September 30, 2013	46,267
	Additions of tax positions of the current year	6,127
	Additions of tax positions of the prior years	1,249
	Reductions of tax positions of the prior years	-4,167
	Settlements with taxing authorities	-4,788
	Expiration of statutes of limitations	-1,780
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$42,908
During the next 12 months, it is reasonably possible that state tax audit resolutions and the expiration of statutes of limitations could result in a reduction of unrecognized tax benefits by approximately $6.9 million.
Cumulative undistributed earnings of international subsidiaries were $217.0 million at September 30, 2014. No deferred Federal income taxes were provided for the undistributed earnings as they are permanently reinvested in the Company's international operations. It is not practicable to estimate the amount of U.S. tax that would result upon the eventual repatriation of such earnings.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure Text Block	'
	Note 5. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Following is a summary of the changes in the carrying value of goodwill for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
				Pharmaceutical
				Distribution		Other	Total
		Goodwill at September 30, 2012		$2,400,926		$542,058	$2,942,984
		Goodwill recognized in connection with acquisitions		-		3,000	3,000
		Foreign currency translation		-		-1,014	-1,014
		Goodwill at September 30, 2013		2,400,926		544,044	2,944,970
		Goodwill recognized in connection with acquisitions		-		5,665	5,665
		Foreign currency translation		-		-2,133	-2,133
		Goodwill at September 30, 2014		$2,400,926		$547,576	$2,948,502
	Following is a summary of other intangible assets (in thousands):
		September 30, 2014							September 30, 2013
		Gross					Net		Gross				Net
		Carrying			Accumulated		Carrying		Carrying		Accumulated		Carrying
		Amount			Amortization		Amount		Amount		Amortization		Amount
	Indefinite-lived intangibles — trade names	$	343,707		$	-	$	343,707	$	343,892	$	-	$	343,892
	Finite-lived intangibles:
	Customer relationships		268,208			-98,412		169,796		265,810		-80,767		185,043
	Other		71,114			-51,375		19,739		69,350		-43,542		25,808
	Total other intangible assets	$	683,029		$	-149,787	$	533,242	$	679,052	$	-124,309	$	554,743
	Amortization expense for other intangible assets was $26.0 million, $27.1 million, and $21.5 million in the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. Amortization expense for other intangible assets is estimated to be $22.4 million in fiscal 2015, $21.6 million in fiscal 2016, $17.8 million in fiscal 2017, $15.4 million in fiscal 2018, $14.8 million in 2019 and $97.5 million thereafter.

Debt

Debt	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt Disclosure Text Block	'
	Note 6.  Debt
	Debt consisted of the following:
			September 30,
			2014		2013
			(Dollars in thousands)
		Multi-currency revolving credit facility due 2019	$	-	$	-
		Receivables securitization facility due 2016		-		-
		Revolving credit note		-		-
		$500,000, 5.875% senior notes due 2015		-		499,377
		$600,000, 1.15% senior notes due 2017		599,379		-
		$400,000, 4.875% senior notes due 2019		398,122		397,803
		$500,000, 3.50% senior notes due 2021		499,497		499,426
		$500,000, 3.40% senior notes due 2024		498,634		-
		Total debt	$	1,995,632	$	1,396,606
	Multi-Currency Revolving Credit Facility
	The Company has a $1.4 billion multi-currency senior unsecured credit facility, which expires in August 2019 (the “Multi-Currency Revolving Credit Facility”), with a syndicate of lenders. Interest on borrowings under the Multi-Currency Revolving Credit Facility accrues at specified rates based on the Company's debt rating and ranges from 69 basis points to 110 basis points over LIBOR/EURIBOR/Bankers Acceptance Stamping Fee, as applicable (90 basis points over LIBOR/EURIBOR/Bankers Acceptance Stamping Fee at September 30, 2014). Additionally, interest on borrowings denominated in Canadian dollars may accrue at the greater of the Canadian prime rate or the CDOR rate. The Company pays facility fees to maintain the availability under the Multi-Currency Revolving Credit Facility at specified rates based on its debt rating, ranging from 6 basis points to 15 basis points, annually, of the total commitment (10 basis points at September 30, 2014). The Company may choose to repay or reduce its commitments under the Multi-Currency Revolving Credit Facility at any time. The Multi-Currency Revolving Credit Facility contains covenants, including compliance with a financial leverage ratio test, as well as others that impose limitations on, among other things, indebtedness of excluded subsidiaries and asset sales, with which the Company was compliant as of September 30, 2014.
	Receivables Securitization Facility
	The Company has a $950 million receivables securitization facility (“Receivables Securitization Facility”), which expires in June 2016. The Company has available to it an accordion feature whereby the commitment on the Receivables Securitization Facility may be increased by up to $250 million, subject to lender approval, for seasonal needs during the December and March quarters. Interest rates are based on prevailing market rates for short-term commercial paper or LIBOR plus a program fee of 75 basis points. The Company pays an unused fee of 40 basis points, annually, to maintain the availability under the Receivables Securitization Facility.
	In connection with the Receivables Securitization Facility, AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation sells on a revolving basis certain accounts receivable to Amerisource Receivables Financial Corporation, a wholly owned special purpose entity, which in turn sells a percentage ownership interest in the receivables to financial institutions and commercial paper conduits sponsored by financial institutions. AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation is the servicer of the accounts receivable under the Receivables Securitization Facility. After the maximum limit of receivables sold has been reached and as sold receivables are collected, additional receivables may be sold up to the maximum amount available under the facility. The facility is a financing vehicle utilized by the Company because it generally offers an attractive interest rate relative to other financing sources. The Company securitizes its trade accounts, which are generally non-interest bearing, in transactions that are accounted for as borrowings. The Receivables Securitization Facility contains similar covenants to the Multi-Currency Revolving Credit Facility.
	Commercial Paper Program
	The Company has a commercial paper program whereby it may from time to time issue short-term promissory notes in an aggregate amount of up to $1.4 billion at any one time. Amounts available under the program may be borrowed, repaid, and re-borrowed from time to time. The maturities on the notes will vary, but may not exceed 365 days from the date of issuance. The notes will bear interest rates, if interest bearing, or will be sold at a discount from their face amounts. The commercial paper program does not increase the Company's borrowing capacity as it is fully backed by the Company's Multi-Currency Revolving Credit Facility. There were no borrowings outstanding under the commercial paper program at September 30, 2014.
	Revolving Credit Note
	The Company has an uncommitted, unsecured line of credit available to it pursuant to a revolving credit note (“Revolving Credit Note”). The Revolving Credit Note provides the Company with the ability to request short-term, unsecured revolving credit loans from time to time in a principal amount not to exceed $75 million. The Revolving Credit Note may be decreased or terminated by the bank or the Company at any time without prior notice.
	Senior Notes
	In May 2014, the Company issued $600 million of 1.15% senior notes due May 15, 2017 (the “2017 Notes”) and $500 million of 3.40% senior notes due May 15, 2024 (the “2024 Notes”). The 2017 Notes were sold at 99.892% of the principal amount and have an effective yield of 1.187%. The 2024 Notes were sold at 99.715% of the principal amount and have an effective yield of 3.434%. Interest on the 2017 Notes and 2024 Notes is payable semiannually in arrears, commencing on November 15, 2014. The 2017 and 2024 Notes rank pari passu to the Multi-Currency Revolving Credit Facility, the Revolving Credit Note, the $400 million 4.875% senior notes due in 2019, and the $500 million 3.50% senior notes due in 2021. Costs incurred in connection with the issuance of the 2017 Notes and the 2024 Notes were deferred and are being amortized over the terms of the notes.
	The Company used a portion of the net proceeds from the 2017 Notes and the 2024 Notes to finance the early retirement of the $500 million, 5.875% senior notes due 2015 (the “2015 Notes”), including the payment of $31.5 million of premiums and other costs. The Company used the remaining amount for general corporate purposes, including the repurchases of shares of its common stock under its special share repurchase program authorized in May 2014.
	The Company has $400 million of 4.875% senior notes due November 15, 2019 (the “2019 Notes”) and $500 million of 3.50% senior notes due November 15, 2021 (the “2021 Notes”). The 2019 Notes, and 2021 Notes were sold at 99.2% and 99.858% of the principal amount, respectively, and have effective interest yields of 4.98% and 3.52% respectively. Interest on the 2019 and 2021 Notes is payable semiannually in arrears. Costs incurred in connection with the issuance of the 2019 and 2021 Notes were deferred and are being amortized over the terms of the notes. The 2017 Notes, 2019 Notes, 2021 Notes, and 2024 Notes are collectively referred to as the “Notes.”
	The indentures governing the Notes contain restrictions and covenants which include limitations on additional indebtedness; distributions to stockholders; the repurchase of stock and the making of other restricted payments; issuance of preferred stock; creation of certain liens; transactions with subsidiaries and other affiliates; and certain corporate acts such as mergers, consolidations, and the sale of substantially all assets. An additional covenant requires compliance with a financial leverage ratio test, with which the Company was compliant as of September 30, 2014.
	Other Information
	Scheduled future principal payments of long-term debt are $600 million in fiscal 2017 and $1.4 billion in fiscal 2020 and thereafter.
	Interest paid on the above indebtedness during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $62.9 million, $68.5 million, and $84.5 million, respectively.
	Total amortization of financing fees and the accretion of original issue discounts, which are recorded as components of interest expense, were $3.9 million, $4.2 million, and $5.2 million, for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

Stockholders_Equity_and_Earnin

Stockholders Equity and Earnings per Share	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Stockholders Equity and Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Stockholders Equity and Earnings per Share [Text Block]	'
	Note 7.  Stockholders' Equity and Earnings per Share
	The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 600,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”).
	The board of directors is authorized to provide for the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series with various designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions. Except as required by law, or as otherwise provided by the board of directors of the Company, the holders of Preferred Stock will have no voting rights and will not be entitled to notice of meetings of stockholders. Holders of Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, when declared by the board of directors, out of legally available funds, dividends at the rates fixed by the board of directors for the respective series of Preferred Stock, and no more, before any dividends will be declared and paid, or set apart for payment, on Common Stock with respect to the same dividend period. No shares of Preferred Stock have been issued as of September 30, 2014.
	The holders of the Company's Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share and have the exclusive right to vote for the board of directors and for all other purposes as provided by law. Subject to the rights of holders of the Company's Preferred Stock, holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive ratably on a per share basis such dividends and other distributions in cash, stock or property of the Company as may be declared by the board of directors from time to time out of the legally available assets or funds of the Company.
	The following table illustrates the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes, as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
			September 30,
			2014	2013
		Pension and postretirement adjustments (See Note 8)	($32,212)	($34,612)
		Foreign currency translation	-19,388	-844
		Other	-446	-27
		Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	($52,046)	($35,483)
	In August 2011, the Company's board of directors authorized a program allowing the Company to purchase up to $750 million of its outstanding shares of Common Stock, subject to market conditions. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011, the Company purchased 6.6 million shares of its Common Stock for a total of $250.0 million. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012, the Company purchased 13.4 million shares of its Common Stock for $500.0 million to complete its authorization under this program.
	In May 2012, the Company's board of directors authorized a program allowing the Company to purchase up to $750 million of its outstanding shares of Common Stock, subject to market conditions. In August 2012, the Company entered into an Accelerated Share Repurchase (“ASR”) transaction with a financial institution and paid $650 million for the initial delivery of 16.8 million shares. The initial payment of $650 million funded stock purchases of $647.2 million, $2.0 million of previously declared dividends that were scheduled to be paid in September 2012, and $0.8 million in other fees. The number of shares ultimately purchased was based on the volume-weighted average price of the Company's Common Stock during the term of the ASR. The ASR transaction was settled in October 2012, at which time the Company received 0.1 million incremental shares. In addition to the ASR transaction, during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012, the Company purchased 0.2 million shares of its Common Stock for a total of $5.9 million. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, the Company purchased 0.6 million shares of its Common Stock for a total of $25.7 million under this program. This program was closed during the fiscal year ended September 2013 as a result of the November 2012 ASR transaction (see below).
	In November 2012, the Company's board of directors authorized a program allowing the Company to purchase up to $750 million of its outstanding shares of Common Stock, subject to market conditions. Subsequently, in November 2012, the Company entered into an ASR transaction with a financial institution and paid $250 million for a delivery of 6.2 million shares. The initial payment of $250 million funded stock purchases of $248.5 million, $1.3 million of previously declared dividends that were scheduled to be paid in December 2012, and $0.2 million in other fees. The amount ultimately paid was based on the volume-weighted average price of the Company's Common Stock during the term of the ASR. The ASR transaction was settled in December 2012, at which time the Company paid the financial institution a cash settlement of $10.3 million. The Company applied 1.7 million shares for $71.2 million to the May 2012 share repurchase program, which completed its authorization under that program. The Company applied the remaining 4.5 million shares from the November 2012 ASR for $187.6 million to the November 2012 share repurchase program. In addition to the ASR transaction, during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, the Company purchased 3.6 million shares of its Common Stock for a total of $199.4 million. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014, the Company purchased 5.5 million shares of its Common Stock for a total of $363.0 million to complete this program.
	In August 2013, the Company's board of directors authorized the Company to purchase up to $750 million of its outstanding shares of Common Stock, subject to market conditions. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014, the Company purchased 2.4 million shares of its Common Stock for a total of $174.7 million under this program, which included $18.0 million of purchases that cash settled in October 2014. The Company had $575.3 million of availability remaining under this share repurchase program as of September 30, 2014.
	In March 2013, the Company, Walgreens, and Alliance Boots entered into various agreements and arrangements pursuant to which Walgreens and Alliance Boots together were granted the right to purchase a minority equity position in the Company, beginning with the right, but not the obligation, to purchase up to 19,859,795 shares of the Company's Common Stock (approximately 7% of the Company's Common Stock, on a fully diluted basis as of the date of issuance, assuming the exercise in full of the Warrants, as defined below) in open market transactions. In connection with these arrangements, Walgreens Pharmacy Strategies, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Walgreens, was issued (a) a warrant to purchase up to 11,348,456 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $51.50 per share exercisable during a six-month period beginning in March 2016, and (b) a warrant to purchase up to 11,348,456 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $52.50 per share exercisable during a six-month period beginning in March 2017 and Alliance Boots Luxembourg S.à.r.l., a wholly owned subsidiary of Alliance Boots, was issued (a) a warrant to purchase up to 11,348,456 shares of the Company's common Stock at an exercise price of $51.50 per share exercisable during a six-month period beginning in March 2016, and (b) a warrant to purchase up to 11,348,456 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $52.50 per share exercisable during a six-month period beginning March 2017 (collectively, the “Warrants).
	The Company valued these Warrants as of March 18, 2013 (date of issuance) and revised the valuation each subsequent quarter. As of September 30, 2014, the Warrants with an exercise price of $51.50 were valued at $25.20 per share and the Warrants with an exercise price of $52.50 were valued at $25.02 per share. In total, the Warrants were valued at $1,139.8 million as of September 30, 2014.
	The Company has taken steps to mitigate the potentially dilutive effect that exercise of the Warrants could have by hedging a portion of its future obligation to deliver Common Stock with a financial institution and repurchasing additional shares of its Common Stock for the Company's own account over time.  In June 2013, the Company commenced its hedging strategy by entering into a contract with a financial institution pursuant to which it has executed a series of issuer capped call transactions (“Capped Calls”).  The Capped Calls give the Company the right to buy shares of its Common Stock subject to the Warrants at specified prices at maturity, should the Warrants be exercised in 2016 and 2017 and were intended to cover approximately 60% of the shares subject to the Warrants at the time the Company entered into the transactions. The Capped Calls are subject to a “cap” price. If the Company's share price exceeds the “cap” price in the Capped Calls at the time the Warrants are exercised, the number of shares that will be delivered to the Company under the Capped Calls will be reduced, and accordingly, will cover less than 60% of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Warrants.
	Through September 30, 2013, the Company purchased Capped Calls on 15.3 million shares of its Common Stock for a total premium of $163.4 million. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014, the Company completed this hedge transaction by purchasing Capped Calls on an additional 11.9 million shares of its Common Stock for a total premium of $205.3 million. The Capped Calls permit the Company to acquire shares of its Common Stock at strike prices of $51.50 and $52.50 and have expiration dates ranging from February 2016 through October 2017. The Capped Calls permit net share settlement, which is limited by caps in the market price of the Company's Common Stock. The Company has accounted for the Capped Calls as equity contracts, and therefore, the above premiums were recorded as reductions to paid-in-capital.
	In May 2014, the Company's board of directors authorized a special program allowing the Company to purchase up to $650 million of its outstanding shares of Common Stock, subject to market conditions, as an opportunity to further mitigate the potentially dilutive effect of the Warrants and supplements the Company's previously executed warrant hedging strategy. Through September 30, 2014, the Company purchased 3.4 million shares of its Common Stock for a total of $252.0 million under this program, which included $18.0 million of purchases that cash settled in October 2014. The Company has $398.0 million of availability remaining under this special share repurchase program as of September 30, 2014.
	Basic earnings per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during the periods presented. Diluted earnings per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during the periods plus the dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and the Warrants. The following table (in thousands) is a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share.
			September 30,
			2014	2013	2012
		Weighted average common shares outstanding — basic	227,367	231,067	252,906
		Effect of dilutive securities — stock options, restricted stock,
		and restricted stock units	4,787	4,278	3,997
		Dilutive effect of Warrants	3,251	-	-
		Weighted average common shares outstanding — diluted	235,405	235,345	256,903
	The potentially dilutive employee stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and Warrants that were antidilituve for fiscal 2014 and 2012 were 2.0 million and 2.1 million, respectively. There were no potentially dilutive stock options, restricted stock, or restricted stock units that were antidilutive for fiscal 2013. All Warrants were antidilutive for fiscal 2013.

