Cencora (COR) 10-Q 4 Feb 16 2016 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2016
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	AMERISOURCEBERGEN CORP
Entity Central Index Key	1,140,859
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2015
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		205,462,465
Trading Symbol	abc

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 978,090	$ 2,167,442
Accounts receivable, less allowances for returns and doubtful accounts: $879,333 at December 31, 2015 and $899,764 at September 30, 2015	8,380,652	8,222,951
Merchandise inventories	10,863,974	9,755,094
Prepaid expenses and other	138,959	189,001
Total current assets	20,361,675	20,334,488
Property and equipment, at cost:
Land	40,339	39,499
Buildings and improvements	463,073	413,854
Machinery, equipment and other	1,539,928	1,449,545
Total property and equipment	2,043,340	1,902,898
Less accumulated depreciation	(983,839)	(923,647)
Property and equipment, net	1,059,501	979,251
Goodwill and other intangible assets	9,052,837	6,123,944
Other assets	281,789	298,474
TOTAL ASSETS	30,755,802	27,736,157
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	22,536,323	20,886,439
Accrued expenses and other	592,553	679,309
Short-term debt	108,412	0
Deferred income taxes	787,053	1,135,017
Total current liabilities	24,024,341	22,700,765
Long Term Debt	4,393,317	3,493,048
Deferred income taxes	932,299	819,188
Other liabilities	105,826	89,636
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value - authorized: 600,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding: 275,880,785 shares and 206,315,699 shares at December 31, 2015, respectively, and 274,991,824 shares and 206,891,873 shares at September 30, 2015, respectively	2,759	2,750
Additional paid-in capital	4,260,078	3,736,477
Retained earnings	1,440,801	1,181,623
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(115,814)	(136,333)
Treasury stock, at cost: 69,565,086 shares at December 31, 2015 and 68,099,951 shares at September 30, 2015	(4,287,805)	(4,150,997)
Total stockholders' equity	1,300,019	633,520
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	$ 30,755,802	$ 27,736,157

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015
Current assets:
Allowances for returns and doubtful accounts	$ 879,333	$ 899,764
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	600,000,000	600,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	275,880,785	274,991,824
Common stock, shares outstanding	206,315,699	206,891,873
Treasury stock, shares held	69,565,086	68,099,951

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPER

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Revenue	$ 36,709,046	$ 33,588,602
Cost of goods sold	35,744,169	32,836,303
Gross profit	964,877	752,299
Operating expenses:
Distribution, selling, and administrative	528,296	416,491
Depreciation	49,342	43,773
Amortization	32,096	5,524
Warrants	467,375	371,405
Employee severance, litigation and other	18,868	3,503
Pension settlement charge	48,731	0
Operating loss	(179,831)	(88,397)
Other (income) loss	(310)	1,314
Interest expense, net	30,879	17,342
Loss from operations before income taxes	(210,400)	(107,053)
Income tax (benefit) expense	(540,777)	92,894
Net income (loss)	$ 330,377	$ (199,947)
Basic earnings per share:
Basic	$ 1.60	$ (0.91)
Diluted	$ 1.46	$ (0.91)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	206,180	219,456
Diluted	226,718	219,456
Cash dividends declared per share of common stock	$ 0.34	$ 0.29

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net income (loss)	$ 330,377	$ (199,947)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net change in foreign currency translation adjustments	(10,434)	(8,730)
Pension plan adjustments, net of tax of $19,054 and $0, respectively	31,538	0
Other	(585)	49
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	20,519	(8,681)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$ 350,896	$ (208,628)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COM6

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Pension plan adjustments, tax	$ 19,054	$ 0

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss)	$ 330,377	$ (199,947)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, including amounts charged to cost of goods sold	53,668	44,518
Amortization, including amounts charged to interest expense	33,801	6,652
Provision (benefit) for doubtful accounts	4,080	(1,379)
Benefit for deferred income taxes	(610,771)	(18,058)
Warrant expense	467,375	371,405
Share-based compensation	22,255	19,567
Pension settlement charge	48,731	0
Other	(7,982)	(1,951)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, excluding the effects of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(76,261)	(766,718)
Merchandise inventories	(1,086,296)	(2,096,578)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	31,966	10,992
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and income taxes	1,522,332	3,529,971
Other liabilities	17,573	(1,510)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES	750,848	896,964
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures	(90,110)	(52,557)
Cost of acquired companies, net of cash acquired	(2,726,632)	(24,604)
Proceeds from sale of investment securities available-for-sale	88,829	0
Purchases of investment securities available-for-sale	(41,136)	0
Other	(3,438)	5
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES	(2,772,487)	(77,156)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Long- term debt borrowings	1,000,000	0
Borrowings under revolving and securitization credit facilities	1,755,310	0
Repayments under revolving and securitization credit facilities	(1,746,766)	0
Purchases of common stock	(118,575)	(300,213)
Exercises of stock options, including excess tax benefits of $17,436 and $17,332 in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively	33,980	40,164
Cash dividends on common stock	(71,199)	(64,025)
Debt issuance costs and other	(20,463)	(5,491)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES	832,287	(329,565)
(DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(1,189,352)	490,243
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	2,167,442	1,808,513
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	$ 978,090	$ 2,298,756

