Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Net revenue	$ 558,588	$ 484,732	$ 437,645
Operating expenses:
Cost of revenue	177,339	156,866	129,299
Research and development	126,423	110,180	85,241
Selling, general and administrative	171,753	159,617	158,690
Total operating expenses	475,515	426,663	373,230
Income from operations	83,073	58,069	64,415
Legal settlement	0	17,984	0
Co-promotion income	10,000	0	0
Interest expense	(8,005)	0	0
Other income (loss)	1,140	1,790	(267)
Income before income taxes	86,208	77,843	64,148
(Provision) benefit for income taxes	(35,038)	50,034	40,487
Net income	51,170	127,877	104,635
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	84	0	0
Net income attributable to The Medicines Company	$ 51,254	$ 127,877	$ 104,635
Basic earnings per common share attributable to The Medicines Company	$ 0.96	$ 2.39	$ 1.98
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to The Medicines Company	$ 0.93	$ 2.35	$ 1.97
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic	53,545	53,496	52,842
Diluted	55,346	54,407	53,184