Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Revenues:
Product revenues, net	$ 267,381	$ 375,375
Royalty revenues	43,573	38,981
Collaborative revenues	17,414	24,381
Total revenues	328,368	438,737
Costs and expenses:
Cost of product revenues	30,955	25,918
Royalty expenses	11,788	13,293
Research and development expenses	218,095	196,371
Sales, general and administrative expenses	92,879	111,146
Restructuring expense	39	360
Intangible asset impairment charge (Note I)	412,900	0
Total costs and expenses	766,656	347,088
Income (loss) from operations	(438,288)	91,649
Other income (expense), net	(4,652)	(3,741)
Income (loss) before provision for (benefit from) income taxes	(442,940)	87,908
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	(130,313)	32
Net income (loss)	(312,627)	87,876
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling Interest (Alios)	4,611	3,714
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex	$ (308,016)	$ 91,590
Net income (loss) per share attributable to Vertex common shareholders:
Basic (usd per share)	$ (1.43)	$ 0.44
Diluted (usd per share)	$ (1.43)	$ 0.43
Shares used in per share calculations:
Basic (shares)	215,421	208,018
Diluted (shares)	215,421	219,264