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CAS8

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Excess tax benefit from the exercise of stock options	$ 17,436	$ 17,332

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation The accompanying financial statements present the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows of AmerisourceBergen Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of the dates and for the periods indicated. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information, the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals, except as otherwise disclosed herein) considered necessary to present fairly the financial position as of December 31, 2015 and the results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 have been included. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, but which are not required for interim reporting purposes, have been omitted. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP 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. 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 was originally scheduled to be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those reporting periods. In July 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year. Entities are permitted to adopt the standard as early as the original public entity effective date, and either full or modified retrospective application is required. The Company has not yet selected a transition method and is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this new accounting guidance. In November 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-17, “Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes (“ASU 2015-17”).” ASU 2015-17 is the result of the FASB’s simplification initiative intended to improve U.S. GAAP by reducing costs and complexity while maintaining or enhancing the usefulness of related financial statement information. ASU 2015-17 requires that all deferred tax assets and liabilities, along with any related valuation allowance, be classified as noncurrent on the balance sheet. The guidance does not change the existing requirement that prohibits companies from offsetting deferred tax liabilities from one jurisdiction against deferred assets of another jurisdiction. ASU 2015-17 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. ASU 2015-17 will have no effect on the Company’s results of operations or liquidity. As of December 31, 2015, there were no other recently issued accounting standards that will have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations upon their adoption.

Acquisition

Acquisition	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 2. Acquisition On November 6, 2015, the Company acquired PharMEDium Healthcare Holdings, Inc. (“PharMEDium”) for $2.7 billion in cash, which included certain purchase price adjustments. PharMEDium is a leading national provider of outsourced compounded sterile preparations (“CSPs”) to acute care hospitals in the United States. PharMEDium is a component of AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation (“ABDC”) within the Pharmaceutical Distribution reportable segment. The purchase price has been preliminarily allocated to the underlying assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their estimated fair values at the date of the acquisition. The preliminary allocation is pending the finalization of the appraisals of intangible assets and the corresponding deferred taxes, as well as the finalization of working capital account balances. There can be no assurance that the estimated amounts recorded will represent the final purchase price allocation. The purchase price currently exceeds the estimated fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired by $1.8 billion, which was allocated to goodwill. The estimated fair value of accounts receivable, inventory, and accounts payable acquired was $63.2 million, $43.1 million and $22.8 million, respectively. The estimated fair value of the intangible assets acquired of $1.1 billion consists of customer relationships of $883.4 million, trade name of $167.6 million, and software technology of $52.6 million. The Company established an estimated deferred tax liability of $424.5 million primarily in connection with the intangible assets acquired. The Company is amortizing the estimated fair values of the acquired customer relationships and trade name over their estimated useful lives of 15 years. The estimated fair value of the acquired software technology is being amortized over its estimated useful life of 10 years. Goodwill and intangible assets resulting from the acquisition are not expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income Taxes [Text Block]	Note 3. Income Taxes The Company files income tax returns in U.S. federal and state jurisdictions as well as various foreign jurisdictions. As of December 31, 2015, 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 $51.9 million ($36.6 million, net of federal benefit). If recognized, these tax benefits would reduce income tax expense and the effective tax rate. Included in this amount is $7.9 million of interest and penalties, which the Company records in income tax expense. During the three months ended December 31, 2015, unrecognized tax benefits decreased by $0.9 million. 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 $7.5 million. In March 2013, the Company issued Warrants (as defined in Note 6) in connection with various agreements and arrangements with Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (“WBA”), as successor in interest to Walgreen Co. (“Walgreens”) and Alliance Boots GmbH (“Alliance Boots”). At that time, the Company determined that the Warrants had a fair value of $242.4 million on the date of issuance, which approximated the tax deductible amount that would be deducted ratably on the Company’s income tax return over the 10-year term of the various agreements, and that any value in excess of the initial fair value of the Warrants on the date of issuance would not be tax deductible. In November 2015, the Company received a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, which entitles it to an income tax deduction equal to the fair value of the Warrants on the date of exercise. As a result, the Company recorded a deferred tax asset and recognized a tax benefit adjustment of approximately $456 million, which represented the estimated tax deduction for the increase in the fair value of the Warrants from the issuance date through September 30, 2015. This tax benefit adjustment had a significant impact to the Company’s effective tax rate in the quarter ended December 31, 2015. An additional tax benefit of approximately $173 million was recognized primarily related to the change in the fair value of the Warrants during the three months ended December 31, 2015.

Goodwill and Other Intangible A

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Text Block]	Note 4. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Following is a summary of the changes in the carrying value of goodwill, by reportable segment, for the three months ended December 31, 2015 (in thousands): Pharmaceutical Distribution Other Total Goodwill at September 30, 2015 $ $ $ Goodwill recognized in connection with acquisitions Foreign currency translation — ) ) Goodwill at December 31, 2015 $ $ $ Following is a summary of other intangible assets (in thousands): December 31, 2015 September 30, 2015 Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Indefinite-lived intangibles - trade names $ $ — $ $ $ — $ Finite-lived intangibles: Customer relationships ) ) Trade names and other ) ) Total other intangible assets $ $ ) $ $ $ ) $ Amortization expense for finite-lived intangible assets was $32.1 million and $5.5 million in the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Amortization expense for finite-lived intangible assets is estimated to be $150.9 million in fiscal 2016, $155.2 million in fiscal 2017, $153.0 million in fiscal 2018, $151.1 million in fiscal 2019, $148.7 million in fiscal 2020, and $1,659.4 million thereafter.