Pension_and_Other_Benefit_Plan

Pension and Other Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Pension And Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure Text Block	'
	Note 8. Pension and Other Benefit Plans
	The Company sponsors various retirement benefit plans, including defined benefit pension plans, defined contribution plans, postretirement medical plans and a deferred compensation plan covering eligible employees. Expenses relating to these plans were $27.9 million, $22.1 million, and $20.3 million in fiscal 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
	The Company recognizes the funded status (the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligations) of its defined benefit pension plans and postretirement benefit plans in its balance sheet, with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes. Included in accumulated other comprehensive loss at September 30, 2014 are net actuarial losses of $55.5 million ($32.2 million, net of income taxes). The net actuarial loss in accumulated other comprehensive loss that is expected to be amortized into fiscal 2015 net periodic pension expense is $4.1 million ($2.4 million, net of income taxes).
	Defined Benefit Plans
	The Company provides a benefit for certain employees under two different noncontributory defined benefit pension plans consisting of a salaried plan and a supplemental executive retirement plan. Both plans are closed to new participants and benefits that can be earned by active participants in the plans are limited. For each employee, the benefits are based on years of service and average compensation. Pension costs, which are computed using the projected unit credit cost method, are funded to at least the minimum level required by government regulations.
	The Company approved the termination, effective August 1, 2014, of the salaried defined benefit pension plan, under which approximately 3,200 participants, including 500 active employees, have accrued benefits. Distribution of plan assets pursuant to the termination will not be made until the plan termination satisfies all regulatory requirements, which is expected to occur by the end of calendar 2015. Plan participants will receive vested benefits from the plan assets by electing either a lump-sum distribution or an annuity contract with a qualifying third-party provider. The purchase of the annuities will result in a one-time expense, which is primarily attributable to pension settlement accounting rules that require accelerated recognition of actuarial losses that were to be amortized over 15 years. The expense is subject to change based on the actual lump sum and annuity purchase rates at the date of distribution.
	The Company has an unfunded supplemental executive retirement plan for certain former officers and key employees. This plan is closed to new participants and benefits that can be earned by active participants are limited. This plan is a “target” benefit plan, with the annual lifetime benefit based upon a percentage of salary during the five final years of pay at age 62, offset by several other sources of income including benefits payable under a prior supplemental retirement plan.
	The following table sets forth (in thousands) a reconciliation of the changes in the Company-sponsored defined benefit pension plans:
			Fiscal Year Ended
			September 30,
			2014			2013
		Change in Projected Benefit Obligations:
		Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	149,404		$	166,244
		Interest cost		6,758			6,104
		Actuarial losses (gains)		13,329			-15,560
		Benefit payments		-7,803			-7,384
		Benefit obligation at end of year	$	161,688		$	149,404
		Change in Plan Assets:
		Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	159,966		$	158,391
		Actual return on plan assets		22,000			8,005
		Employer contributions		2,475			2,173
		Expenses		-1,202			-1,219
		Benefit payments		-7,803			-7,384
		Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	175,436		$	159,966
		Funded Status and Amounts Recognized:
		Funded status	$	13,748		$	10,562
		Net amount recognized	$	13,748		$	10,562
		Amounts recognized in the balance sheets consist of:
		Noncurrent assets	$	18,639		$	16,563
		Current liabilities		-1,771			-2,826
		Noncurrent liabilities		-3,120			-3,175
		Net amount recognized	$	13,748		$	10,562
	Weighted average assumptions used (as of the end of the fiscal year) in computing the benefit obligation were as follows:
			2014			2013
		Discount rate	4.08	%		4.65	%
		Rate of increase in compensation levels	N/A			N/A
	The following table provides components of net periodic benefit cost for the Company-sponsored defined benefit pension plans together with contributions charged to expense for multi-employer union-administered defined benefit pension plans that the Company participates in (in thousands):
			Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
			2014			2013		2012
		Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost:
		Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	$	6,758		$	6,104	$	6,560
		Expected return on plan assets		-8,086			-9,955		-10,475
		Recognized net actuarial loss		4,092			5,963		4,758
		Loss due to curtailments, settlements and other		1,261			985		1,518
		Net periodic pension cost of defined benefit pension plans		4,025			3,097		2,361
		Net pension cost of multi-employer plans		-			156		294
		Total pension expense	$	4,025		$	3,253	$	2,655
	Weighted average assumptions used (as of the beginning of the fiscal year) in computing the net periodic benefit cost were as follows:
			2014			2013		2012
		Discount rate	4.65	%		3.7	%	4.6	%
		Rate of increase in compensation levels	N/A			N/A		N/A
		Expected long-term rate of return on assets	5.3	%		6.75	%	8	%
	To determine the expected long-term rate of return on assets, the Company considered the current and expected asset allocations, as well as historical and expected returns on various categories of plan assets.
	The Compensation and Succession Planning Committee (“Compensation Committee”) of the Company's board of directors has delegated the administration of the pension and benefit plans to the Company's Benefits Committee, an internal committee, composed of senior finance, human resources and legal executives. The Benefits Committee is responsible for oversight of the investment management of the assets of the Company's pension plans and the investment options under the Company's savings plans as well as the performance of the investment advisers and plan administrators. The Benefits Committee has adopted an investment policy for the Company's pension plan, which includes guidelines regarding, among other things, the selection of acceptable asset classes, allowable ranges of holdings, rebalancing of assets, the definition of acceptable securities within each class, and investment performance expectations.
	As a result of the planned termination of the salaried defined benefit pension plan, the target asset allocation was adjusted to only include fixed income securities and cash. The fixed income securities are diversified in terms of domestic and international securities and large cap and small cap companies. The actual and target asset allocations expressed as a percentage of the plans' assets at the measurement date are as follows:
			Pension Asset					Target
			Allocation					Allocation
			2014			2013		2014		2013
		Asset Category:
		Equity securities	-	%		42	%	-	%	41	%
		Debt securities	99			57		99		58
		Cash and cash equivalents	1			1		1		1
		Total	100	%		100	%	100	%	100	%
The investment goals are to achieve the optimal return possible within the specific risk parameters and, at a minimum, produce results, which achieve the plans' assumed interest rate for funding the plans over a full market cycle. High levels of risk and volatility are reduced by maintaining diversified portfolios. Allowable investments include government-backed fixed income securities, investment grade corporate bonds, residential backed mortgage securities, equity securities and cash equivalents. Prohibited investments include unregistered or restricted stock, commodities, margin trading, options and futures, short-selling, venture capital, private placements, real estate and other high risk investments.
The fair value of the Company's pension plan assets, totaling $175.4 million and $160.0 million at September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, is determined using a fair value hierarchy by asset class. The fair value hierarchy has three levels based on the reliability of the inputs to determine fair value. Level 1 refers to fair values determined based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. Level 2 refers to fair values estimated using significant other observable inputs and Level 3 includes fair values estimated using significant non-observable inputs.
The Company's pension plan assets at September 30, 2014 were comprised of $1.7 million invested in money market funds and $173.7 million invested in commingled fixed-income funds. The Company's pension plan assets at September 30, 2013 were comprised of $1.5 million invested in money market funds, $66.8 million invested in commingled equity funds, and $91.7 million invested in commingled fixed income funds. The fair values of the money market funds were determined using the Level 1 hierarchy. The fair values of the equity and fixed-income commingled funds, which have daily net asset values derived from the underlying securities, were determined by using the Level 2 hierarchy.
As of September 30, 2014 and 2013, all of the Company's defined benefit pension plans had plan assets in excess of the projected plan benefit obligations. The amounts related to these plans were as follows (in thousands):
		2014			2013
	Accumulated benefit obligation	$	161,688		$	149,404
	Projected benefit obligation	$	161,688		$	149,404
	Plan assets at fair value	$	175,436		$	159,966
The Company was not required to contribute to its salaried benefit plan in fiscal 2014 or 2013. During fiscal 2014 and 2013, the Company made no contributions to its salaried benefit plan. Expected benefit payments over the next ten years, assuming the salaried defined benefit pension plan termination does not occur, are anticipated to be paid as follows (in thousands):
		Pension Benefits
	Fiscal Year:
	2015	$	8,406
	2016		7,757
	2017		7,459
	2018		7,641
	2019		7,880
	2020-2024		44,209
	Total	$	83,352
Expected benefit payments are based on the same assumptions used to measure the benefit obligations.
Postretirement Benefit Plans
The Company provides medical benefits to certain retirees. The plans are closed to new participants and benefits that can be earned by active participants are limited. Employees became eligible for such postretirement benefits after meeting certain age and years of service criteria. As a result of special termination benefit packages previously offered, the Company also provides dental and life insurance benefits to a limited number of retirees and their dependents. These benefit plans are unfunded.
The following table sets forth (in thousands) a reconciliation of the changes in the Company-sponsored postretirement benefit plans:
			Fiscal Year Ended
			September 30,
			2014			2013
	Change in Accumulated Benefit Obligations:
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	9,454		$	10,810
	Interest cost		423			383
	Actuarial loss (gain)		523			-539
	Benefit payments		-881			-1,200
	Benefit obligation at end of year	$	9,519		$	9,454
	Change in Plan Assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	-		$	-
	Employer contributions		881			1,200
	Benefit payments		-881			-1,200
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	-		$	-
	Funded Status and Amounts Recognized:
	Funded status	$	-9,519		$	-9,454
	Net amount recognized	$	-9,519		$	-9,454
	Amounts recognized in the balance sheets consist of:
	Current liabilities	$	-714		$	-729
	Noncurrent liabilities		-8,805			-8,725
	Net amount recognized	$	-9,519		$	-9,454
Weighted average assumptions used (as of the end of the fiscal year) in computing the funded status of the plans were as follows:
		2014			2013
	Discount rate	4.08	%		4.65	%
	Health care trend rate assumed for next year	7.27	%		7.54	%
	Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline	4.5	%		4.5	%
	Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate	2024			2023
Assumed health care trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effect (in thousands):
		One Percentage Point
		Increase		Decrease
	Effect on total service and interest cost components	$46		($39)
	Effect on benefit obligation	$1,024		($874)
The following table provides components of net periodic benefit cost for the Company-sponsored postretirement benefit plans (in thousands):
		Fiscal Year Ended
		September 30,
		2014			2013		2012
	Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost:
	Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	$	424		$	383	$	501
	Recognized net actuarial gains		-453			-669		-958
	Total postretirement income	$	-29		$	-286	$	-457
Weighted average assumptions used (as of the beginning of the fiscal year) in computing the net periodic benefit cost were as follows:
		2014			2013		2012
	Discount rate	4.65	%		3.7	%	4.6	%
	Health care trend rate assumed for next year	7.54	%		7.82	%	8.1	%
	Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline	4.5	%		4.5	%	4.5	%
	Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate	2024			2023		2022
Expected postretirement benefit payments over the next ten years are anticipated to be paid as follows (in thousands):
		Postretirement Benefits
	Fiscal Year:
	2015	$	751
	2016		723
	2017		696
	2018		644
	2019		639
	2020-2024		3,162
	Total	$	6,615
Defined Contribution Plans
The Company sponsors the AmerisourceBergen Employee Investment Plan, which is a defined contribution 401(k) plan covering salaried and certain hourly employees. Eligible participants may contribute to the plan from 1% to 25% of their regular compensation before taxes. The Company contributes $1.00 for each $1.00 invested by the participant up to the first 3% of the participant's salary and $0.50 for each additional $1.00 invested by the participant of up to an additional 2% of salary. An additional discretionary contribution, in an amount not to exceed the limits established by the Internal Revenue Code, may also be made depending upon the Company's performance. A discretionary contribution was approved for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014. There were no discretionary contributions made in the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013 or 2012. All contributions are invested at the direction of the employee in one or more funds. All contributions vest immediately except for the discretionary contributions made by the Company that vest in full after five years of credited service.
The Company also sponsors the AmerisourceBergen Corporation Benefit Restoration Plan. This unfunded plan provides benefits for selected key management, including all of the Company's executive officers. This plan will provide eligible participants with an annual amount equal to 4% of the participant's base salary and bonus incentive to the extent that his or her compensation exceeds the annual compensation limit established by Section 401(a) (17) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Costs of the defined contribution plans charged to expense for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013, and 2012 were $22.5 million, $17.4 million, and $16.4 million, respectively.
Deferred Compensation Plan
The Company sponsors the AmerisourceBergen Corporation 2001 Deferred Compensation Plan. This unfunded plan, under which 2.96 million shares of Common Stock are authorized for issuance, allows eligible officers, directors and key management employees to defer a portion of their annual compensation. The amount deferred may be allocated by the employee to cash, mutual funds or stock credits. Stock credits, including dividend equivalents, are equal to the full and fractional number of shares of Common Stock that could be purchased with the participant's compensation allocated to stock credits based on the average of closing prices of Common Stock during each month, plus, at the discretion of the board of directors, up to one-half of a share of Common Stock for each full share credited. Stock credit distributions are made in shares of Common Stock. No shares of Common Stock have been issued under the deferred compensation plan through September 30, 2014. The Company's liability relating to its deferred compensation plan as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $16.2 million and $13.3 million, respectively.

