Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity and Noncontrolling Interest (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total		Total Vertex Shareholders' Equity	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Accumulated Deficit	Noncontrolling Interest (Alios)	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Alios)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 928,476		$ 786,843	$ 2,072	$ 4,200,659	$ (1,053)	$ (3,414,835)	$ 141,633	$ 37,036
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2011				209,304,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on marketable securities, net of tax	324		324			324
Foreign currency translation adjustment	313		313			313
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders	(30,884)						(30,884)
Net income (loss)	26,941		(30,884)					57,825
Issuances of common stock:
Benefit plans (shares)				7,038,000
Benefit plans	183,022		182,872	69	182,803			150
Stock-based compensation expense	87,537		87,168		87,168			369
Tax benefit from equity compensation	1,097		1,097		1,097
Change in liquidation value of noncontrolling interest	(1,263)							(1,263)	1,263
Balance at Sep. 30, 2012	1,226,447		1,027,733	2,141	4,471,727	(416)	(3,445,719)	198,714	38,299
Balance (shares) at Sep. 30, 2012				216,342,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	1,195,852	[1]	999,180	2,149	4,519,448	(550)	(3,521,867)	196,672	38,530
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2012				217,287,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on marketable securities, net of tax	7		7			7
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(7)		(7)			(7)
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders	(489,313)						(489,313)
Net income (loss)	(503,001)		(489,313)					(13,688)
Issuances of common stock:
Benefit plans (shares)				8,029,000
Benefit plans	248,216		248,286	79	248,207			(70)
Convertible senior subordinated notes (due 2015) conversion				8,276,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Convertible Securities	402,265		402,265	83	402,182
Stock-based compensation expense	104,818		104,470		104,470			348
Change in liquidation value of noncontrolling interest	(1,094)							(1,094)	1,094
Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	$ 1,447,056	[1]	$ 1,264,888	$ 2,311	$ 5,274,307	$ (550)	$ (4,011,180)	$ 182,168	$ 39,624
Balance (shares) at Sep. 30, 2013				233,592,000

[1] Amounts include the assets and liabilities of Vertex’s variable interest entity (“VIE”), Alios BioPharma, Inc. (“Alios”). Vertex’s interests and obligations with respect to the VIE’s assets and liabilities are limited to those accorded to Vertex in its agreement with Alios. See Note C, "Collaborative Arrangements," to these condensed consolidated financial statements for amounts.