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt [Abstract]
Debt [Text Block]	Note 5. Debt Debt consisted of the following (in thousands): December 31, September 30, 2015 2015 Multi-currency revolving credit facility due 2020 $ — $ — Receivables securitization facility due 2018 — — Revolving credit note — — Overdraft facility — Term loans $600,000, 1.15% senior notes due 2017 $400,000, 4.875% senior notes due 2019 $500,000, 3.50% senior notes due 2021 $500,000, 3.40% senior notes due 2024 $500,000, 3.25% senior notes due 2025 $500,000, 4.25% senior notes due 2045 Total debt $ $ Less current portion — Total, net of current portion $ $ The Company has a $1.4 billion multi-currency senior unsecured revolving credit facility, which expires in November 2020 (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 (91 basis points over LIBOR/EURIBOR/Bankers Acceptance Stamping Fee at December 31, 2015). Additionally, interest on borrowings denominated in Canadian dollars may accrue at either 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 (9 basis points at December 31, 2015). 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 subsidiaries and asset sales, with which the Company was compliant as of December 31, 2015. 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, 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 December 31, 2015. The Company has a $950 million receivables securitization facility (“Receivables Securitization Facility”), which expires in November 2018. 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. The Company pays a customary unused fee at prevailing market rates, annually, to maintain the availability under the Receivables Securitization Facility. The Receivables Securitization Facility contains similar covenants to the Multi-Currency Revolving Credit Facility, with which the Company was compliant as of December 31, 2015. 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. The Company also has an uncommitted U.K. overdraft facility (“Overdraft Facility”), which allows it to borrow up to £20 million to fund short term normal trading cycle fluctuations related to its MWI business. The Overdraft Facility expires in November 2016. In February 2015, the Company entered into a $1.0 billion variable-rate term loan (“February 2015 Term Loan”), which matures in 2020. In fiscal 2015, the Company elected to make principal payments of $500 million on the February 2015 Term Loan, and as a result, the Company’s next required principal payment is due upon maturity. The February 2015 Term Loan bears interest at a rate equal either to a base rate plus a margin or a LIBOR plus a margin. The margin is based on the public debt ratings of the Company and ranges from 75 basis points to 125 basis points over a LIBOR (100 basis points at December 31, 2015) and 0 to 25 basis points over a base rate. The February 2015 Term Loan contains similar covenants to the Multi-Currency Revolving Credit Facility, with which the Company was compliant as of December 31, 2015. In November 2015, the Company entered into a $1.0 billion variable-rate term loan (“November 2015 Term Loan”), which matures in 2020. The November 2015 Term Loan is subject to quarterly principal payments of $25 million on the last business day of each March, June, September and December, commencing in March 2016. The remaining unpaid principal amount of the November 2015 Term Loan is due on the maturity date. The November 2015 Term Loan bears interest at a rate equal either to a base rate, plus a margin, or a LIBOR, plus a margin. The margin is based on our public debt ratings and ranges from 0 basis points to 25 basis points over a base rate, and ranges from 75 basis points to 125 basis points over LIBOR (100 basis points at December 31, 2015). The November 2015 Term Loan contains similar covenants to the Multi-Currency Revolving Credit Facility, with which the Company was compliant as of December 31, 2015.