ShareBased_Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Share Based Compensation Abstract	'
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Text Block	'
	Note 9.  Share-Based Compensation
	Stock Options
	The Company's employee stock option plans provide for the granting of incentive and nonqualified stock options to acquire shares of Common Stock to employees at a price not less than the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date the option is granted. Option terms and vesting periods are determined at the date of grant by the Compensation Committee of the board of directors. Employee options generally vest ratably, in equal amounts, over a four-year service period and expire in seven years (ten years for all grants issued prior to February 2008). The Company's non-employee director stock option plans provide for the granting of nonqualified stock options to acquire shares of Common Stock to non-employee directors at the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of the grant. Non-employee director options vest ratably, in equal amounts, over a three-year service period and expire in ten years.
	At September 30, 2014, employee and non-employee director stock options for an additional 27.9 million shares may be granted under the AmerisourceBergen Corporation Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).
	The estimated fair values of options granted are expensed as compensation on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards and are net of estimated forfeitures. The Company estimates the fair values of option grants using a binomial option pricing model. Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of the Company's Common Stock and other factors, such as implied market volatility. The Company uses historical exercise data, taking into consideration the optionees' ages at grant date, to estimate the terms for which the options are expected to be outstanding. The Company anticipates that the terms of options granted in the future will be similar to those granted in the past. The risk-free rates during the terms of such options are based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.
	The weighted average fair values of the options granted during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013, and 2012 were $11.22, $6.54, and $6.36, respectively. The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair values of options granted:
			Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
			2014			2013		2012
		Weighted average risk-free interest rate	0.89	%		0.44	%	0.59	%
		Expected dividend yield	1.37	%		1.29	%	1.39	%
		Weighted average volatility of common stock	23.91	%		24.22	%	25.63	%
		Weighted average expected life of the options	3.69 years			3.69 years		3.69 years
	Changes to the above valuation assumptions could have a significant impact on share-based compensation expense. During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013, and 2012, the Company recorded stock option expense of $21.5 million, $20.2 million, and $15.4 million, respectively.
	A summary of the Company's stock option activity and related information for its option plans for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 is presented below:
							Weighted
					Weighted		Average
					Average		Remaining	Aggregate
					Exercise		Contractual	Intrinsic
			Options		Price		Term	Value
			(000’s)					(000’s)
		Outstanding at September 30, 2013	14,119		$33		4 years
		Granted	2,332		$68
		Exercised	-3,059		$27
		Forfeited	-272		$46
		Outstanding at September 30, 2014	13,120		$40		4 years	$488,591
		Exercisable at September 30, 2014	6,319		$30		3 years	$296,386
		Expected to vest after September 30, 2014	6,303		$49		5 years	$178,113
	The intrinsic value of stock option exercises during fiscal 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $132.4 million, $131.8 million, and $82.1 million, respectively.
	A summary of the status of the Company's nonvested options as of September 30, 2014 and changes during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 is presented below:
					Weighted
					Average
					Grant Date
			Options		Fair Value
			(000’s)
		Nonvested at September 30, 2013	7,667		$7
		Granted	2,332		$11
		Vested	-2,936		$7
		Forfeited	-262		$8
		Nonvested at September 30, 2014	6,801		$8
	During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013, and 2012, the total fair values of options vested were $19.1 million, $17.4 million, and $17.2 million, respectively. Expected future compensation expense relating to the 6.8 million nonvested options outstanding as of September 30, 2014 is $37.6 million, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.2 years.
	Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
	Restricted shares vest in full after three years. The estimated fair value of restricted shares under the Company's restricted stock plans is determined by the product of the number of shares granted and the grant date market price of the Company's Common Stock. The estimated fair value of restricted shares is expensed on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of three years. During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013, and 2012, the Company recorded restricted stock expense of $14.7 million, $12.1 million, and $9.0 million, respectively.
	A summary of the status of the Company's restricted shares as of September 30, 2014 and changes during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 is presented below:
					Weighted
					Average
			Restricted		Grant Date
			Shares		Fair Value
			(000’s)
		Nonvested at September 30, 2013	1,123		$39
		Granted	237		$69
		Vested	-289		$36
		Forfeited	-121		$39
		Nonvested at September 30, 2014	950		$48
	During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013, and 2012, the total fair values of restricted shares vested were $10.5 million, $9.7 million, and $6.1 million, respectively. Expected future compensation expense relating to the 1.0 million restricted shares outstanding as of September 30, 2014 is $19.0 million, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.1 years.
	Performance Stock Units
	Beginning in fiscal 2012, performance stock units were granted to certain executive employees under the Plan, which represent Common Stock potentially issuable in the future. Performance stock units vest at the end of a three-year performance period based on achievement of specific performance goals. Based on the extent to which the targets are achieved, vested shares may range from 0 percent to 150 percent of the target award amount. The fair value of performance stock units is determined by the grant date market price of the Company's Common Stock and the compensation expense associated with nonvested performance stock units is dependent on the Company's periodic assessment of the probability of the targets being achieved and its estimate of the number of shares that will ultimately be issued. During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company recognized $6.8 million, $3.7 million, and $1.5 million of compensation expense, respectively, related to these performance stock units.
	A summary of the status of the Company's nonvested performance stock units as of September 30, 2014 and changes during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 is presented below (based on target award amounts).
					Weighted
			Performance		Average
			Stock		Grant Date
			Units		Fair Value
			(000’s)
		Nonvested at September 30, 2013	210		$39
	Granted	95		$68
	Vested	-85		$37
	Nonvested at September 30, 2014	220		$52
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
The AmerisourceBergen Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan provides for an aggregate of 4,000,000 shares of Common Stock that may be sold to eligible employees (generally defined as employees with at least 30 days of service with the Company). The participants may elect to have the Company withhold up to 25% of base salary to purchase shares of the Company's Common Stock at a price equal to 95% of the fair market value of the stock on the last business day of each six-month purchase period. Each participant is limited to $25,000 of purchases during each calendar year. During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013, and 2012, the Company acquired 68,700 shares, 93,813 shares, and 113,692 shares, respectively, from the open market for issuance to participants in this plan. As of September 30, 2014, the Company has withheld $1.2 million from eligible employees for the purchase of additional shares of Common Stock.

Leases_and_Other_Commitments

Leases and Other Commitments	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Note 10.  Leases and Other Commitments
	At September 30, 2014, future minimum payments totaling $338.3 million under noncancelable operating leases with remaining terms of more than one fiscal year were due as follows: 2015 — $58.2 million; 2016 — $54.4 million; 2017 — $44.7 million; 2018 — $41.2 million; 2019 — $34.2 million; and thereafter — $105.6 million. In the normal course of business, operating leases are generally renewed or replaced by other leases. Certain operating leases include escalation clauses. Total rental expense was $81.8 million in fiscal 2014, $79.6 million in fiscal 2013, and $65.3 million in fiscal 2012.
	The Company has commitments to purchase product from influenza vaccine manufacturers through the 2015/2016 flu season. The Company is required to purchase doses at prices it believes will represent market prices. The Company currently estimates its remaining purchase commitment under these agreements will be approximately $72.9 million as of September 30, 2014, of which $57.2 million represents the Company's commitment in fiscal 2015.
	The Company outsources to IBM Global Services (“IBM”) a significant portion of its corporate and AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation information technology activities. The remaining commitment under the Company's arrangement, as amended in May 2014, which expires in June 2018, is approximately $74.1 million as of September 30, 2014, of which $37.1 million represents the Company's commitment in fiscal 2015.

Employee_Severance_Litigation_

Employee Severance, Litigation, and Other	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Restructuring Charges Abstract	'
Restructuring And Related Activities Disclosure Text Block	'
	Note 11.  Employee Severance, Litigation and Other
	The following table illustrates the charges incurred by the Company relating to employee severance, litigation and other for the three fiscal years ended September 30, 2014 (in thousands):
			2014		2013		2012
		Employee severance	$	1,913	$	491	$	33,040
		Deal-related transaction costs		6,279		22,976		11,100
		Total employee severance, litigation and other	$	8,192	$	23,467	$	44,140
	During fiscal 2012, the Company introduced a number of initiatives, some of which were made possible as a result of efficiencies gained through the implementation of the Company's enterprise resource planning system, to improve its operating efficiency across many of its businesses and certain administrative functions. In connection with these initiatives, the Company recorded $33.0 million of employee severance and other related costs in fiscal 2012. Other costs included an estimated $10.3 million liability to exit the Company's participation in a multi-employer pension plan resulting from a distribution facility closure in fiscal 2013. In connection with the fiscal 2012 initiatives, which the Company completed as of September 30, 2013, the Company terminated 314 employees. The Company also incurred $11.1 million of deal-related transaction costs in connection with business combinations in fiscal 2012.
	During fiscal 2013, the Company incurred $23.0 million of deal-related transaction costs (primarily related to professional fees with respect to the Walgreens and Alliance Boots transaction) and $0.5 million of employee severance and other related costs. During fiscal 2014, the Company incurred $6.3 million of deal-related transaction costs and $1.9 million of employee severance and other related costs.
	Employees receive their severance benefits over a period of time, generally not in excess of 12 months, or in the form of a lump-sum payment.

Legal_Matters_and_Contingencie

Legal Matters and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Loss Contingency [Abstract]	'
Legal Matters and Contingencies [Text Block]	'
	Note 12.  Legal Matters and Contingencies
	In the ordinary course of its business, the Company becomes involved in lawsuits, administrative proceedings, government subpoenas, and government investigations, including antitrust, commercial, environmental, product liability, intellectual property, regulatory, employment discrimination, and other matters.  Significant damages or penalties may be sought from the Company in some matters, and some matters may require years for the Company to resolve.  The Company establishes reserves based on its periodic assessment of estimates of probable losses.  There can be no assurance that an adverse resolution of one or more matters during any subsequent reporting period will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations for that period or on the Company's financial condition.
	Qui Tam
	The qui tam provisions of the federal civil False Claims Act and various state and local civil False Claims Acts permit a private person, known as a “relator” or whistleblower, to file civil actions under these statutes on behalf of the federal, state and local governments.  Such cases may involve allegations around the marketing, sale and/or purchase of pharmaceutical products.  Qui tam complaints are initially filed by the relator under seal (or on a confidential basis) and the filing of the complaint imposes obligations on government authorities to investigate the allegations in the complaint and to determine whether or not to intervene in the action.  Qui tam complaints remain sealed until the court in which the case was filed orders otherwise.
	The Company has learned that there are filings in one or more federal district courts, including a qui tam complaint filed by one of its former employees, that are under seal and may involve allegations against the Company (and/or subsidiaries or businesses of the Company, including its group purchasing organization for oncologists and its oncology distribution business) relating to its distribution of certain pharmaceutical products to providers. The Company and AmerisourceBergen Specialty Group (“ABSG”) have also received subpoenas from the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York (“USAO”) requesting production of documents and information relating to ABSG's oncology distribution center and former pharmacy in Dothan, Alabama, its group purchasing organization for oncologists, and intercompany transfers of certain oncology products, which the Company believes could be related to one or more of the qui tam actions that remain under seal. The Company is in the process of responding to the subpoenas.  The Company cannot predict the outcome of any pending action in which any AmerisourceBergen entity is or may become a defendant.
	Subpoenas from United States Attorney's Offices
	In fiscal 2012, the Company's subsidiary, AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation (“ABDC”), received a subpoena from the United States Attorney's Office in New Jersey (the “USAO”) in connection with a grand jury proceeding requesting documents concerning ABDC's program for controlling and monitoring diversion of controlled substances into channels other than for legitimate medical, scientific, and industrial purposes. ABDC also received a subpoena from the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) in connection with the matter. In addition to requesting information on ABDC's diversion control program generally, the subpoenas also request documents concerning specific customers' purchases of controlled substances. On August 30, 2013, ABDC received a second subpoena from the USAO and also a second subpoena from the DEA requesting additional information related to the documents produced in response to the first subpoena, as well as information regarding additional specific customers' purchases of controlled substances. On December 31, 2013, ABDC received a third subpoena from the USAO requesting additional information related to electronically stored information. On June 20, 2014, ABDC received a fourth subpoena requesting additional information related to the documents produced in response to the first and second subpoenas. On July 23, 2014, ABDC received a fifth subpoena requesting documents relating to specific customers and audits, among other information requests. The Company has responded to the subpoenas and is continuing to respond to subpoenas and requests for information. The Company cannot predict the outcome of this matter.
	In fiscal 2013 and in 2014, the Company or ABDC has also received similar subpoenas from the United States Attorney's Office in the District of Kansas and the United States Attorney's Office in the Northern District of Ohio in connection with grand jury proceedings requesting documents in concerning ABDC's program for controlling and monitoring diversion of controlled substances into channels other than for legitimate medical, scientific and industrial purposes. As in the New Jersey matter described above, in addition to requesting information on ABDC's diversion control program generally, the subpoenas also request documents concerning specific customers' purchases of controlled substances. The Company is in the process of responding to the subpoenas and cannot predict the outcome of these matters.
	West Virginia Complaint
	On June 26, 2012, the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia (“West Virginia”) filed a complaint (the “Complaint”) in the Circuit Court of Boone County, West Virginia, against a number of pharmaceutical wholesale distributors, including the Company's subsidiary, ABDC, alleging, among other things, that the distributors failed to provide effective controls and procedures to guard against diversion of controlled substances for illegitimate purposes in West Virginia. The Complaint also alleges that the distributors acted negligently by distributing controlled substances to pharmacies that serve individuals who abuse prescription pain medication and were unjustly enriched by such conduct, violated consumer credit and protection laws, created a public nuisance, and violated state antitrust laws in connection with the distribution of controlled substances. West Virginia is seeking injunctive relief to enjoin alleged violations of state regulations requiring suspicious order monitoring and reporting and to require defendants to fund a medical monitoring treatment program. The Complaint also seeks a jury trial to determine any losses and damages sustained by West Virginia as a result of the defendants' alleged conduct. On July 26, 2012, one of the defendants, J.M. Smith Corporation d/b/a Smith Drug Company, filed a Notice of Removal from the Circuit Court of Boone County, West Virginia to the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, and ABDC and all other defendants filed Consents to Removal. On August 27, 2012, West Virginia filed a Motion to Remand, to which J.M. Smith Corporate d/b/a Smith Drug Company, joined by all other defendants, filed a reply. On March 27, 2013, the Court granted West Virginia's Motion to Remand and West Virginia notified the parties that they intend to file an amended complaint. In advance of filing an amended complaint, West Virginia served discovery requests and subsequently filed a motion to compel. After responding to West Virginia's motion to compel and oral argument, defendants were ordered to provide limited responses. On January 2, 2014, West Virginia filed an amended complaint, which removed the claims for unjust enrichment, medical monitoring, and antitrust violations. On February 14, 2014, the defendants filed motions to dismiss the amended complaint. The plaintiffs filed responses in opposition to the defendants' motion to dismiss on May 6, 2014, and the defendants filed reply briefs in support of their motions on May 23, 2014. The court held oral argument on June 5, 2014. The motions to dismiss are currently pending before the court.  The Company cannot predict the outcome of this matter.

Litigation_Settlements

Litigation Settlements	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Gain (Loss) Related to Litigation Settlement [Abstract]	'
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure Text Block	'
	Note 13.  Litigation Settlements
	Antitrust Settlements
	Numerous class action lawsuits have been filed against certain brand pharmaceutical manufacturers alleging that the manufacturer, by itself or in concert with others, took improper actions to delay or prevent generic drugs from entering the market. The Company has not been a named plaintiff in any of these class actions, but has been a member of the direct purchasers' class (i.e., those purchasers who purchase directly from these pharmaceutical manufacturers). None of the class actions has gone to trial, but some have settled in the past with the Company receiving proceeds from the settlement funds. During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013, and 2012, the Company recognized gains of $24.4 million, $22.9 million, and $14.8 million, respectively, relating to the above-mentioned class action lawsuits. These gains, which are net of attorney fees and estimated payments due to other parties, were recorded as reductions to cost of goods sold in the Company's consolidated statements of operations.

Business_Segment_Information

Business Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure Text Block	'
	Note 14.  Business Segment Information
	The Company is organized based upon the products and services it provides to its customers. The Company's operations are comprised the Pharmaceutical Distribution reportable segment and Other. The Pharmaceutical Distribution reportable segment consists of the AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation (“ABDC”) and AmerisourceBergen Specialty Group (“ABSG”) operating segments. Other consists of the AmerisourceBergen Consulting Services (“ABCS”) and World Courier Group, Inc. (“World Courier”) operating segments.
	The Company has aggregated the operating segments of ABDC and ABSG into one reportable segment, the Pharmaceutical Distribution segment. The results of operations of the ABCS and World Courier operating segments are not significant enough to require separate reportable segment disclosure, and therefore have been included in Other for the purpose of reportable segment presentation.
	The Company's ability to aggregate ABDC and ABSG into one reportable segment was based on the following:
	•       the objective and basic principles of ASC 280;
	•       the aggregation criteria as noted in ASC 280; and
	•       the fact that ABDC and ABSG have similar economic characteristics.
	The chief operating decision maker for the Company is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company whose function is to allocate resources to, and assess the performance of, the ABDC and ABSG operating segments. ABDC and ABSG each have an executive who functions as an operating segment manager whose role includes reporting directly to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company on their respective operating segment's business activities, financial results and operating plans.
	The businesses of the Pharmaceutical Distribution operating segments are similar in that they service both healthcare providers and pharmaceutical manufacturers in the pharmaceutical supply channel. The distribution of pharmaceutical drugs has historically represented more than 95% of the Company's revenues. ABDC and ABSG each operate in a high volume and low margin environment and, as a result, their economic characteristics are similar. Each operating segment warehouses and distributes products in a similar manner. Additionally, each operating segment is subject, in whole or in part, to the same extensive regulatory environment under which the pharmaceutical distribution industry operates.
	ABDC distributes a comprehensive offering of brand-name and generic pharmaceuticals (including specialty pharmaceutical products), over-the-counter healthcare products, home healthcare supplies and equipment, and related services to a wide variety of healthcare providers, including acute care hospitals and health systems, independent and chain retail pharmacies, mail order pharmacies, medical clinics, long-term care and other alternate site pharmacies and other customers. ABDC also provides pharmacy management, staffing and other consulting services; scalable automated pharmacy dispensing equipment; medication and supply dispensing cabinets; and supply management software to a variety of retail and institutional healthcare providers. Additionally, ABDC delivers packaging solutions to institutional and retail healthcare providers.
	ABSG, through a number of operating businesses, provides distribution and other services to physicians who specialize in a variety of disease states, especially oncology, and to other healthcare providers, including hospitals and dialysis clinics. ABSG also distributes plasma and other blood products, injectible pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and other specialty products. Additionally, ABSG provides third party logistics and outcomes research, and other services for biotechnology and other pharmaceutical manufacturers.
	The Company's use of the terms “specialty” and “specialty pharmaceutical products” refers to drugs used to treat complex diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis. Specialty pharmaceutical products are part of complex treatment regimens for serious conditions and diseases that generally require ongoing clinical monitoring. The Company believes the terms “specialty” and “specialty pharmaceutical products” are used consistently by industry participants and its competitors. However, the Company cannot be certain that other distributors of specialty products define these and other similar terms in exactly the same manner as the Company does.
	Both ABDC and ABSG distribute specialty drugs to their customers, with the principal difference between these two operating segments being that ABSG operates distribution facilities that focus primarily on complex disease treatment regimens. Therefore, a product distributed from one of ABSG's distribution facilities results in revenue reported under ABSG, and a product distributed from one of ABDC's distribution centers results in revenue reported under ABDC. Essentially, all of ABSG's sales consist of specialty pharmaceutical products. ABDC sales of specialty pharmaceutical products have historically been a relatively small component of its overall revenue.
	As noted above, Other consists of the ABCS and World Courier operating segments. ABCS, through a number of operating businesses, provides commercialization support services including reimbursement support programs, outcomes research, contract field staffing, patient assistance and co-pay assistance programs, adherence programs, risk mitigation services, and other market access programs to pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturers. World Courier, which operates in over 50 countries, is a leading global specialty transportation and logistics provider for the biopharmaceutical industry.
	The following tables illustrate reportable segment information for the periods indicated (in thousands):
			Revenue
		Fiscal year ended September 30,	2014		2013		2012
		Pharmaceutical Distribution	$	117,383,967	$	86,063,531	$	76,689,550
		Other		2,449,149		2,087,968		1,575,738
		Intersegment eliminations		-263,989		-192,332		-184,482
		Revenue	$	119,569,127	$	87,959,167	$	78,080,806
	Intersegment eliminations primarily represent the elimination of certain ABCS sales to the Pharmaceutical Distribution reportable segment.
			Operating Income
		Fiscal year ended September 30,	2014		2013		2012
		Pharmaceutical Distribution	$	1,405,992	$	1,162,352	$	1,254,386
		Other		150,617		128,074		97,716
		Total segment operating income	$	1,556,609	$	1,290,426	$	1,352,102
	The following table reconciles total segment operating income to income from continuing operations before income taxes (in thousands):
			Income From Continuing Operations
			Before Income Taxes
		Fiscal year ended September 30,	2014		2013		2012
		Total segment operating income	$	1,556,609	$	1,290,426	$	1,352,102
		Gains on antitrust litigation settlements		24,436		22,883		14,813
		LIFO expense		-348,063		-277,001		-706
		Acquisition related intangibles amortization		-23,167		-24,387		-18,454
		Warrant expense		-422,739		-90,055		-
		Employee severance, litigation and other		-8,192		-23,467		-44,140
		Operating income		778,884		898,399		1,303,615
		Other (income) loss		-4,360		44		-5,827
		Interest expense, net		76,862		73,897		92,569
		Loss on early retirement of debt		32,954		-		-
		Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	673,428	$	824,458	$	1,216,873
	Segment operating income is evaluated by the chief operating decision maker of the Company before gains on antitrust litigation settlements; LIFO expense; acquisition related intangibles amortization; Warrant expense; employee severance, litigation and other; other (income) loss; interest expense, net; and loss on early retirement of debt. All corporate office expenses are allocated to each operating segment.
			Assets
		At September 30,	2014		2013
		Pharmaceutical Distribution	$	20,009,181	$	17,486,861
		Other		1,523,002		1,431,777
		Total assets	$	21,532,183	$	18,918,638
			Depreciation & Amortization
		Fiscal year ended September 30,	2014		2013		2012
		Pharmaceutical Distribution	$	131,782	$	109,401	$	91,915
		Other		30,340		28,398		24,006
		Acquisition related intangibles amortization		23,167		24,387		18,454
		Total depreciation and amortization	$	185,290	$	162,186	$	134,375
	Depreciation and amortization includes depreciation and amortization of property and equipment and intangible assets, but excludes amortization of deferred financing costs and other debt-related items which are included in interest expense.
			Capital Expenditures
		Fiscal year ended September 30,	2014		2013		2012
		Pharmaceutical Distribution	$	222,985	$	170,989	$	85,600
		Other		41,472		31,461		47,692
		Total capital expenditures	$	264,457	$	202,450	$	133,292

