Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 182,421	$ (46,539)	$ 89,957	$ (41,533)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(37)	(752)	278	1,954
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	0	0	(9,665)	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(37)	(752)	(9,387)	1,954
Comprehensive income (loss)	182,384	(47,291)	80,570	(39,579)
Less: comprehensive loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interest	21	(53)	37	(25)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to The Medicines Company	$ 182,405	$ (47,344)	$ 80,607	$ (39,604)