Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net (loss) income	$ (92,464)	$ 5,006
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	315	2,706
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(9,665)	0
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(9,350)	2,706
Comprehensive (loss) income	(101,814)	7,712
Less: comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest	16	28
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to The Medicines Company	$ (101,798)	$ 7,740