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Disclosures Text Block	'
	Note 15.  Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The recorded amounts of the Company's cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable at September 30, 2014 and 2013 approximate fair value based upon the relatively short-term nature of these financial instruments. Within cash and cash equivalents, the Company had $400.0 million of investments in money market accounts as of September 30, 2014. The Company had no investments in money market accounts as of September 30, 2013. The fair values of the money market accounts were determined on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets, otherwise known as Level 1 inputs. The recorded amount of long-term debt (see Note 6) and the corresponding fair value as of September 30, 2014 were $1,995.6 million and $2,056.6 million, respectively. The recorded amount of long-term debt and the corresponding fair value as of September 30, 2013 were $1,396.6 million and $1,502.0 million, respectively. The fair values of long-term debt were determined based on quoted market prices, otherwise known as Level 2 inputs.

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Quarterly Financial Information Text Block	'
	Note 16.  Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)
			Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2014
			First			Second			Third			Fourth			Fiscal
			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Year
				(In thousands, except per share amounts)
		Revenue	$	29,176,362		$	28,455,903		$	30,348,154		$	31,588,708		$	119,569,127
		Gross profit (a)	$	688,225		$	729,593		$	692,004		$	872,544		$	2,982,366
		Distribution, selling and
		administrative expenses,
		depreciation, and
		amortization		408,010			420,835			434,945			508,761			1,772,551
		Warrant expense		116,297			5,663			145,040			155,739			422,739
		Employee severance,
		litigation and other		4,302			1,967			1,142			781			8,192
		Operating income	$	159,616		$	301,128		$	110,877		$	207,263		$	778,884
		Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	48,931		$	180,077		$	-12,780		$	67,802		$	284,030
		Loss from discontinued
		operations, net of tax (b)		-7,546			-			-			-			-7,546
		Net income (loss)	$	41,385		$	180,077		$	-12,780		$	67,802		$	276,484
		Earnings per share from continuing
		operations:
		Basic	$	0.21		$	0.78		$	-0.06		$	0.3		$	1.25
		Diluted	$	0.21		$	0.76		$	-0.06		$	0.29		$	1.21
		Earnings per share:
		Basic	$	0.18		$	0.78		$	-0.06		$	0.3		$	1.22
		Diluted	$	0.17		$	0.76		$	-0.06		$	0.29		$	1.17
		____________
	(a)
	(b)
	The first, second, and third quarters of fiscal 2014 include gains of $21.0 million, $0.8 million, and $2.5 million, respectively, from antitrust litigation settlements. The first, second, third, and fourth quarters of fiscal 2014 include LIFO charges of $57.6 million, $102.8 million, $133.2 million, and $54.4 million, respectively.
	Includes the impact of a final purchase price working capital adjustment related to the divestiture of ABCC (see Note 3).
		Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2013
		First			Second			Third			Fourth			Fiscal
		Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Year
			(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	Revenue	$	21,059,811		$	20,523,668		$	21,906,648		$	24,469,040		$	87,959,167
	Gross profit (a)	$	660,828		$	716,989		$	562,450		$	567,552		$	2,507,819
	Distribution, selling and
	administrative expenses,
	depreciation and amortization		359,384			363,404			372,311			400,799			1,495,898
	Warrant expense		-			3,761			35,815			50,479			90,055
	Employee severance, litigation
	and other		2,004			-299			19,678			2,084			23,467
	Operating income	$	299,440		$	350,123		$	134,646		$	114,190		$	898,399
	Income from continuing operations	$	174,621		$	204,143		$	64,110		$	50,561		$	493,435
	(Loss) income from discontinued
	operations, net of tax (b)		-6,010			-158,509			104,329			462			-59,728
	Net income	$	168,611		$	45,634		$	168,439		$	51,023		$	433,707
	Earnings per share from continuing
	operations:
	Basic	$	0.75		$	0.89		$	0.28		$	0.22		$	2.14
	Diluted	$	0.74		$	0.87		$	0.27		$	0.22		$	2.1
	Earnings per share:
	Basic	$	0.73		$	0.2		$	0.73		$	0.22		$	1.88
	Diluted	$	0.71		$	0.19		$	0.71		$	0.22		$	1.84
	____________
	The first, second, third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2013 include gains of $12.3 million, $3.5 million, $6.0 million, and $1.1 million, respectively, from antitrust litigation settlements. The first, second, third, and fourth quarters of fiscal 2013 include a LIFO charge of $1.1 million, a LIFO credit of $0.2 million, a LIFO charge of $122.1 million, and a LIFO charge of $154.0 million, respectively.
	Includes (loss) income from AB and ABCC, both of which were divested in May 2013 (see Note 3).

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Valuation And Qualifying Accounts Disclosure Text Block	'
	AMERISOURCEBERGEN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
	SCHEDULE II — VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
					Additions
		Balance at		Charged to		Charged to				Balance at
		Beginning		Costs and		Other		Deductions-		End of
	Description	of Period		Expenses (1)		Accounts		Describe (2)		Period
		(In thousands)
	Year Ended September 30, 2014
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	82,380	$	26,634	$	-	$	-19,567	$	89,447
	Year Ended September 30, 2013
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	85,741	$	20,118	$	-	$	-23,479	$	82,380
	Year Ended September 30, 2012
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	88,833	$	23,058	$	-	$	-26,150	$	85,741
	___________
	(1)       Represents the provision for doubtful accounts.
	(2)       Represents accounts written off during year, net of recoveries.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Nature Of Operations	'
	AmerisourceBergen Corporation (the “Company”) is one of the largest global pharmaceutical sourcing and distribution services companies, helping both healthcare providers and pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturers improve patient access to products and enhance patient care. The Company delivers innovative programs and services designed to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the pharmaceutical supply chain.
Consolidation Policy Text Block	'
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries as of the dates and for the fiscal years indicated. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual amounts could differ from these estimated amounts due to uncertainties inherent in such estimates. Management periodically evaluates estimates used in the preparation of the financial statements for continued reasonableness.
Reclassifications [Text Block]	'
	Effective October 1, 2013, the Company transitioned the financial reporting of its Canadian business from the Pharmaceutical Distribution reportable segment to Other. As a result, reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts in order to conform to the current year presentation.
New Accounting Pronouncements Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification 605 – Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Codification. ASU 2014-09 outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. The standard's core principle is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 should be applied retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying ASU 2014-09 recognized at the date of initial application. ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those reporting periods. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this new accounting guidance.
	As of September 30, 2014, there are no other recently issued accounting standards that will have a material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operation upon their adoption.
Business Combinations Policy	'
	The purchase price of an acquired company, including the fair value of contingent consideration, is allocated between tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed from the acquired business based on their estimated fair values, with the residual of the purchase price recorded as goodwill. The results of operations of the acquired businesses are included in the Company's operating results from the dates of acquisition.
Cash And Cash Equivalents Policy Text Block	'
	The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The carrying value of cash equivalents approximates fair value.
Receivables Policy Text Block	'
	The Company sells its merchandise inventories to a large number of customers in the healthcare industry that include institutional and retail healthcare providers. Institutional healthcare providers include acute care hospitals, health systems, mail order pharmacies, long-term care and other alternate care pharmacies and providers of pharmacy services to such facilities, and physician offices. Retail healthcare providers include national and regional retail drugstore chains, independent community pharmacies and pharmacy departments of supermarkets and mass merchandisers. The financial condition of the Company's customers can be affected by changes in government reimbursement policies as well as by other economic pressures in the healthcare industry.
	The Company's trade accounts receivable are exposed to credit risk, but the risk is moderated because the Company's customer base is diverse and geographically widespread primarily within the U.S. The Company generally does not require collateral for trade receivables. In determining the appropriate allowance for doubtful accounts, the Company considers a combination of factors, such as the aging of trade receivables, industry trends, its customers' financial strength, credit standing, and payment and default history. Changes in these factors, among others, may lead to adjustments in the Company's allowance for doubtful accounts. The calculation of the required allowance requires judgment by Company management as to the impact of those and other factors on the ultimate realization of its trade receivables. Each of the Company's business units performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers' financial condition and maintains reserves for probable bad debt losses based on historical experience and for specific credit problems when they arise. There were no significant changes to this process during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013, and 2012 and bad debt expense was computed in a consistent manner during these periods. The bad debt expense for any period presented is equal to the changes in the period end allowance for doubtful accounts, net of write-offs, recoveries and other adjustments. Schedule II of this Form 10-K sets forth a rollforward of the allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company's largest customer in fiscal 2014, Walgreen Co. (“Walgreens”) accounted for 28% of revenue and represented approximately 42% of accounts receivable, net as of September 30, 2014. Express Scripts, Inc. (“Express Scripts”), the Company's second largest customer in fiscal 2014, accounted for 18% of revenue and represented approximately 13% of accounts receivable, net as of September 30, 2014.
	The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents with several financial institutions. Deposits held with banks may exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits. These deposits may be redeemed upon demand, and are maintained with financial institutions with reputable credit, and, therefore, bear minimal credit risk. The Company seeks to mitigate such risks by monitoring the risk profiles of these counterparties. The Company also seeks to mitigate risk by monitoring the investment strategy of money market accounts that it is invested in, which are classified as cash equivalents.
Commitments And Contingencies Policy Text Block	'
	Loss Contingencies: In the ordinary course of its business, the Company becomes involved in lawsuits, administrative proceedings, government subpoenas, and government investigations, including antitrust, commercial, environmental, product liability, intellectual property, regulatory, employment discrimination, and other matters. Significant damages or penalties may be sought from the Company in some matters, and some matters may require years for the Company to resolve. The Company records a liability when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount is reasonably estimable. The Company also performs an assessment of the materiality of loss contingencies where a loss is either not probable or it is reasonably possible that a loss could be incurred in excess of amounts accrued. If a loss or an additional loss has at least a reasonable possibility of occurring and the impact on the financial statements would be material, the Company provides disclosure of the loss contingency in the footnotes to its financial statements. The Company reviews all contingencies at least quarterly to determine whether the likelihood of loss has changed and to assess whether a reasonable estimate of the loss or the range of the loss can be made (see Note 12).
	Gain Contingencies: The Company records gain contingencies when they are realized. Gains from antitrust litigation settlements are realized upon the receipt of cash and recorded as a reduction to cost of goods sold because they represent a recovery of amounts historically paid to manufacturers to originally acquire the pharmaceuticals that were the subject of the antitrust litigation settlements (see Note 13).
Derivatives Policy Text Block	'
	The Company records all derivative financial instruments on the balance sheet at fair value and complies with established criteria for designation and effectiveness of hedging relationships. The Company's policy prohibits it from entering into derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes.
	As of September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company had one foreign currency denominated contract outstanding that hedges the foreign currency exchange risk of the C$50.0 million note that the Company received in conjunction with the sale of AmerisourceBergen Canada Corporation (see Note 3).
Equity Method Investments Policy	'
	The Company uses the equity method of accounting for its investments in entities in which it has significant influence; generally, this represents an ownership interest of between 20% and 50% (see Note 2). The Company's investments in marketable equity securities in which the Company does not have significant influence are classified as “available for sale” and are carried at fair value within the Other Assets line item on the consolidated balance sheet, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in the accumulated other comprehensive loss component of stockholders' equity. Unrealized losses that are determined to be other-than-temporary impairment losses are recorded as a component of earnings in the period in which that determination is made.
Foreign Currency Transactions And Translations Policy Text Block	'
	The functional currency of the Company's foreign operations is generally the applicable local currency. Assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars using the current exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, while revenues and expenses are translated at the weighted average exchange rates for the period. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss within stockholders' equity.
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Policy Text Block	'
	Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives, primarily trademarks and trade names, are not amortized; rather, they are tested for impairment at least annually. For the purpose of these impairment tests, the Company can elect to perform a qualitative analysis to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair values of its reporting units and indefinite lived intangible assets are less than the respective carrying values of those reporting units and indefinite lived intangible assets. The Company elected to bypass performing the qualitative screen and went directly to performing the first step quantitative analysis of the goodwill and indefinite lived intangible asset impairment tests in the current year. The Company may elect to perform the qualitative analysis in future periods.
	The first step in the quantitative process for the goodwill impairment test is to compare the carrying amount of the reporting unit's net assets to the fair value of the reporting unit. If the fair value exceeds the carrying value, no further evaluation is required and no impairment loss is recognized. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, then the second step must be completed, which involves allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to each asset and liability, with the excess being implied goodwill. An impairment loss occurs if the amount of the recorded goodwill exceeds the implied goodwill. The Company would be required to record any such impairment losses.
	The Company identifies its reporting units at the operating segment level. Generally, goodwill arises from acquisitions of specific operating companies and is assigned to the reporting unit in which a particular operating company resides.
	The Company utilizes a combination of income and market-based approaches to value its reporting units. The income approach to valuation relies on a discounted cash flow analysis to determine the fair value of each reporting unit, which considers forecasted cash flows discounted at an appropriate discount rate. The Company believes that market participants would use a discounted cash flow analysis to determine the fair value of its reporting units in a sale transaction. The annual goodwill impairment test requires the Company to make a number of assumptions and estimates concerning future levels of revenue growth, operating margins, depreciation, amortization and working capital requirements, which are based upon the Company's long-range plan. The discount rate is an estimate of the overall after-tax rate of return required by a market participant whose weighted average cost of capital includes both equity and debt, including a risk premium. While the Company uses the best available information to prepare its cash flow and discount rate assumptions, actual future cash flows or market conditions could differ significantly resulting in future impairment charges related to recorded goodwill balances. While there are always changes in assumptions to reflect changing business and market conditions, the Company's overall methodology and the population of assumptions used have remained unchanged.
	The impairment test for indefinite-lived intangibles other than goodwill (primarily trademarks and trade names) consists of a comparison of the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset to the carrying value of the asset as of the impairment testing date. The Company estimates the fair value of its indefinite-lived intangibles using the relief from royalty method. The Company believes the relief from royalty method is a widely used valuation technique for such assets. The fair value derived from the relief from royalty method is measured as the discounted cash flow savings realized from owning such trademarks and trade names and not having to pay a royalty for their use.
	The Company completed its required annual impairment tests relating to goodwill and other intangible assets in the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013, and 2012, and, as a result, determined that there were no impairments.
Income Tax Policy Text Block	'
	The Company accounts for income taxes using a method that requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for expected future tax consequences of temporary differences that currently exist between tax bases and financial reporting bases of the Company's assets and liabilities (commonly known as the asset and liability method). In assessing the ability to realize deferred tax assets, the Company considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
	The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. Tax benefits associated with uncertain tax positions that have met the recognition criteria are measured and recorded based on the highest probable outcome that is more than 50% likely to be realized after full disclosure and resolution of a tax examination.
Cost Of Sales Vendor Allowances Policy	'
	The Company accounts for fees and other incentives received from its suppliers, relating to the purchase or distribution of inventory, as a reduction to cost of goods sold. The Company considers these fees and other incentives to represent product discounts, and as a result, they are capitalized as product costs and relieved through cost of goods sold upon the sale of the related inventory.
Inventory Policy Text Block	'
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost for approximately 84% and 83% of the Company's inventories at September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, has been determined using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. If the Company had used the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method of inventory valuation, which approximates current replacement cost, inventories would have been approximately $881.8 million and $533.7 million higher than the amounts reported at September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company recorded LIFO expense of $348.1 million, $277.0 million, and $0.7 million in fiscal 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. The annual LIFO provision is affected by changes in inventory quantities, product mix, and manufacturing pricing practices, which may be impacted by market and other external influences, many of which are difficult to predict. Changes to any of the above factors can have a material impact to the Company's annual LIFO provision.
Property Plant And Equipment Policy Text Block	'
	Property and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from 3 to 40 years for buildings and improvements and from 3 to 10 years for machinery, equipment and other. The costs of repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred.
	The Company capitalizes project costs relating to computer software developed or obtained for internal use when the activities related to the project reach the application development stage. Costs that are associated with preliminary stage activities, training, maintenance, and all other post-implementation stage activities are expensed as they are incurred. Software development costs are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives, which range from 3 to 10 years.
Revenue Recognition Policy Text Block	'
	The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, product has been delivered or services have been rendered, the price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue as reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations is net of estimated sales returns and allowances.
	The Company's customer sales return policy generally allows customers to return products only if the products can be resold at full value or returned to suppliers for full credit. The Company records an accrual for estimated customer sales returns at the time of sale to the customer. At September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company's accrual for estimated customer sales returns was $932.6 million and $275.8 million, respectively.
	The Company reports the gross dollar amount of bulk deliveries to customer warehouses in revenue and the related costs in cost of goods sold. Bulk delivery transactions are arranged by the Company at the express direction of the customer, and involve either drop shipments from the supplier directly to customers' warehouse sites or cross-dock shipments from the supplier to the Company for immediate shipment to the customers' warehouse sites. The Company is a principal to these transactions because it is the primary obligor and has the ultimate and contractual responsibility for fulfillment and acceptability of the products purchased, and bears full risk of delivery and loss for products, whether the products are drop-shipped or shipped via cross-dock. The Company also bears full credit risk associated with the creditworthiness of any bulk delivery customer. As a result, the Company records bulk deliveries to customer warehouses as gross revenues. Gross profit earned by the Company on bulk deliveries was not material in any year presented.
Share Based Compensation Option And Incentive Plans Policy	'
	The Company accounts for the compensation cost of all share-based payments at fair value and reports the related expense within distribution, selling and administrative expenses to correspond with the same line item as the cash compensation paid to employees. The benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation expense are reported as a financing cash flow ($46.3 million, $41.2 million, and $25.7 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively). The fair value of performance stock units is determined by the grant date market price of the Company's Common Stock and the compensation expense associated with nonvested performance stock units is dependent on the Company's periodic assessment of the probability of the targets being achieved and its estimate of the number of shares that will ultimately be issued.
Shipping And Handling Cost Policy Text Block	'
	Shipping and handling costs include all costs to warehouse, pick, pack and deliver inventory to customers. These costs, which were $348.3 million, $267.3 million and $259.1 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively, are included in distribution, selling and administrative expenses.
Supplier Reserves Policy [Text Block]	'
	The Company establishes reserves against amounts due from its suppliers relating to various price and rebate incentives, including deductions or billings taken against payments otherwise due them from the Company. These reserve estimates are established based on the judgment of Company management after carefully considering the status of current outstanding claims, historical experience with the suppliers, the specific incentive programs and any other pertinent information available to the Company. The Company evaluates the amounts due from its suppliers on a continual basis and adjusts the reserve estimates when appropriate based on changes in factual circumstances. The ultimate outcome of any outstanding claim may be different than the Company's estimate.
Warrant Accounting Policy [Text Block]	'
	The Company accounts for the warrants issued to subsidiaries of Walgreens and Alliance Boots GmbH (“Alliance Boots”) (collectively, the “Warrants”) in accordance with the guidance for equity-based payments to non-employees. The various agreements and arrangements with Walgreens and Alliance Boots established various performance commitments that they must satisfy during the vesting periods of the Warrants, and if not fulfilled, the Company has the right to cancel the Warrants. Using a binomial lattice model approach, the fair value of the Warrants was initially measured at the date of issuance, and is being expensed over the three and four year vesting periods as an operating expense. The fair value of the Warrants are re-measured at the end of each quarterly reporting period, and an adjustment is recorded in the statement of operations to record the impact as if the newly measured fair value of the awards had been used in recognizing expense starting when the awards were originally issued and through the remeasurement date.  In total, the Warrants were valued at $1,139.8 million as of September 30, 2014. The valuation of the Warrants considers the Company's Common Stock price and various assumptions, such as the volatility of the Company's Common Stock, the expected remaining life of the Warrants, the expected dividend yield, and the risk-free interest rate. As a result, future Warrant expense could fluctuate significantly (see Note 7).