Stockholders' Equity and Earnin

Stockholders' Equity and Earnings per Share	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Stockholders' Equity and Earnings per Share [Abstract]
Stockholders Equity and Earnings per Share [Text Block]	Note 6. Stockholders’ Equity and Earnings per Share In November 2015, the Company’s board of directors increased the quarterly cash dividend by 17% from $0.29 per share to $0.34 per share. In August 2013, 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 three months ended December 31, 2015, the Company did not purchase any shares of its common stock under this program. The Company had $274.5 million of availability remaining under this share repurchase program as of December 31, 2015. In March 2013, the Company and WBA entered into various agreements and arrangements pursuant to which subsidiaries of WBA 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 WBA, 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 WBA, 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 December 31, 2015 the Warrants with an exercise price of $51.50 were valued at $51.98 per share, and the Warrants with an exercise price of $52.50 were valued at $50.19 per share. In total, the Warrants were valued at $2,318.9 million as of December 31, 2015. Refer to “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates — Warrants” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 for a more detailed description of the accounting for the Warrants. The Company has taken steps to mitigate the potentially dilutive effect that the 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 option 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 initially intended to cover approximately 60% of the shares subject to the Warrants at the time the Company entered into the transactions. If the Warrants are exercised, the Company will use a majority of the proceeds to repurchase its shares under the Capped Calls. 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. This hedge transaction was completed in January 2014, and included the purchase of Capped Calls on a total of 27.2 million shares of the Company’s common stock for a total premium of $368.7 million. Subsequently, the Company amended certain of the Capped Calls to increase their “cap” price to continue to address the potentially dilutive effect of the Warrants. The Company paid a premium of $100.0 million in January 2015 to increase the cap price on certain of the Capped Calls subject to the warrants that become exercisable in 2016. 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 on 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 a reduction to paid-in capital. In fiscal 2014 and 2015, the Company purchased $1,774.1 million of its common stock under special share repurchase programs as an opportunity to further mitigate the potentially dilutive effect of the Warrants and supplement the Company’s previously executed warrant hedging strategy. In March 2015, the Company supplemented its hedging strategy by entering into a contract with a financial institution pursuant to which it has executed a series of issuer call options (“Call Options”). The Call Options gave the Company the right to buy shares of its common stock subject to the Warrants at specified prices between April 2015 and October 2015. In total, the Company purchased Call Options on six million shares of its common stock for a total premium of $80.0 million. The Company accounted for the Call Options as equity contracts and therefore, the above premiums were recorded as a reduction to paid-in capital. In September 2015, the Company’s board of directors authorized a new special share repurchase program allowing it to repurchase up to $2.4 billion in shares of its common stock, subject to market conditions. During the three months ended December 31, 2015, the Company purchased 1.3 million shares (all under the Call Options) of its common stock for a total of $118.6 million under this program. The Company has $2,157.3 million of availability remaining under this special share repurchase program as of December 31, 2015. Availability under the new special share repurchase program is reduced by share repurchases, if any, of its common stock on the open market under the special program, as well as share repurchases due to the Company’s exercise of Call Options and/or Capped Calls. Based on the closing stock price of the Company’s common stock on December 31, 2015, the Capped Calls associated with the Warrants exercisable in 2016 would have covered approximately 51% of the shares subject to the Warrants and the Capped Calls associated with the Warrants exercisable in 2017 would have covered approximately 46% of the shares subject to the Warrants. Adding the shares repurchased through December 31, 2015 under the special share repurchase programs, the Company would have covered 100% of the Warrants exercisable in 2016 and approximately 85% of the Warrants exercisable in 2017. 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 presented plus the dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and the Warrants. Three months ended December 31, (in thousands) 2015 2014 Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic Dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock, and restricted stock units — Dilutive effect of Warrants — Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted The potentially dilutive stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and Warrants that were antidilutive for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 were 1.5 million and 15.8 million, respectively.

Pension Plan

Pension Plan	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 7. Pension Plan 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, had accrued benefits. In fiscal 2015, the Company obtained regulatory approval from the Internal Revenue Service to settle the plan. In December 2015, the Company completed the settlement of plan benefits through the combination of lump-sum distributions to participants and the purchase of a nonparticipating annuity contract, which transferred the remaining obligation from the plan. Plan assets were sufficient to satisfy the obligations of the plan. In December 2015, the Company recorded a pension settlement charge of $48.7 million, which primarily consisted of the recognition of unrecognized actuarial losses that were included in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of the related deferred tax assets.

Legal Matters and Contingencies

Legal Matters and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Legal Matters and Contingencies [Abstract]
Legal Matters and Contingencies [Text Block]	Note 8. 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 Matters 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. 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. Subpoenas and Ongoing Investigations From time to time, the Company receives subpoenas or requests for information from various government agencies relating to the Company’s business or to the business of a customer, supplier or other industry participant. The Company generally responds to such subpoenas and requests in a cooperative manner. These responses often require time and effort and can result in considerable costs being incurred by the Company. Most of these matters are resolved without incident; however, such subpoenas or requests can lead to the assertion of claims or the commencement of civil or criminal legal proceedings against the Company and other members of the health care industry, as well as to substantial settlements. Since fiscal 2012, the Company and AmerisourceBergen Specialty Group (“ABSG”) have been responding to subpoenas from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York (“USAO-EDNY”) requesting production of documents and information relating to ABSG’s oncology distribution center and former pharmacy in Dothan, Alabama (including the practices and procedures of the former pharmacy’s pre-filled syringe program), its group purchasing organization for oncologists, and intercompany transfers of certain oncology products, which the Company believes could be related in whole or in part to one or more of the qui tam actions that remain under seal. The Company continues to engage in dialogue with the USAO-EDNY. 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-NJ”) 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. Since fiscal 2012, ABDC has received and responded to a number of subpoenas from both the USAO-NJ and DEA requesting grand jury testimony and additional information related to electronically stored information, documents concerning specific customers’ purchases of controlled substances, and DEA audits. The Company continues to engage in dialogue with the USAO-NJ. Since fiscal 2013, the Company or ABDC has received 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 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 have also requested documents concerning specific customers’ purchases of controlled substances. The Company has responded to the subpoenas and requests for information. The Company cannot predict the outcome of these ongoing investigations, or the impact on the Company as a result of these matters, which may include settlements in significant amounts that are not currently estimable, limitations on the Company’s conduct, the imposition of corporate integrity obligations and/or other civil and criminal penalties. State Proceedings In June 2012, the Attorney General of the State of West Virginia (“West Virginia”) filed complaints, which have been amended, 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 claims, that the distributors failed to provide effective controls and procedures to guard against diversion of controlled substances for illegitimate purposes in West Virginia, acted negligently by distributing controlled substances to pharmacies that serve individuals who abuse controlled substances, and failed to report suspicious orders of uncontrolled substances in accordance with state regulations. In addition to monetary damages and injunctive and other equitable relief, West Virginia is seeking to require the defendants to fund a medical monitoring treatment program. On April 6, 2015, ABDC filed a motion to dismiss, which was subsequently denied on September 8, 2015. On October 23, 2015, ABDC, together with all other defendants, filed a writ of prohibition to the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia. On October 30, 2015, ABDC filed an answer to West Virginia’s second amended complaint. The writ of prohibition filed on October 23, 2015 was denied on January 5, 2016. ABDC is vigorously defending itself and cannot predict the outcome of this matter.