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Discontinued Operation Income Loss From Discontinued Operation Disclosures Abstract	'
Schedule of Disposal Groups Including Disccontinued Operations Income Statement Disclosures [Text Block]	'
			Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
		(in thousands)	2014		2013		2012
		Revenue	$	-	$	1,181,231	$	1,639,684
		Loss before income taxes	$	-7,546	$	-50,090	$	-37,534

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
schedule of income before income tax	'
				Fiscal year ended September 30,
				2014		2013		2012
		Domestic		$591,909		$793,137		$1,193,047
		Foreign		81,519		31,321		23,826
		Total		$673,428		$824,458		$1,216,873
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]	'
			Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
			2014		2013		2012
		Current provision:
		Federal	$297,052		$259,457		$356,843
		State and local	37,301		37,602		32,438
		Foreign	15,733		8,391		4,953
			350,086		305,450		394,234
		Deferred provision:
		Federal	16,576		29,189		47,348
		State and local	22,842		-3,375		11,959
		Foreign	-106		-241		1,971
			39,312		25,573		61,278
		Provision for income taxes	$389,398		$331,023		$455,512
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	'
			Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
			2014			2013			2012
		Statutory U.S. federal income tax rate	35	%		35	%		35	%
		State and local income tax rate, net of federal tax benefit	5.8			3			2.3
		Foreign	-1.9			-0.3			-0.1
		Warrants	18.4			2.3			-
		Other	0.5			0.2			0.2
		Effective income tax rate	57.8	%		40.2	%		37.4	%
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]	'
			September 30,
			2014		2013
		Merchandise inventories	$1,146,695		$1,016,522
		Property and equipment	111,525		128,289
		Goodwill and other intangible assets	273,147		260,357
		Other	988		1,322
		Gross deferred tax liabilities	1,532,355		1,406,490
		Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards	-59,404		-61,726
		Capital loss carryforwards	-61,886		-297,806
		Allowance for doubtful accounts	-33,915		-30,073
		Accrued expenses	-23,857		-16,731
		Employee and retiree benefits	-6,534		-4,884
		Stock options	-35,845		-29,356
		Warrants	-25,426		-8,897
		Other	-54,213		-57,640
		Gross deferred tax assets	-301,080		-507,113
		Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets	105,393		327,546
		Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance	-195,687		-179,567
		Net deferred tax liabilities	$1,336,668		$1,226,923
Summary of Income Tax Contingencies [Table Text Block]	'
		Balance at September 30, 2011	$35,803
		Additions of tax positions of the current year	6,094
		Additions of tax positions of the prior years	1,045
		Additions of tax positions due to acquisitions	2,748
		Reductions of tax positions of the prior years	-5,177
		Settlements with taxing authorities	-2,286
		Expiration of statutes of limitations	-1,237
		Balance at September 30, 2012	36,990
		Additions of tax positions of the current year	5,272
		Additions of tax positions of the prior years	2,825
		Additions of tax positions due to acquisitions	2,500
		Settlements with taxing authorities	-519
		Expiration of statutes of limitations	-801
		Balance at September 30, 2013	46,267
		Additions of tax positions of the current year	6,127
		Additions of tax positions of the prior years	1,249
		Reductions of tax positions of the prior years	-4,167
		Settlements with taxing authorities	-4,788
		Expiration of statutes of limitations	-1,780
		Balance at September 30, 2014	$42,908

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Goodwill Text Block	'
				Pharmaceutical
				Distribution		Other	Total
		Goodwill at September 30, 2012		$2,400,926		$542,058	$2,942,984
		Goodwill recognized in connection with acquisitions		-		3,000	3,000
		Foreign currency translation		-		-1,014	-1,014
		Goodwill at September 30, 2013		2,400,926		544,044	2,944,970
		Goodwill recognized in connection with acquisitions		-		5,665	5,665
		Foreign currency translation		-		-2,133	-2,133
		Goodwill at September 30, 2014		$2,400,926		$547,576	$2,948,502
Schedule of Other Intangible Assets [Text Block]	'
		September 30, 2014							September 30, 2013
		Gross					Net		Gross				Net
		Carrying			Accumulated		Carrying		Carrying		Accumulated		Carrying
		Amount			Amortization		Amount		Amount		Amortization		Amount
	Indefinite-lived intangibles — trade names	$	343,707		$	-	$	343,707	$	343,892	$	-	$	343,892
	Finite-lived intangibles:
	Customer relationships		268,208			-98,412		169,796		265,810		-80,767		185,043
	Other		71,114			-51,375		19,739		69,350		-43,542		25,808
	Total other intangible assets	$	683,029		$	-149,787	$	533,242	$	679,052	$	-124,309	$	554,743

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Debt Instruments Text Block	'
			September 30,
			2014		2013
			(Dollars in thousands)
		Multi-currency revolving credit facility due 2019	$	-	$	-
		Receivables securitization facility due 2016		-		-
		Revolving credit note		-		-
		$500,000, 5.875% senior notes due 2015		-		499,377
		$600,000, 1.15% senior notes due 2017		599,379		-
		$400,000, 4.875% senior notes due 2019		398,122		397,803
		$500,000, 3.50% senior notes due 2021		499,497		499,426
		$500,000, 3.40% senior notes due 2024		498,634		-
		Total debt	$	1,995,632	$	1,396,606

Stockholders_Equity_and_Earnin1

Stockholders Equity and Earnings per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Stockholders Equity and Earnings per Share Tables [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	'
			September 30,
			2014	2013
		Pension and postretirement adjustments (See Note 8)	($32,212)	($34,612)
		Foreign currency translation	-19,388	-844
		Other	-446	-27
		Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	($52,046)	($35,483)
Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Shares [Table Text Block]	'
			September 30,
			2014	2013	2012
		Weighted average common shares outstanding — basic	227,367	231,067	252,906
		Effect of dilutive securities — stock options, restricted stock,
		and restricted stock units	4,787	4,278	3,997
		Dilutive effect of Warrants	3,251	-	-
		Weighted average common shares outstanding — diluted	235,405	235,345	256,903

Pension_and_Other_Benefit_Plan1

Pension and Other Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
General Discussion of Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of Changes in Company Sponsored Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Text Block]	'
			Fiscal Year Ended
			September 30,
			2014			2013
		Change in Projected Benefit Obligations:
		Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	149,404		$	166,244
		Interest cost		6,758			6,104
		Actuarial losses (gains)		13,329			-15,560
		Benefit payments		-7,803			-7,384
		Benefit obligation at end of year	$	161,688		$	149,404
		Change in Plan Assets:
		Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	159,966		$	158,391
		Actual return on plan assets		22,000			8,005
		Employer contributions		2,475			2,173
		Expenses		-1,202			-1,219
		Benefit payments		-7,803			-7,384
		Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	175,436		$	159,966
		Funded Status and Amounts Recognized:
		Funded status	$	13,748		$	10,562
		Net amount recognized	$	13,748		$	10,562
		Amounts recognized in the balance sheets consist of:
		Noncurrent assets	$	18,639		$	16,563
		Current liabilities		-1,771			-2,826
		Noncurrent liabilities		-3,120			-3,175
		Net amount recognized	$	13,748		$	10,562
Weighted Average Assumptions Used In Computing Benefit Obligation [Text Block]	'
			2014			2013
		Discount rate	4.08	%		4.65	%
		Rate of increase in compensation levels	N/A			N/A
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]	'
			Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
			2014			2013		2012
		Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost:
		Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	$	6,758		$	6,104	$	6,560
		Expected return on plan assets		-8,086			-9,955		-10,475
		Recognized net actuarial loss		4,092			5,963		4,758
		Loss due to curtailments, settlements and other		1,261			985		1,518
		Net periodic pension cost of defined benefit pension plans		4,025			3,097		2,361
		Net pension cost of multi-employer plans		-			156		294
		Total pension expense	$	4,025		$	3,253	$	2,655
Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Computing Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Text Block]	'
			2014			2013		2012
		Discount rate	4.65	%		3.7	%	4.6	%
		Rate of increase in compensation levels	N/A			N/A		N/A
		Expected long-term rate of return on assets	5.3	%		6.75	%	8	%
Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]	'
			Pension Asset					Target
			Allocation					Allocation
			2014			2013		2014		2013
		Asset Category:
		Equity securities	-	%		42	%	-	%	41	%
		Debt securities	99			57		99		58
		Cash and cash equivalents	1			1		1		1
		Total	100	%		100	%	100	%	100	%
Accumulated and Projected Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets [Text Block]	'
			2014			2013
		Accumulated benefit obligation	$	161,688		$	149,404
		Projected benefit obligation	$	161,688		$	149,404
		Plan assets at fair value	$	175,436		$	159,966
Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments [Table Text Block]	'
			Pension Benefits
		Fiscal Year:
		2015	$	8,406
		2016		7,757
		2017		7,459
		2018		7,641
		2019		7,880
		2020-2024		44,209
		Total	$	83,352
Reconciliation of Changes in Company Sponsored Postretirement Benefit Plans [Text Block]	'
				Fiscal Year Ended
				September 30,
				2014			2013
		Change in Accumulated Benefit Obligations:
		Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	9,454		$	10,810
		Interest cost		423			383
		Actuarial loss (gain)		523			-539
		Benefit payments		-881			-1,200
		Benefit obligation at end of year	$	9,519		$	9,454
		Change in Plan Assets:
		Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	-		$	-
		Employer contributions		881			1,200
		Benefit payments		-881			-1,200
		Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	-		$	-
		Funded Status and Amounts Recognized:
		Funded status	$	-9,519		$	-9,454
		Net amount recognized	$	-9,519		$	-9,454
		Amounts recognized in the balance sheets consist of:
		Current liabilities	$	-714		$	-729
		Noncurrent liabilities		-8,805			-8,725
		Net amount recognized	$	-9,519		$	-9,454
Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Computing Funded Status [Text Block]	'
			2014			2013
		Discount rate	4.08	%		4.65	%
		Health care trend rate assumed for next year	7.27	%		7.54	%
		Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline	4.5	%		4.5	%
		Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate	2024			2023
Schedule of Effect of One-Percentage-Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates [Table Text Block]	'
			One Percentage Point
			Increase		Decrease
		Effect on total service and interest cost components	$46		($39)
		Effect on benefit obligation	$1,024		($874)
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Costs For Company Sponsored Postretirement Benefit Plans [Text Block]	'
			Fiscal Year Ended
			September 30,
			2014			2013		2012
		Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost:
		Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	$	424		$	383	$	501
		Recognized net actuarial gains		-453			-669		-958
		Total postretirement income	$	-29		$	-286	$	-457
Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Computing Postretirement Benefit Plans Net Periodic Benefit [Text Block]	'
			2014			2013		2012
		Discount rate	4.65	%		3.7	%	4.6	%
		Health care trend rate assumed for next year	7.54	%		7.82	%	8.1	%
		Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline	4.5	%		4.5	%	4.5	%
		Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate	2024			2023		2022
Expected Post Retirement Benefit Payments [Text Block]	'
			Postretirement Benefits
		Fiscal Year:
		2015	$	751
		2016		723
		2017		696
		2018		644
		2019		639
		2020-2024		3,162
		Total	$	6,615