Litigation Settlements

Litigation Settlements	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Litigation Settlements [Abstract]
Litigation Settlements [Text Block]	Note 9. 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 named a 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 have gone to trial, but some have settled in the past with the Company receiving proceeds from the settlement funds. During the three months ended December 31, 2015, the Company recognized gains of $12.8 million relating to the above-mentioned class action lawsuits. During the three months ended December 31, 2014, the Company recognized no gains 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.

Fair Value of Financial Instrum

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Text Block]	Note 10. Fair Value of Financial Instruments The recorded amounts of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable at December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 approximate fair value based upon the relatively short-term nature of these financial instruments. The Company had $38.3 million of investment securities available-for-sale, none of which are within cash and cash equivalents, at December 31, 2015. The Company had $213.1 million of investment securities available-for-sale, $126.9 million of which were within cash and cash equivalents, at September 30, 2015. The fair value of the investments was based on inputs other than quoted prices, otherwise known as Level 2 inputs. The investments held as of December 31, 2015 consist of fixed-income securities with maturities ranging from November 2016 to July 2017. The amortized cost of the investments was $38.4 million and $213.1 million at December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015, respectively. The recorded amount of long-term debt (see Note 5) and the corresponding fair value as of December 31, 2015 were $4,393.3 million and $4,388.7 million, respectively. The recorded amount of long-term debt and the corresponding fair value as of September 30, 2015 were $3,493.0 million and $3,515.1 million, respectively. The fair value of long-term debt was determined based on quoted market prices, otherwise known as Level 2 inputs.

Business Segment Information

Business Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Segment Information [Abstract]
Business Segment Information [Text Block]	Note 11. Business Segment Information The Company is organized based upon the products and services it provides to its customers. The Company’s operations are comprised of 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”), World Courier Group, Inc. (“World Courier”), and MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc. (“MWI”) operating segments. The following tables illustrate reportable segment information for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands): Revenue Three months ended December 31, 2015 2014 Pharmaceutical Distribution $ $ Other Intersegment eliminations ) ) Revenue $ $ Intersegment eliminations primarily represent the elimination of certain ABCS sales to the Pharmaceutical Distribution reportable segment. Segment Operating Income Three months ended December 31, 2015 2014 Pharmaceutical Distribution $ $ Other Total segment operating income $ $ The following table reconciles total segment operating income to loss from operations before income taxes (in thousands): Loss From Operations Before Income Taxes Three months ended December 31, 2015 2014 Total segment operating income $ $ Gains on antitrust litigation settlements — LIFO expense ) ) Acquisition-related intangibles amortization ) ) Warrant expense ) ) Employee severance, litigation and other ) ) Pension settlement charge ) — Operating loss ) ) Other (income) loss ) Interest expense, net Loss from operations before income taxes $ ) $ ) 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; pension settlement charge; other (income) loss; and interest expense, net. All corporate office expenses are allocated to each operating segment.

Summary of Significant Accoun20

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Accounting [Text Block]	Basis of Presentation The accompanying financial statements present the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows of AmerisourceBergen Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of the dates and for the periods indicated. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information, the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals, except as otherwise disclosed herein) considered necessary to present fairly the financial position as of December 31, 2015 and the results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 have been included. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, but which are not required for interim reporting purposes, have been omitted. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP 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. 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 was originally scheduled to be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those reporting periods. In July 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year. Entities are permitted to adopt the standard as early as the original public entity effective date, and either full or modified retrospective application is required. The Company has not yet selected a transition method and is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this new accounting guidance. In November 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-17, “Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes (“ASU 2015-17”).” ASU 2015-17 is the result of the FASB’s simplification initiative intended to improve U.S. GAAP by reducing costs and complexity while maintaining or enhancing the usefulness of related financial statement information. ASU 2015-17 requires that all deferred tax assets and liabilities, along with any related valuation allowance, be classified as noncurrent on the balance sheet. The guidance does not change the existing requirement that prohibits companies from offsetting deferred tax liabilities from one jurisdiction against deferred assets of another jurisdiction. ASU 2015-17 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. ASU 2015-17 will have no effect on the Company’s results of operations or liquidity. As of December 31, 2015, there were no other recently issued accounting standards that will have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations upon their adoption.

Goodwill and Other Intangible21

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill [Text Block]	Following is a summary of the changes in the carrying value of goodwill, by reportable segment, for the three months ended December 31, 2015 (in thousands): Pharmaceutical Distribution Other Total Goodwill at September 30, 2015 $ $ $ Goodwill recognized in connection with acquisitions Foreign currency translation — ) ) Goodwill at December 31, 2015 $ $ $
Schedule of Other Intangible Assets [Text Block]	Following is a summary of other intangible assets (in thousands): December 31, 2015 September 30, 2015 Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Indefinite-lived intangibles - trade names $ $ — $ $ $ — $ Finite-lived intangibles: Customer relationships ) ) Trade names and other ) ) Total other intangible assets $ $ ) $ $ $ ) $

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt [Abstract]
Schedule of Debt Instruments [Text Block]	Debt consisted of the following (in thousands): December 31, September 30, 2015 2015 Multi-currency revolving credit facility due 2020 $ — $ — Receivables securitization facility due 2018 — — Revolving credit note — — Overdraft facility — Term loans $600,000, 1.15% senior notes due 2017 $400,000, 4.875% senior notes due 2019 $500,000, 3.50% senior notes due 2021 $500,000, 3.40% senior notes due 2024 $500,000, 3.25% senior notes due 2025 $500,000, 4.25% senior notes due 2045 Total debt $ $ Less current portion — Total, net of current portion $ $

Stockholders' Equity and Earn23

Stockholders' Equity and Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Stockholders' Equity and Earnings per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Shares [Table Text Block]	Three months ended December 31, (in thousands) 2015 2014 Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic Dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock, and restricted stock units — Dilutive effect of Warrants — Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted

Business Segment Information (T

Business Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Segment Information [Abstract]
Reconciliation of revenue from segments to consolidated	The following tables illustrate reportable segment information for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands): Revenue Three months ended December 31, 2015 2014 Pharmaceutical Distribution $ $ Other Intersegment eliminations ) ) Revenue $ $
Reconciliation of Other Significant Reconciling Items from Segments to Consolidated Text Block	Segment Operating Income Three months ended December 31, 2015 2014 Pharmaceutical Distribution $ $ Other Total segment operating income $ $
Reconciliation of total segment operating income to loss from operations before income taxes	The following table reconciles total segment operating income to loss from operations before income taxes (in thousands): Loss From Operations Before Income Taxes Three months ended December 31, 2015 2014 Total segment operating income $ $ Gains on antitrust litigation settlements — LIFO expense ) ) Acquisition-related intangibles amortization ) ) Warrant expense ) ) Employee severance, litigation and other ) ) Pension settlement charge ) — Operating loss ) ) Other (income) loss ) Interest expense, net Loss from operations before income taxes $ ) $ )

Acquisition (Details)

Acquisition (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Nov. 06, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 5,981,744	$ 4,130,825
PharMEDium Healthcare Holdings, Inc [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition cost	$ 2,700,000
Goodwill	1,800,000
Accounts receivable	63,200
Inventory	43,100
Accounts payable	22,800
Estimated fair value of the intangible assets acquired, finite-lived	1,100,000
Deferred tax liability	424,500
PharMEDium Healthcare Holdings, Inc [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated fair value of the intangible assets acquired, finite-lived	$ 883,400
Estimated useful lives	15 years
PharMEDium Healthcare Holdings, Inc [Member] | Trade Names [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated fair value of the intangible assets acquired, finite-lived	$ 167,600
Estimated useful lives	15 years
PharMEDium Healthcare Holdings, Inc [Member] | Computer Software, Intangible Asset [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated fair value of the intangible assets acquired, finite-lived	$ 52,600
Estimated useful lives	10 years

Income Taxes - Unrecognized Tax

Income Taxes - Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Including Federal Benefit	$ 51.9
Unrecognized Tax Benefits That Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	36.6
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Income Tax Penalties And Interest Accrued	7.9
Decrease in unrecognized tax benefits	$ (0.9)

Income Taxes - Warrants (Detail

Income Taxes - Warrants (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 18, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Full Value of Warrants	$ 242.4	$ 2,318.9
Term of agreements	10 years

Income Taxes - Other Income Tax

Income Taxes - Other Income Tax Items (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Significant change in unrecognized tax benefits is reasonably possible amount of unrecorded benefit	$ 7.5
Recognized tax benefit adjustment for the reduction in the fair value of the warrants	456
Additional recognized tax benefit adjustment for the reduction in the fair value of the warrants	$ 173

Goodwill and Other Intangible29

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of the Changes in the Carrying Value of Goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	$ 4,130,825
Goodwill recognized in connection with acquisition	1,852,705
Foreign currency translation	(1,786)
Goodwill	5,981,744
Pharmaceutical Distribution [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	2,418,806
Goodwill recognized in connection with acquisition	1,825,590
Foreign currency translation	0
Goodwill	4,244,396
Other Segments [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	1,712,019
Goodwill recognized in connection with acquisition	27,115
Foreign currency translation	(1,786)
Goodwill	$ 1,737,348

Goodwill and Other Intangible30

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Other Intangible Assets - Indefinite-lived Intangibles (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015
Trade Names [Member]
Indefinite-lived intangibles
Indefinite-lived intangibles	$ 684,899	$ 684,966

Goodwill and Other Intangible31

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Other Intangible Assets - Finite-lived Intangibles (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015
Finite-lived intangibles
Accumulated amortization	$ (226,257)	$ (194,318)
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-lived intangibles
Gross carrying amount	2,309,819	1,421,230
Accumulated amortization	(173,352)	(146,227)
Net carrying amount	2,136,467	1,275,003
Trade Names and Other [Member]
Finite-lived intangibles
Gross carrying amount	302,632	81,241
Accumulated amortization	(52,905)	(48,091)
Net carrying amount	$ 249,727	$ 33,150