ShareBased_Compensation_Tables

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]	'
			Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
			2014			2013		2012
		Weighted average risk-free interest rate	0.89	%		0.44	%	0.59	%
		Expected dividend yield	1.37	%		1.29	%	1.39	%
		Weighted average volatility of common stock	23.91	%		24.22	%	25.63	%
		Weighted average expected life of the options	3.69 years			3.69 years		3.69 years
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]	'
							Weighted
					Weighted		Average
					Average		Remaining	Aggregate
					Exercise		Contractual	Intrinsic
			Options		Price		Term	Value
			(000’s)					(000’s)
		Outstanding at September 30, 2013	14,119		$33		4 years
		Granted	2,332		$68
		Exercised	-3,059		$27
		Forfeited	-272		$46
		Outstanding at September 30, 2014	13,120		$40		4 years	$488,591
		Exercisable at September 30, 2014	6,319		$30		3 years	$296,386
		Expected to vest after September 30, 2014	6,303		$49		5 years	$178,113
Schedule of Nonvested Share Activity Table Text Block	'
					Weighted
					Average
					Grant Date
			Options		Fair Value
			(000’s)
		Nonvested at September 30, 2013	7,667		$7
		Granted	2,332		$11
		Vested	-2,936		$7
		Forfeited	-262		$8
		Nonvested at September 30, 2014	6,801		$8
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]	'
					Weighted
					Average
			Restricted		Grant Date
			Shares		Fair Value
			(000’s)
		Nonvested at September 30, 2013	1,123		$39
		Granted	237		$69
		Vested	-289		$36
		Forfeited	-121		$39
		Nonvested at September 30, 2014	950		$48
Schedule of Nonvested Performance Based Units Activity Table Text Block	'
					Weighted
			Performance		Average
			Stock		Grant Date
			Units		Fair Value
			(000’s)
		Nonvested at September 30, 2013	210		$39
		Granted	95		$68
		Vested	-85		$37
		Nonvested at September 30, 2014	220		$52

Employee_Severance_Litigation_1

Employee Severance, Litigation, and Other (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Restructuring And Related Costs Text Block	'
			2014		2013		2012
		Employee severance	$	1,913	$	491	$	33,040
		Deal-related transaction costs		6,279		22,976		11,100
		Total employee severance, litigation and other	$	8,192	$	23,467	$	44,140

Business_Segment_Information_T

Business Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
reconciliation of revenue from segments to consolidated	'
			Revenue
		Fiscal year ended September 30,	2014		2013		2012
		Pharmaceutical Distribution	$	117,383,967	$	86,063,531	$	76,689,550
		Other		2,449,149		2,087,968		1,575,738
		Intersegment eliminations		-263,989		-192,332		-184,482
		Revenue	$	119,569,127	$	87,959,167	$	78,080,806
reconciliation of operating profit	'
			Operating Income
		Fiscal year ended September 30,	2014		2013		2012
		Pharmaceutical Distribution	$	1,405,992	$	1,162,352	$	1,254,386
		Other		150,617		128,074		97,716
		Total segment operating income	$	1,556,609	$	1,290,426	$	1,352,102
reconciliation of assets from segment to consolidated	'
			Assets
		At September 30,	2014		2013
		Pharmaceutical Distribution	$	20,009,181	$	17,486,861
		Other		1,523,002		1,431,777
		Total assets	$	21,532,183	$	18,918,638
Total Segment Operating Profit To Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes [Member]	'
segment reporting	'
reconciliation of other significant reconciling items from segment	'
			Income From Continuing Operations
			Before Income Taxes
		Fiscal year ended September 30,	2014		2013		2012
		Total segment operating income	$	1,556,609	$	1,290,426	$	1,352,102
		Gains on antitrust litigation settlements		24,436		22,883		14,813
		LIFO expense		-348,063		-277,001		-706
		Acquisition related intangibles amortization		-23,167		-24,387		-18,454
		Warrant expense		-422,739		-90,055		-
		Employee severance, litigation and other		-8,192		-23,467		-44,140
		Operating income		778,884		898,399		1,303,615
		Other (income) loss		-4,360		44		-5,827
		Interest expense, net		76,862		73,897		92,569
		Loss on early retirement of debt		32,954		-		-
		Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	673,428	$	824,458	$	1,216,873
Depreciation and Amortization [Member]	'
segment reporting	'
reconciliation of other significant reconciling items from segment	'
			Depreciation & Amortization
		Fiscal year ended September 30,	2014		2013		2012
		Pharmaceutical Distribution	$	131,782	$	109,401	$	91,915
		Other		30,340		28,398		24,006
		Acquisition related intangibles amortization		23,167		24,387		18,454
		Total depreciation and amortization	$	185,290	$	162,186	$	134,375
Capital Expenditures [Member]	'
segment reporting	'
reconciliation of other significant reconciling items from segment	'
			Capital Expenditures
		Fiscal year ended September 30,	2014		2013		2012
		Pharmaceutical Distribution	$	222,985	$	170,989	$	85,600
		Other		41,472		31,461		47,692
		Total capital expenditures	$	264,457	$	202,450	$	133,292

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio1

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014												Sep. 30, 2013
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]	'												'
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]	'												'
			Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2014											Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2013
			First		Second		Third		Fourth		Fiscal			First		Second		Third		Fourth		Fiscal
			Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Year			Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Year
				(In thousands, except per share amounts)											(In thousands, except per share amounts)
		Revenue	$	29,176,362	$	28,455,903	$	30,348,154	$	31,588,708	$	119,569,127	Revenue	$	21,059,811	$	20,523,668	$	21,906,648	$	24,469,040	$	87,959,167
		Gross profit (a)	$	688,225	$	729,593	$	692,004	$	872,544	$	2,982,366	Gross profit (a)	$	660,828	$	716,989	$	562,450	$	567,552	$	2,507,819
		Distribution, selling and											Distribution, selling and
		administrative expenses,											administrative expenses,
		depreciation, and											depreciation and amortization		359,384		363,404		372,311		400,799		1,495,898
		amortization		408,010		420,835		434,945		508,761		1,772,551	Warrant expense		-		3,761		35,815		50,479		90,055
		Warrant expense		116,297		5,663		145,040		155,739		422,739	Employee severance, litigation
		Employee severance,											and other		2,004		-299		19,678		2,084		23,467
		litigation and other		4,302		1,967		1,142		781		8,192	Operating income	$	299,440	$	350,123	$	134,646	$	114,190	$	898,399
		Operating income	$	159,616	$	301,128	$	110,877	$	207,263	$	778,884	Income from continuing operations	$	174,621	$	204,143	$	64,110	$	50,561	$	493,435
		Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	48,931	$	180,077	$	-12,780	$	67,802	$	284,030	(Loss) income from discontinued
		Loss from discontinued											operations, net of tax (b)		-6,010		-158,509		104,329		462		-59,728
		operations, net of tax (b)		-7,546		-		-		-		-7,546	Net income	$	168,611	$	45,634	$	168,439	$	51,023	$	433,707
		Net income (loss)	$	41,385	$	180,077	$	-12,780	$	67,802	$	276,484	Earnings per share from continuing
		Earnings per share from continuing											operations:
		operations:											Basic	$	0.75	$	0.89	$	0.28	$	0.22	$	2.14
		Basic	$	0.21	$	0.78	$	-0.06	$	0.3	$	1.25	Diluted	$	0.74	$	0.87	$	0.27	$	0.22	$	2.1
		Diluted	$	0.21	$	0.76	$	-0.06	$	0.29	$	1.21	Earnings per share:
		Earnings per share:											Basic	$	0.73	$	0.2	$	0.73	$	0.22	$	1.88
		Basic	$	0.18	$	0.78	$	-0.06	$	0.3	$	1.22	Diluted	$	0.71	$	0.19	$	0.71	$	0.22	$	1.84
		Diluted	$	0.17	$	0.76	$	-0.06	$	0.29	$	1.17	____________
		____________

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual1

Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Tables [Text Block]	'
					Additions
		Balance at		Charged to		Charged to				Balance at
		Beginning		Costs and		Other		Deductions-		End of
	Description	of Period		Expenses (1)		Accounts		Describe (2)		Period
		(In thousands)
	Year Ended September 30, 2014
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	82,380	$	26,634	$	-	$	-19,567	$	89,447
	Year Ended September 30, 2013
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	85,741	$	20,118	$	-	$	-23,479	$	82,380
	Year Ended September 30, 2012
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	88,833	$	23,058	$	-	$	-26,150	$	85,741
	___________

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

CAD

Walgreen Co [Member]

Express Scripts Inc [Member]

Concentration Risk [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Trade Receivable Due From Single Customer As Percentage of Accounts Receivable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

42.00%

13.00%

Customer Revenue as Percentage of Total Revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

28.00%

18.00%

Percentage Of LIFO Inventory

84.00%

'

'

'

83.00%

'

'

'

84.00%

83.00%

'

'

'

'

Excess Of Replacement Or Current Costs Over Stated LIFO Value

$881,800,000

'

'

'

$533,700,000

'

'

'

$881,800,000

$533,700,000

'

'

'

'

Inventory, LIFO Reserve, Period Charge

54,400,000

133,200,000

102,800,000

57,600,000

154,000,000

122,100,000

-200,000

1,100,000

348,063,000

277,001,000

706,000

'

'

'

Accrual for Estimated Customer Sales Returns

932,600,000

'

'

'

275,800,000

'

'

'

932,600,000

275,800,000

'

'

'

'

Excess tax benefit from the exercise of stock options

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

46,341,000

41,222,000

25,703,000

'

'

'

Shipping Handling And Transportation Costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

348,300,000

267,300,000

259,100,000

'

'

'

Discontinued Operations Note Due from Buyer

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50,000,000

'

'

Full Value of Warrants

$1,139,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

$242,400,000

'

$1,139,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Number of Instruments Held

1

'

'

'

1

'

'

'

1

1

'

'

'

'

Investments_Details

Investments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014
				Profarma [Member]	Specialty Joint Venture [Member]
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Abstract	'	'	'	'	'
Cost of equity investments	$117,794	$0	$0	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments Line Items	'	'	'	'	'
Equity Method investment Ownership Percentage	'	'	'	19.90%	50.00%

Discontinued_Operations_Detail

Discontinued Operations (Details)	12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	CAD	AmerisourceBergen Canada Corporation [Member]	AmerisourceBergen Canada Corporation [Member]	AndersonBrecon [Member]
					USD ($)	CAD	USD ($)
Discontinued Operation Income Loss From Discontinued Operation Disclosures Abstract	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Revenue	$0	$1,181,231,000	$1,639,684,000	'	'	'	'
Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Operating Income Loss	-7,546,000	-50,090,000	-37,534,000	'	'	'	'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Discontinued Operation Gain Loss From Disposal Of Discontinued Operation Before Income Tax	'	'	'	'	-143,700,000	'	114,100,000
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	'	'	'	'	26,900,000	'	'
proceeds from sales of business	'	'	'	'	67,900,000	'	306,500,000
Discontinued Operations Note Due from Buyer	'	'	'	50,000,000	'	50,000,000	'
Discontinued Operations Annual Interest Rate on Note Due from Buyer	'	'	'	'	'	3.00%	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Reclassification Adjustment Realized Upon Sale or Liquidation, Net of Tax	'	$9,300,000	'	'	'	'	'

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
incomelossfromcontinuingoperationsbeforeincometaxesdomestic	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$591,909,000	$793,137,000	$1,193,047,000
incomelossfromcontinuingoperationsbeforeincometaxesforeign	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	81,519,000	31,321,000	23,826,000
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	188,278,000	58,332,000	285,437,000	141,381,000	96,725,000	115,931,000	330,864,000	280,938,000	673,428,000	824,458,000	1,216,873,000
Current Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations Abstract	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Current Federal Tax Expense Benefit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	297,052,000	259,457,000	356,843,000
Current State And Local Tax Expense Benefit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	37,301,000	37,602,000	32,438,000
Current Foreign Tax Expense Benefit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	15,733,000	8,391,000	4,953,000
Current Income Tax Expense Benefit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	350,086,000	305,450,000	394,234,000
Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations Abstract	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense Benefit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	16,576,000	29,189,000	47,348,000
Deferred State And Local Income Tax Expense Benefit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	22,842,000	-3,375,000	11,959,000
Deferred Foreign Income Tax Expense Benefit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-106,000	-241,000	1,971,000
Provision for deferred income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	39,312,000	25,573,000	61,278,000
Income taxes	120,476,000	71,112,000	105,360,000	92,450,000	46,164,000	51,821,000	126,721,000	106,317,000	389,398,000	331,023,000	455,512,000
Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations Tax Rate Reconciliation Abstract	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation State And Local Income Taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5.80%	3.00%	2.30%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1.90%	-0.30%	-0.10%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Nondeductible Expense Other	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	18.40%	2.30%	0.00%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Other Adjustments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0.50%	0.20%	0.20%
Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	57.80%	40.20%	37.40%
Full Value of Warrants	1,139,800,000	'	'	'	'	'	242,400,000	'	1,139,800,000	'	'
Components Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities Abstract	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
deferred tax liabilities deferred expense capitalized inventory costs	1,146,695,000	'	'	'	1,016,522,000	'	'	'	1,146,695,000	1,016,522,000	'
Deferred Tax Liabilities Property Plant And Equipment	111,525,000	'	'	'	128,289,000	'	'	'	111,525,000	128,289,000	'
Deferred Tax Liabilities Goodwill And Intangible Assets	273,147,000	'	'	'	260,357,000	'	'	'	273,147,000	260,357,000	'
Deferred Tax Liabilities Other	988,000	'	'	'	1,322,000	'	'	'	988,000	1,322,000	'
Deferred Tax Liabilities	1,532,355,000	'	'	'	1,406,490,000	'	'	'	1,532,355,000	1,406,490,000	'
deferred tax assets operating loss carryforwards	-59,404,000	'	'	'	-61,726,000	'	'	'	-59,404,000	-61,726,000	'
Deferred Tax Assets Capital Loss Carryforwards	-61,886,000	'	'	'	-297,806,000	'	'	'	-61,886,000	-297,806,000	'
Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Reserves And Accruals Allowance For Doubtful Accounts	-33,915,000	'	'	'	-30,073,000	'	'	'	-33,915,000	-30,073,000	'
Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Reserves And Accruals Accrued Liabilities	-23,857,000	'	'	'	-16,731,000	'	'	'	-23,857,000	-16,731,000	'
Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Compensation And Benefits Other	-6,534,000	'	'	'	-4,884,000	'	'	'	-6,534,000	-4,884,000	'
Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Compensation And Benefits Share Based Compensation Cost	-35,845,000	'	'	'	-29,356,000	'	'	'	-35,845,000	-29,356,000	'
Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Deferred Expense Reserves and Accruals Other	-25,426,000	'	'	'	-8,897,000	'	'	'	-25,426,000	-8,897,000	'
Deferred Tax Assets Other	-54,213,000	'	'	'	-57,640,000	'	'	'	-54,213,000	-57,640,000	'
Deferred Tax Assets Gross	-301,080,000	'	'	'	-507,113,000	'	'	'	-301,080,000	-507,113,000	'
Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance	105,393,000	'	'	'	327,546,000	'	'	'	105,393,000	327,546,000	'
Deferred Tax Assets Net	195,687,000	'	'	'	179,567,000	'	'	'	195,687,000	179,567,000	'
Deferred Tax Assets Liabilities Net	1,336,668,000	'	'	'	1,226,923,000	'	'	'	1,336,668,000	1,226,923,000	'
Potentaial Tax Benefits From Federal Net Operating Loss Carryforwards	7,600,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	7,600,000	'	'
Potential Tax Benefits From State Net Operating Loss Carryforwards	69,700,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	69,700,000	'	'
Potential Tax Benefits From Foreign Net Operating Loss Carryforwards	6,400,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,400,000	'	'
Potential Tax Benefits That Would Be Recorded As Paid In Capital	13,200,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	13,200,000	'	'
Potential Tax Benefits From Capital Loss Carryforwards	61,900,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	61,900,000	'	'
Foreign Tax Credit Carryforward	5,800,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,800,000	'	'
State Tax Credit Carryforwards	1,400,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,400,000	'	'
Alternative Minimum Tax Credit Carryforwards	2,400,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,400,000	'	'
Valuation Allowance Deferred Tax Asset Change in Amount	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-222,200,000	73,400,000	'
Excess tax benefit from the exercise of stock options	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	46,341,000	41,222,000	25,703,000
Income Taxes Paid Net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	197,000,000	313,700,000	302,100,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Including Federal Benefit	50,600,000	'	'	'	55,400,000	'	'	'	50,600,000	55,400,000	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits That Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	35,800,000	'	'	'	39,100,000	'	'	'	35,800,000	39,100,000	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Income Tax Penalties And Interest Accrued	7,700,000	'	'	'	9,100,000	'	'	'	7,700,000	9,100,000	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Schedule [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Beginning of Period	'	'	'	46,267,000	'	'	'	36,990,000	46,267,000	36,990,000	35,803,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increases Resulting From Current Period Tax Positions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,127,000	5,272,000	6,094,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increases Resulting From Prior Period Tax Positions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,249,000	2,825,000	1,045,000
unrecognized tax benefits increase from acquisition	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,500,000	2,748,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Prior Period Tax Positions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-4,167,000	'	-5,177,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Settlements With Taxing Authorities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-4,788,000	-519,000	-2,286,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Reductions Resulting From Lapse Of Applicable Statute Of Limitations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1,780,000	-801,000	-1,237,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits End of Period	42,908,000	'	'	'	46,267,000	'	'	'	42,908,000	46,267,000	36,990,000
Significant Change In Unrecognized Tax Benefits Is Reasonably Possible Amount Of Unrecorded Benefit	6,900,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,900,000	'	'
undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries	$217,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$217,000,000	'	'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
goodwill	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	'	'	'	$2,944,970,000	'	'	'	$2,942,984,000	$2,944,970,000	$2,942,984,000	'
Goodwill Acquired During Period	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,665,000	3,000,000	'
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-2,133,000	-1,014,000	'
Goodwill	2,948,502,000	'	'	'	2,944,970,000	'	'	'	2,948,502,000	2,944,970,000	2,942,984,000
Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill	343,707,000	'	'	'	343,892,000	'	'	'	343,707,000	343,892,000	'
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Line Items	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization	-149,787,000	'	'	'	-124,309,000	'	'	'	-149,787,000	-124,309,000	'
intangible assets gross excluding goodwill	683,029,000	'	'	'	679,052,000	'	'	'	683,029,000	679,052,000	'
Intangible Assets Net Excluding Goodwill	533,242,000	'	'	'	554,743,000	'	'	'	533,242,000	554,743,000	'
Amortization	6,351,000	6,454,000	6,526,000	6,631,000	6,786,000	6,743,000	6,799,000	6,811,000	25,962,000	27,139,000	21,547,000
Future Amortization Expense Year One	22,400,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	22,400,000	'	'
Future Amortization Expense Year Two	21,600,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	21,600,000	'	'
Future Amortization Expense Year Three	17,800,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	17,800,000	'	'
Future Amortization Expense Year Four	15,400,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	15,400,000	'	'
Future Amortization Expense Year Five	14,800,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	14,800,000	'	'
Future Amortization Expense, after Year Five	97,500,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	97,500,000	'	'
Customer Relationships Member	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Line Items	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Gross	268,208,000	'	'	'	265,810,000	'	'	'	268,208,000	265,810,000	'
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization	-98,412,000	'	'	'	-80,767,000	'	'	'	-98,412,000	-80,767,000	'
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Net	169,796,000	'	'	'	185,043,000	'	'	'	169,796,000	185,043,000	'
Other Finite Lived Intangibles [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Line Items	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Gross	71,114,000	'	'	'	69,350,000	'	'	'	71,114,000	69,350,000	'
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization	-51,375,000	'	'	'	-43,542,000	'	'	'	-51,375,000	-43,542,000	'
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Net	19,739,000	'	'	'	25,808,000	'	'	'	19,739,000	25,808,000	'
Pharmaceutical Distribution [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
goodwill	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	'	'	'	2,400,926,000	'	'	'	2,400,926,000	2,400,926,000	2,400,926,000	'
Goodwill Acquired During Period	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	'
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	'
Goodwill	2,400,926,000	'	'	'	2,400,926,000	'	'	'	2,400,926,000	2,400,926,000	'
Other Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
goodwill	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	'	'	'	544,044,000	'	'	'	542,058,000	544,044,000	542,058,000	'
Goodwill Acquired During Period	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,665,000	3,000,000	'
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-2,133,000	-1,014,000	'
Goodwill	$547,576,000	'	'	'	$544,044,000	'	'	'	$547,576,000	$544,044,000	'