Goodwill and Other Intangible32

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Other Intangible Assets - Total Intangibles (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015
Other intangible assets
Gross carrying amount	$ 3,297,350	$ 2,187,437
Accumulated amortization	(226,257)	(194,318)
Net carrying amount	$ 3,071,093	$ 1,993,119

Goodwill and Other Intangible33

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Amortization Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Amortization expense	$ 32,096	$ 5,524

Goodwill and Other Intangible34

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Amortization Expense - Fiscal Year Maturity (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Amortization expense, fiscal year maturity
2,016	$ 150.9
2,017	155.2
2,018	153
2,019	151.1
2,020	148.7
Thereafter	$ 1,659.4

Debt (Details)

Debt (Details) $ in Thousands, £ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015GBP (£)	Nov. 30, 2015USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015GBP (£)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Short-term borrowings						$ 0	$ 108,412
Long Term Debt						3,493,048	4,393,317
Total debt						3,493,048	4,501,729
Less Current Portion						0	108,412
Total, net of current portion						3,493,048	4,393,317
Receivables Securitization Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity date					November 2,018
Short-term borrowings						0	0
Maximum borrowing capacity							950,000
Interest rate description					prevailing market rates for short-term commercial paper or LIBOR plus a program fee.
Covenant terms					The Receivables Securitization Facility contains similar covenants to the Multi-Currency Revolving Credit Facility, with which the Company was compliant as of December 31, 2015.
Ability to Increase Debt Commitment Under Accordion Feature in December and March Quarters					$ 250,000
Multi Currency Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity date					November 2020
Short-term borrowings						0	0
Maximum borrowing capacity							1,400,000
Interest rate description					69 basis points to 110 basis points over LIBOR/EURIBOR/Bankers Acceptance Stamping Fee
Covenant terms					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 subsidiaries and asset sales, with which the Company was compliant as of December 31, 2015.
Canadian prime rate					the Canadian prime rate or the CDOR rate
Commitment fee percentage					0.09%
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]
Variable rate spread (as a percent)					0.91%
Multi Currency Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | LIBOR / EURIBOR / Bankers Acceptance Stamping Fee [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable rate spread (as a percent)					0.69%
Multi Currency Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | LIBOR / EURIBOR / Bankers Acceptance Stamping Fee [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable rate spread (as a percent)					1.10%
Overdraft Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debt						0	8,412
Maximum borrowing capacity | £	£ 20			£ 20
Senior Notes Due 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount							$ 600,000
Stated percentage	1.15%			1.15%			1.15%
Maturity date					May 15, 2017
Long Term Debt						599,658	$ 599,712
Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount							$ 400,000
Stated percentage	4.875%			4.875%			4.875%
Maturity date					2,019
Long Term Debt						398,456	$ 398,543
Senior Notes Due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount							$ 500,000
Stated percentage	3.50%			3.50%			3.50%
Maturity date					2,021
Long Term Debt						499,568	$ 499,586
Revolving Credit Note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Short-term borrowings						0	0
Maximum borrowing capacity							75,000
Commercial Paper [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Short-term borrowings							0
Maximum borrowing capacity							1,400,000
Maturity term					365 days
Terms of short term debt					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, 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 December 31, 2015.
Senior Notes Due 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount							$ 500,000
Stated percentage	3.40%			3.40%			3.40%
Maturity date					May 15, 2024
Long Term Debt						498,777	$ 498,812
Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debt						500,000	1,500,000
February Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity			$ 1,000,000
Maturity term			5 years
Repayments of term loan						500,000
Interest rate description			The February 2015 Term Loan bears interest at a rate equal either to a base rate plus a margin or a LIBOR plus a margin.
Covenant terms					The February 2015 Term Loan contains similar covenants to the Multi-Currency Revolving Credit Facility, with which the Company was compliant as of December 31, 2015.
February Term Loan [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable rate spread (as a percent)			1.00%
February Term Loan [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate LIBOR [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable rate spread (as a percent)			0.75%
February Term Loan [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate LIBOR [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable rate spread (as a percent)			1.25%
February Term Loan [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable rate spread (as a percent)			0.00%
February Term Loan [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable rate spread (as a percent)			0.25%
November Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity		$ 1,000,000
Maturity term		5 years
Principal payment frequency		quarterly
Scheduled principal payment		$ 25,000
Interest rate description		The November 2015 Term Loan bears interest at a rate equal either to a base rate, plus a margin, or a LIBOR, plus a margin.
Covenant terms				The November 2015 Term Loan contains similar covenants to the Multi-Currency Revolving Credit Facility, with which the Company was compliant as of December 31, 2015.
November Term Loan [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable rate spread (as a percent)	100.00%
November Term Loan [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate LIBOR [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable rate spread (as a percent)		75.00%
November Term Loan [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate LIBOR [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable rate spread (as a percent)		125.00%
November Term Loan [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable rate spread (as a percent)		0.00%
November Term Loan [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable rate spread (as a percent)		25.00%
Senior Notes Due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount							$ 500,000
Stated percentage	3.25%			3.25%			3.25%
Maturity date					March 1, 2025
Long Term Debt						497,503	$ 497,570
Senior Notes Due 2045 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount							$ 500,000
Stated percentage	4.25%			4.25%			4.25%
Maturity date					March 1, 2045
Long Term Debt						$ 499,086	$ 499,094