Debt_Details

Debt (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Debt Instrument Line Items	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long Term Debt	$1,995,632,000	'	'	'	$1,995,632,000	$1,396,606,000	'
Loss on early retirement of debt	0	-32,954,000	0	0	-32,954,000	0	0
longtermdebtmaturitiesrepaymentsofprincipalinyearthree	600,000,000	'	'	'	600,000,000	'	'
Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal After Year Five	1,400,000,000	'	'	'	1,400,000,000	'	'
Interest Paid	'	'	'	'	62,900,000	68,500,000	84,500,000
Debt Related Commitment Fees And Debt Issuance Costs	'	'	'	'	3,900,000	4,200,000	5,200,000
Multi Currency Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument Line Items	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long Term Debt	0	'	'	'	0	0	'
Debt Instrument Interest Rate Effective Percentage Rate Range	'	'	'	'	'69 basis points to 110 basis points over LIBOR/EURIBOR/Bankers Acceptance Stamping Fee; on borrowings denominated in Canadian dollars, the greater of the Canadian prime rate or the CDOR rate	'	'
Line of Credit Facility Commitment Fee Percentage	'	'	'	'	0.10%	'	'
Line of Credit Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity	1,400,000,000	'	'	'	1,400,000,000	'	'
Debt Instrument Facility Fee Rate Effective Percentage Rate Range Minimum	'	'	'	'	0.06%	'	'
Debt Instrument Facility Fee Rate Effective Percentage Rate Range Maximum	'	'	'	'	0.15%	'	'
Multi Currency Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | LIBOR / EURIBOR / Bankers Acceptance Stamping Fee [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument Line Items	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument Interest Rate Stated Percentage	0.90%	'	'	'	0.90%	'	'
Debt Instrument Interest Rate Effective Percentage Rate Range Minimum	'	'	'	'	0.69%	'	'
Debt Instrument Interest Rate Effective Percentage Rate Range Maximum	'	'	'	'	1.10%	'	'
Receivables Securitization Facility [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument Line Items	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long Term Debt	0	'	'	'	0	0	'
Debt Instrument Ability to Increase Commitment Subject to Lender Approval	250,000,000	'	'	'	250,000,000	'	'
Line of Credit Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity	950,000,000	'	'	'	950,000,000	'	'
Line of Credit Facility Unused Capacity Commitment Fee Percentage	'	'	'	'	0.40%	'	'
Receivables Securitization Facility [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate LIBOR [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument Line Items	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument Interest Rate Stated Percentage	0.75%	'	'	'	0.75%	'	'
Revolving Credit Note [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument Line Items	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long Term Debt	0	'	'	'	0	0	'
Line of Credit Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity	75,000,000	'	'	'	75,000,000	'	'
Senior Notes Due 2015 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument Line Items	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long Term Debt	0	'	'	'	0	499,377,000	'
Debt Instrument Face Amount	'	'	'	'	'	500,000,000	'
Loss on early retirement of debt	'	'	'	'	-31,500,000	'	'
Debt Instrument Interest Rate Stated Percentage	'	'	'	'	'	5.88%	'
Senior Notes Due 2017 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument Line Items	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long Term Debt	599,379,000	'	'	'	599,379,000	0	'
Debt Instrument Face Amount	600,000,000	'	'	'	600,000,000	'	'
Debt Instrument Issuance Discount Percentage	99.89%	'	'	'	99.89%	'	'
Debt Instrument Interest Rate Effective Percentage	1.19%	'	'	'	1.19%	'	'
Debt Instrument Interest Rate Stated Percentage	1.15%	'	'	'	1.15%	'	'
Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument Line Items	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long Term Debt	398,122,000	'	'	'	398,122,000	397,803,000	'
Debt Instrument Face Amount	400,000,000	'	'	'	400,000,000	'	'
Debt Instrument Issuance Discount Percentage	99.20%	'	'	'	99.20%	'	'
Debt Instrument Interest Rate Effective Percentage	4.98%	'	'	'	4.98%	'	'
Debt Instrument Interest Rate Stated Percentage	4.88%	'	'	'	4.88%	'	'
Senior Notes Due 2021 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument Line Items	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long Term Debt	499,497,000	'	'	'	499,497,000	499,426,000	'
Debt Instrument Face Amount	500,000,000	'	'	'	500,000,000	'	'
Debt Instrument Issuance Discount Percentage	99.86%	'	'	'	99.86%	'	'
Debt Instrument Interest Rate Effective Percentage	3.52%	'	'	'	3.52%	'	'
Debt Instrument Interest Rate Stated Percentage	3.50%	'	'	'	3.50%	'	'
Senior Notes Due 2024 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument Line Items	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long Term Debt	498,634,000	'	'	'	498,634,000	0	'
Debt Instrument Face Amount	$500,000,000	'	'	'	$500,000,000	'	'
Debt Instrument Issuance Discount Percentage	99.72%	'	'	'	99.72%	'	'
Debt Instrument Interest Rate Effective Percentage	3.43%	'	'	'	3.43%	'	'
Debt Instrument Interest Rate Stated Percentage	3.40%	'	'	'	3.40%	'	'

Stockholders_Equity_and_Earnin2

Stockholders Equity and Earnings per Share (Details) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Nov. 30, 2012

Oct. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Aug. 31, 2011

Nov. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

31-May-12

Nov. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Oct. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Aug. 31, 2013

Oct. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

31-May-14

First Group of Tranches [Member]

Second Group of Tranches [Member]

Walgreens Warrant 1 [Member]

Walgreens Warrant 2 [Member]

Alliance Boots Warrant 1 [Member]

Alliance Boots Warrant 2 [Member]

August 2011 Share Repurchase Program [Member]

August 2011 Share Repurchase Program [Member]

August 2011 Share Repurchase Program [Member]

May 2012 Share Repurchase Program [Member]

May 2012 Share Repurchase Program [Member]

May 2012 Share Repurchase Program [Member]

May 2012 Share Repurchase Program [Member]

November 2012 Share Repurchase Program [Member]

November 2012 Share Repurchase Program [Member]

November 2012 Share Repurchase Program [Member]

August 2013 Share Repurchase Program [Member]

August 2013 Share Repurchase Program [Member]

August 2013 Share Repurchase Program [Member]

May 2014 Share Repurchase Program [Member]

May 2014 Share Repurchase Program [Member]

May 2014 Share Repurchase Program [Member]

Stockholders Equity and Earnings Per Share Details [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock, shares authorized

'

'

'

'

600,000,000

600,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock, par value

'

'

'

'

$0.01

$0.01

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Preferred Stock Shares Authorized

'

'

'

'

10,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Preferred Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share

'

'

'

'

$0.01

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Defined Benefit Pension And Other Postretirement Plans Net Of Tax

'

'

'

'

($32,212,000)

($34,612,000)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax

'

'

'

'

-19,388,000

-844,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Other Net of Tax

'

'

'

'

-446,000

-27,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

'

'

'

'

-52,046,000

-35,483,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Treasury Stock Program [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

750,000,000

'

'

'

750,000,000

750,000,000

'

'

'

'

750,000,000

'

'

650,000,000

Treasury Stock Acquired Shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

13,400,000

6,600,000

'

'

600,000

200,000

'

'

5,500,000

3,600,000

'

2,400,000

'

'

3,400,000

'

Purchases of common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

500,000,000

250,000,000

'

'

25,700,000

5,900,000

'

'

363,000,000

199,400,000

'

174,700,000

'

'

252,000,000

'

Treasury Stock Purchase Program Availability

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

575,300,000

'

'

398,000,000

'

Accelerated Share Repurchase Program Authorized Amount

'

250,000,000

'

650,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accelerated Stock Repurchase Program Initial Delivery of Shares

'

6,200,000

'

16,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,700,000

'

'

'

4,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accelerated Share Repurchase Program Initial Funding Allocated to Share Purchases

'

248,500,000

'

647,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

71,200,000

'

'

'

187,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accelerated Share Repurchase Program Initial Funding Allocated to Prepaid Dividends

'

1,300,000

'

2,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accelerated Share Repurchase Program Initial Funding Allocated to Fees

'

200,000

'

800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accelerated Share Repurchase Program Incremental Shares Received Upon Settlement

'

'

100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Settlement of accelerated stock repurchase agreement

10,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Treasury Stock Value Acquired Cost Method Settlements

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

18,000,000

'

'

18,000,000

'

'

Basic

'

'

'

'

227,367,000

231,067,000

252,906,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Share Based Payment Arrangements

'

'

'

'

4,787,000

4,278,000

3,997,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Call Options and Warrants

'

'

'

'

3,251,000

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Diluted

'

'

'

'

235,405,000

235,345,000

256,903,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount

'

'

'

'

2,000,000

0

2,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Class of Warrant or Right, Date from which Warrants or Rights are Exercisable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1-Mar-16

1-Mar-17

1-Mar-16

1-Mar-17

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11,348,456

11,348,456

11,348,456

11,348,456

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$51.50

$52.50

$51.50

$52.50

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares to Which Framework Agreement Allows Open Market Purchases

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

19,859,795

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of Common Stock Purchases in Open Market Granted under Framework Agreement

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value per Share of First Tranche of Warrants

'

'

'

'

$25.20

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value per Share of Second Tranche of Warrants

'

'

'

'

$25.02

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Full Value of Warrants

'

'

'

'

1,139,800,000

'

'

242,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Forward Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$51.50

$52.50

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative, Cost of Hedge

'

'

'

'

$205,300,000

$163,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of Warrant Dilution Intended to be Hedged with Contract

'

'

'

'

60.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares Covered Under Derivative Purchases

'

'

'

'

11,900,000

15,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Pension_and_Other_Benefit_Plan2