Stockholders' Equity and Earn36

Stockholders' Equity and Earnings per Share - Dividends (Details) - $ / shares	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Stockholders' Equity and Earnings per Share [Abstract]
Dividend increase percentage	17.00%
Quarterly cash dividend declared per share of common stock		$ 0.34	$ 0.29

Stockholders' Equity and Earn37

Stockholders' Equity and Earnings per Share - Share Repurchase Programs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	24 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Aug. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
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%
August 2013 Share Repurchase Program [Member]
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program Authorized Amount			$ 750
Stock Repurchase Program Remaining Authorized Amount	$ 274.5
September 2015 Share Repurchase Program [Member]
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program Authorized Amount		$ 2,400
Stock Repurchase Program Remaining Authorized Amount	2,157.3
Treasury Stock Value Acquired Cost Method	$ 118.6
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	1,300,000
Special Share Repurchase Programs [Member]
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Treasury Stock Value Acquired Cost Method		$ 1,774.1

Stockholders' Equity and Earn38

Stockholders' Equity and Earnings per Share - Warrants Issued (Details)	1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013$ / sharesshares
Walgreens Warrant 1 [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights | shares	11,348,456
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights | $ / shares	$ 51.50
Class of Warrant or Right, Date from which Warrants or Rights are Exercisable	Mar. 1, 2016
Walgreens Warrant 2 [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights | shares	11,348,456
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights | $ / shares	$ 52.50
Class of Warrant or Right, Date from which Warrants or Rights are Exercisable	Mar. 1, 2017
Alliance Boots Warrant 1 [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights | shares	11,348,456
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights | $ / shares	$ 51.50
Class of Warrant or Right, Date from which Warrants or Rights are Exercisable	Mar. 1, 2016
Alliance Boots Warrant 2 [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights | shares	11,348,456
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights | $ / shares	$ 52.50
Class of Warrant or Right, Date from which Warrants or Rights are Exercisable	Mar. 1, 2017

Stockholders' Equity and Earn39

Stockholders' Equity and Earnings per Share - Warrants - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	24 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Mar. 18, 2013
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Fair Value per Share of First Tranche of Warrants			$ 51.98
Fair Value per Share of Second Tranche of Warrants			$ 50.19
Percentage of Warrant Dilution Intended to be Hedged with Contract		60.00%
Derivative, Cost of Hedge	$ 100			$ 368.7
Shares Covered Under Derivative Purchases				27.2
Full Value of Warrants			$ 2,318.9		$ 242.4
Call options purchased on common stock	6
Total premium	$ 80
Capped calls associated with the warrants exercisable in 2016 (as a percent)			51.00%
Capped calls associated with warrants exercisable in 2017 (as a percent)			46.00%
Exercisable warrants covered in 2016			100.00%
Exercisable warrants covered in 2017			85.00%
First Group of Tranches [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Forward Rate			$ 51.50
Second Group of Tranches [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Forward Rate			$ 52.50

Stockholders' Equity and Earn40

Stockholders' Equity and Earnings per Share - Earnings per Share (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Stockholders' Equity and Earnings per Share [Abstract]
Basic	206,180	219,456
Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Share Based Payment Arrangements	3,858	0
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Call Options and Warrants	16,680	0
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted, Total	226,718	219,456

Stockholders' Equity and Earn41

Stockholders' Equity and Earnings per Share - Antidilutive Securities (Details) - shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Stockholders' Equity and Earnings per Share [Abstract]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount	1.5	15.8

Pension Plan (Details)

Pension Plan (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)employee	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan Number of Plan Participants | employee	3,200
Defined Benefit Plan Number of Active Employees | employee	500
Pension settlement charge | $	$ 48,731	$ 0

Litigation Settlements (Details

Litigation Settlements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Litigation Settlements [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) Related to Litigation Settlement	$ 12,791	$ 0

Fair Value of Financial Instr44

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015
Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Amortized costs of investments	$ 38.4	$ 213.1
Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Long-term debt	4,393.3	3,493
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Long-term debt	4,388.7	3,515.1
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities	38.3	213.1
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fixed Income Securities [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities	$ 0	$ 126.9

Business Segment Information -

Business Segment Information - Total Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 36,709,046	$ 33,588,602
Intersegment Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	(63,448)	(90,123)
Pharmaceutical Distribution [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	35,194,679	32,982,724
Other Segments [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 1,577,815	$ 696,001

Business Segment Information 46

Business Segment Information - Total Segment Operating Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income	$ (179,831)	$ (88,397)
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income	475,124	435,567
Pharmaceutical Distribution [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income	379,559	390,401
Other Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income	$ 95,565	$ 45,166

Business Segment Information 47

Business Segment Information - Reconciliation of Total Segment Income to Income (Loss) from Operations before Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Gains on antitrust litigation settlements	$ 12,791	$ 0
LIFO expense	(101,562)	(144,024)
Acquisition - related intangibles amortization	(31,210)	(5,032)
Warrant expense	(467,375)	(371,405)
Employee severance, litigation and other	(18,868)	(3,503)
Pension settlement charge	(48,731)	0
Operating loss	(179,831)	(88,397)
Other (income) loss	(310)	1,314
Interest expense, net	30,879	17,342
Loss from operations before income taxes	(210,400)	(107,053)
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Operating loss	$ 475,124	$ 435,567