Pension and Other Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Pension and Other Benefit Plans Details [Abstract]	'	'	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Expense	$27,900,000	$22,100,000	$20,300,000
Defined Benefit Plan Settlements and Curtailments Abstract	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Number of Plan Participants	3,200	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Number of Active Employees	500	'	'
Retirement Benefit Plans Net Actuarial Loss Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Gross	55,500,000	'	'
Retirement Benefit Plans Net Actuarial Loss Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Net of Tax	32,200,000	'	'
Retirement Benefit Plans Net Actuarial Loss Expected Amortization Gross	4,100,000	'	'
Retirement Benefit Plans Expected Net Actuarial Loss Amortization Net of Tax	2,400,000	'	'
Defined Contribution Pension And Other Postretirement Plans Disclosure Abstract	'	'	'
Defined Contribution Plan Cost Recognized	22,500,000	17,400,000	16,400,000
Deferred Compensation Arrangements Abstract	'	'	'
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Shares Authorized for Issuance	2.96	'	'
Deferred Compensation Arrangement With Individual Recorded Liability	16,200,000	13,300,000	'
equity securities	'	'	'
defined benefit plan	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Weighted Average Asset Allocations	0.00%	42.00%	'
Defined Benefit Plan Assets Target Allocations Abstract	'	'	'
Definited Benefit Plan Target Plan Asset Allocations	0.00%	41.00%	'
debt securities	'	'	'
defined benefit plan	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Weighted Average Asset Allocations	99.00%	57.00%	'
Defined Benefit Plan Assets Target Allocations Abstract	'	'	'
Definited Benefit Plan Target Plan Asset Allocations	99.00%	58.00%	'
cash and cash equivalents	'	'	'
defined benefit plan	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Weighted Average Asset Allocations	1.00%	1.00%	'
Defined Benefit Plan Assets Target Allocations Abstract	'	'	'
Definited Benefit Plan Target Plan Asset Allocations	1.00%	1.00%	'
Pension Plans Defined Benefit Member	'	'	'
Change in Benefit Obligation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	149,404,000	166,244,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan Interest Cost	6,758,000	6,104,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan Actuarial Net Gains Losses	13,329,000	-15,560,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan Benefits Paid	7,803,000	7,384,000	'
Benefit obligation at end of year	161,688,000	149,404,000	166,244,000
Change in Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	159,966,000	158,391,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan Actual Return On Plan Assets	22,000,000	8,005,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan Contributions By Employer	2,475,000	2,173,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan Administration Expenses	1,202,000	1,219,000	'
Benefit Plan Asset Rollforward Benefits Paid	-7,803,000	-7,384,000	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	175,436,000	159,966,000	158,391,000
Defined Benefit Plan Funded Status Of Plan Abstract	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Funded Status Of Plan	13,748,000	10,562,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan Amounts Recognized In Balance Sheet	13,748,000	10,562,000	'
defined benefit plan assets for plan benefits noncurrent	18,639,000	16,563,000	'
Pension And Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans Current Liabilities	1,771,000	2,826,000	'
Pension And Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans Liabilities Noncurrent	3,120,000	3,175,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan Weighted Average Assumptions Used In Calculating Benefit Obligation Abstract	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation Discount Rate	4.08%	4.65%	'
Defined Benefit Plan Rate of Increase in Compensation Levels String	'N/A	'N/A	'
Defined Benefit Plan Net Periodic Benefit Cost Abstract	'	'	'
Net Periodic Benefit Interest Cost	6,758,000	6,104,000	6,560,000
Defined Benefit Plan Expected Return On Plan Assets	8,086,000	9,955,000	10,475,000
Defined Benefit Plan Amortization Of Gains Losses	4,092,000	5,963,000	4,758,000
Defined Benefit Plan Recognized Net Gain Loss Due To Settlements And Curtailments	1,261,000	985,000	1,518,000
Defined Benefit Plan Net Periodic Benefit Cost	4,025,000	3,097,000	2,361,000
Net Pension Cost of Multi Employer Plans	0	156,000	294,000
Total Pension Expense	4,025,000	3,253,000	2,655,000
Defined Benefit Plan Weighted Average Assumptions Used In Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost Abstract	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost Discount Rate	4.65%	3.70%	4.60%
Net Periodic Benefit Cost Compensation Increase Level String	'N/A	'N/A	'N/A
Defined Benefit Plan Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost Expected Long Term Return On Assets	5.30%	6.75%	8.00%
defined benefit plan	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Weighted Average Asset Allocations	100.00%	100.00%	'
Defined Benefit Plan Assets Target Allocations Abstract	'	'	'
Definited Benefit Plan Target Plan Asset Allocations	100.00%	100.00%	'
Pension Plan Assets Money Market Funds	1,700,000	1,500,000	'
Pension Plan Assets Commingled Equity Funds	'	66,800,000	'
Pension Plan Assets Commingled Fixed Income Funds	173,700,000	91,700,000	'
Pension Plan Voluntary Contribution	0	15,000,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan Estimated Future Benefit Payments Abstract	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Expected Future Benefit Payments In Year One	8,406,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Expected Future Benefit Payments In Year Two	7,757,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Expected Future Benefit Payments In Year Three	7,459,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Expected Future Benefit Payments In Year Four	7,641,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Expected Future Benefit Payments In Year Five	7,880,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Expected Future Benefit Payments In Five Fiscal Years Thereafter	44,209,000	'	'
Pension Plan Contribution Ten Year Total	83,352,000	'	'
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Defined Benefit Member	'	'	'
Change in Benefit Obligation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	9,454,000	10,810,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan Interest Cost	423,000	383,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan Actuarial Net Gains Losses	523,000	-539,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan Benefits Paid	881,000	1,200,000	'
Benefit obligation at end of year	9,519,000	9,454,000	10,810,000
Change in Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Contributions By Employer	881,000	1,200,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan Funded Status Of Plan Abstract	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Funded Status Of Plan	-9,519,000	-9,454,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan Amounts Recognized In Balance Sheet	-9,519,000	-9,454,000	'
Pension And Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans Current Liabilities	714,000	729,000	'
Pension And Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans Liabilities Noncurrent	8,805,000	8,725,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan Weighted Average Assumptions Used In Calculating Benefit Obligation Abstract	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation Discount Rate	4.08%	4.65%	'
Defined Benefit Plan Health Care Cost Trend Rate Assumed For Next Fiscal Year	7.27%	7.54%	'
Defined Benefit Plan Ultimate Health Care Cost Trend Rate	4.50%	4.50%	'
Defined Benefit Plan Year That Rate Reaches Ultimate Trend Rate	'2024	'2023	'
Defined Benefit Plan Net Periodic Benefit Cost Abstract	'	'	'
Net Periodic Benefit Interest Cost	424,000	383,000	501,000
Defined Benefit Plan Amortization Of Gains Losses	-453,000	-669,000	-958,000
Total Pension Expense	-29,000	-286,000	-457,000
Defined Benefit Plan Estimated Future Benefit Payments Abstract	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Expected Future Benefit Payments In Year One	751,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Expected Future Benefit Payments In Year Two	723,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Expected Future Benefit Payments In Year Three	696,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Expected Future Benefit Payments In Year Four	644,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Expected Future Benefit Payments In Year Five	639,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Expected Future Benefit Payments In Five Fiscal Years Thereafter	3,162,000	'	'
Pension Plan Contribution Ten Year Total	6,615,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Effect Of One Percentage Point Change In Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates Abstract	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Effect Of One Percentage Point Increase On Service And Interest Cost Components	46,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Effect Of One Percentage Point Decrease On Service And Interest Cost Components	39,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Effect Of One Percentage Point Increase On Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation	1,024,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Effect Of One Percentage Point Decrease On Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation	$874,000	'	'
Beginning of Year Net Periodic Benefit Cost Assumptions [Abstract]	'	'	'
Beginning of Year Discount Rate	4.65%	3.70%	4.60%
Beginning of Year Estimate of Subsequent Year Health Care Trend Rate	7.54%	7.82%	8.10%
Beginning of Year Estimate of Ultimate Health Care Trend Rate	4.50%	4.50%	4.50%
Beginning of Year Estimate of Year Rate Reaches Ultimate Trend Rate	'2024	'2023	'2022

ShareBased_Compensation_Detail

Share-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Share Based Compensation Details [Abstract]	'	'	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Number of Shares Available for Grant Under AmerisourceBergen Equity Incentive Plan	27,900,000	'	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Grants In Period Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$11.22	$6.54	$6.36
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Risk Free Interest Rate	0.89%	0.44%	0.59%
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Expected Dividend Rate	1.37%	1.29%	1.39%
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Expected Volatility Rate	23.91%	24.22%	25.63%
Option Award Fair Value Assumptions Expected Term	'3.69 years	'3.69 years	'3.69 years
Stock or Unit Option Plan Expense	$21,500,000	$20,200,000	$15,400,000
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Number	13,120,000	14,119,000	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Grants In Period	2,332,000	'	'
Stock Option Exercises	-3,059,000	'	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Forfeitures And Expirations In Period	-272,000	'	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Exercisable Number	6,319,000	'	'
Options Expected to Vest	6,303,000	'	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Price	$40	$33	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Grants In Period Weighted Average Exercise Price	$68	'	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Exercises In Period Weighted Average Exercise Price	$27	'	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Forfeitures And Expirations In Period Weighted Average Exercise Price	$46	'	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price	$30	'	'
Options Expected to Vest Weighted Average Exercise Price	$49	'	'
Weighted Average Contractual Term Options Outstanding	'4 years	'4 years	'
Weighted Average Contractual Term Options Exercisable	'3 years	'	'
Weighted Average Contractual Term Options Expected to Vest	'5 years	'	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Intrinsic Value	488,591,000	'	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Exercisable Intrinsic Value Old	296,386,000	'	'
Options Expected to Vest Intrinsic Value	178,113,000	'	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Exercises In Period Total Intrinsic Value	132,400,000	131,800,000	82,100,000
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Nonvested Number of Shares	6,801,000	7,667,000	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Vested Number of Shares	-2,936,000	'	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Forfeitures In Period	-262,000	'	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Nonvested Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$8	$7	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Vested Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$7	'	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Nonvested Options Forfeited Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$8	'	'
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Nonvested Awards Total Compensation Cost Not Yet Recognized Stock Options	37,600,000	'	'
Weighted Average Period of Unrecognized Option Compensation	'2.2 years	'	'
Restricted Stock Expense	14,700,000	12,100,000	9,000,000
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Nonvested Number	950,000	1,123,000	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Grants In Period	237,000	'	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Vested In Period	-289,000	'	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Forfeited In Period	-121,000	'	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Nonvested Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$48	$39	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Grants In Period Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$69	'	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Vested In Period Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$36	'	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Forfeited In Period Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$39	'	'
Restricted Stock Compensation Not Yet Recognized	19,000,000	'	'
Weighted Average Period of Unrecognized Restricted Stock Compensation	'1.1 years	'	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Target Performance Shares Nonvested Number	220,000	210,000	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Target Performance Shares Granted in Period	95,000	'	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Target Performance Shares Vested in Period	-85,000	'	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Target Performance Shares Outstanding Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$52	$39	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Target Performance Shares Granted Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$68	'	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Target Performance Shares Vested Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$37	'	'
Performance share expense	6,800,000	3,700,000	1,500,000
ESPP Shares Authorized	4,000,000	'	'
ESPP Shares Acquired	68,700	93,813	113,692
ESPP Withholdings	1,200,000	'	'
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Vested in Period Fair Value1	19,100,000	17,400,000	17,200,000
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Vested In Period Total Fair Value	$10,500,000	$9,700,000	$6,100,000

Leases_and_Other_Commitments_D

Leases and Other Commitments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due	$338.30	'	'	'
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due Current	58.2	'	'	'
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Two Years	54.4	'	'	'
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Three Years	44.7	'	'	'
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Four Years	41.2	'	'	'
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Five Years	34.2	'	'	'
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due Thereafter	105.6	'	'	'
Lease And Rental Expense	81.8	79.6	65.3	'
Remaining Purchase Commitment Estimate for Flu Vaccine	72.9	'	'	57.2
Remaining Purchase Commitment Estimate for IBM Global Services	74.1	'	'	'
Remaining Purchase Commitment for IBM Global Services Current	'	'	'	$37.10

Employee_Severance_Litigation_2

Employee Severance, Litigation, and Other (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Restructuring Charges Abstract	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other Restructuring Costs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$1,913,000	$491,000	$33,040,000
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,279,000	22,976,000	11,100,000
Employee severance, litigation and other	781,000	1,142,000	1,967,000	4,302,000	2,084,000	19,678,000	-299,000	2,004,000	8,192,000	23,467,000	44,140,000
Employees Terminated Under Restructuring Activities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'314	'
Pension Expense Included Within Restructuring Charges	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$10,300,000	'	'

Litigation_Settlements_Details

Litigation Settlements (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended							12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Gain (Loss) Related to Litigation Settlement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) Related to Litigation Settlement	$2,500	$800	$21,000	$1,100	$6,000	$3,500	$12,300	$24,436	$22,883	$14,813

Business_Segment_Information_D

Business Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Distribution of Pharmaceuticals as Historic Percentage of Total Revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	95.00%	'	'
segment reporting information	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue	$31,588,708	$30,348,154	$28,455,903	$29,176,362	$24,469,040	$21,906,648	$20,523,668	$21,059,811	$119,569,127	$87,959,167	$78,080,806
Operating income	207,263	110,877	301,128	159,616	114,190	134,646	350,123	299,440	778,884	898,399	1,303,615
Gain (Loss) Related to Litigation Settlement	'	2,500	800	21,000	1,100	6,000	3,500	12,300	24,436	22,883	14,813
Inventory, LIFO Reserve, Period Charge	54,400	133,200	102,800	57,600	154,000	122,100	-200	1,100	348,063	277,001	706
Acquisition related intangibles amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-23,167	-24,387	-18,454
Warrants	155,739	145,040	5,663	116,297	50,479	35,815	3,761	0	422,739	90,055	0
Employee severance, litigation and other	781	1,142	1,967	4,302	2,084	19,678	-299	2,004	8,192	23,467	44,140
Other loss	-1,332	1,312	3,783	597	1,207	-525	-749	23	4,360	-44	5,827
Interest expense, net	-17,653	-20,903	-19,474	-18,832	-18,672	-18,190	-18,510	-18,525	-76,862	-73,897	-92,569
Loss on early retirement of debt	0	-32,954	0	0	'	'	'	'	-32,954	0	0
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	188,278	58,332	285,437	141,381	96,725	115,931	330,864	280,938	673,428	824,458	1,216,873
Assets	21,532,183	'	'	'	18,918,638	'	'	'	21,532,183	18,918,638	'
depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	185,290	162,186	134,375
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	264,457	202,450	133,292
Pharmaceutical Distribution [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
segment reporting information	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	117,383,967	86,063,531	76,689,550
Operating income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,405,992	1,162,352	1,254,386
Assets	20,009,181	'	'	'	17,486,861	'	'	'	20,009,181	17,486,861	'
depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	131,782	109,401	91,915
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	222,985	170,989	85,600
Other Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
segment reporting information	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,449,149	2,087,968	1,575,738
Operating income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	150,617	128,074	97,716
Assets	1,523,002	'	'	'	1,431,777	'	'	'	1,523,002	1,431,777	'
depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	30,340	28,398	24,006
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	41,472	31,461	47,692
Operating Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
segment reporting information	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Operating income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,556,609	1,290,426	1,352,102
Intersegment Elimination [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
segment reporting information	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-263,989	-192,332	-184,482
Acquisition related intangibles amortization [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
segment reporting information	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$23,167	$24,387	$18,454

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'
Other Assets Fair Value Disclosure	$400,000,000	$0
Long Term Debt	1,995,632,000	1,396,606,000
Debt Instrument Fair Value	$2,056,600,000	$1,502,000,000

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio2

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information Unaudited Details [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue	$31,588,708	$30,348,154	$28,455,903	$29,176,362	$24,469,040	$21,906,648	$20,523,668	$21,059,811	$119,569,127	$87,959,167	$78,080,806
Cost of goods sold	30,716,164	29,656,150	27,726,310	28,488,137	23,901,488	21,344,198	19,806,679	20,398,983	116,586,761	85,451,348	75,446,120
Gross profit	872,544	692,004	729,593	688,225	567,552	562,450	716,989	660,828	2,982,366	2,507,819	2,634,686
Distribution, selling and administrative	459,249	387,611	376,341	364,060	358,303	331,173	323,536	320,700	1,587,261	1,333,712	1,152,556
Depreciation	43,161	40,880	37,968	37,319	35,710	34,395	33,069	31,873	159,328	135,047	112,828
Amortization	6,351	6,454	6,526	6,631	6,786	6,743	6,799	6,811	25,962	27,139	21,547
Distribution, selling and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization	508,761	434,945	420,835	408,010	400,799	372,311	363,404	359,384	1,772,551	1,495,898	'
Warrants	155,739	145,040	5,663	116,297	50,479	35,815	3,761	0	422,739	90,055	0
Employee severance, litigation and other	781	1,142	1,967	4,302	2,084	19,678	-299	2,004	8,192	23,467	44,140
Operating income	207,263	110,877	301,128	159,616	114,190	134,646	350,123	299,440	778,884	898,399	1,303,615
Other (income) loss	1,332	-1,312	-3,783	-597	-1,207	525	749	-23	-4,360	44	-5,827
Interest expense, net	17,653	20,903	19,474	18,832	18,672	18,190	18,510	18,525	76,862	73,897	92,569
Loss on early retirement of debt	0	32,954	0	0	'	'	'	'	32,954	0	0
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	188,278	58,332	285,437	141,381	96,725	115,931	330,864	280,938	673,428	824,458	1,216,873
Income taxes	120,476	71,112	105,360	92,450	46,164	51,821	126,721	106,317	389,398	331,023	455,512
Income from continuing operations	67,802	-12,780	180,077	48,931	50,561	64,110	204,143	174,621	284,030	493,435	761,361
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of income tax expense of $-, $9,638, and $4,841 for fiscal 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively	0	0	0	-7,546	462	104,329	-158,509	-6,010	-7,546	-59,728	-42,375
Net income	67,802	-12,780	180,077	41,385	51,023	168,439	45,634	168,611	276,484	433,707	718,986
Earnings Per Share From Continuing Operations [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Continuing operations basic	$0.30	($0.06)	$0.78	$0.21	$0.22	$0.28	$0.89	$0.75	$1.25	$2.14	$3.01
Continuing operations	$0.29	($0.06)	$0.76	$0.21	$0.22	$0.27	$0.87	$0.74	$1.21	$2.10	$2.96
Earnings Per Share From Net Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Earnings per Share Basic	$0.30	($0.06)	$0.78	$0.18	$0.22	$0.73	$0.20	$0.73	$1.22	$1.88	$2.84
Earnings Per Share Diluted	$0.29	($0.06)	$0.76	$0.17	$0.22	$0.71	$0.19	$0.71	$1.17	$1.84	$2.80
Gain (Loss) Related to Litigation Settlement	'	2,500	800	21,000	1,100	6,000	3,500	12,300	24,436	22,883	14,813
Inventory, LIFO Reserve, Period Charge	$54,400	$133,200	$102,800	$57,600	$154,000	$122,100	($200)	$1,100	$348,063	$277,001	$706

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Dividend Increase Percentage	23.00%	'	'	'
Common Stock Dividends Per Share Cash Paid	$0.29	$0.94	$0.84	$0.52

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual2

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]	'	'	'
Balance of Allowance at Beginning of Period	$82,380	$85,741	$88,833
Valuation Allowances And Reserves Charged To Cost And Expense	26,634	20,118	23,058
Valuation Allowances And Reserves Charged To Other Accounts	0	0	0
Valuation Allowances And Reserves Deductions	-19,567	-23,479	-26,150
Balance of Allowance at End of Period	$89,447	$82,380	$85,741