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, 2010	$ 503,973		$ 503,973	$ 2,016	$ 3,947,433	$ (1,067)	$ (3,444,409)	$ 0	$ 0
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2010				203,523,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Unrealized holding losses on marketable securities	(119)		(119)			(119)
Unrealized losses on foreign currency forward contracts	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment	133		133			133
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders	29,574
Net income (loss)	41,179		29,574					11,605
Issuances of common stock:
Benefit plans (shares)	183,000			5,781,000
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans	133,393		133,418	56	133,362			(25)
Stock-based compensation expense	119,268		118,964		118,964			304
Tax benefit from equity compensation	900				900
Alios noncontrolling interest upon consolidation	130,486							130,486	36,299
Change in liquidation value of noncontrolling interest	(737)							(737)	(737)
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 losses on marketable securities	305		305			305
Unrealized losses on foreign currency forward contracts	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment	198		198			198
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders	(107,032)						(107,032)
Net income (loss)	(51,135)		(107,032)					55,897
Issuances of common stock:
Benefit plans (shares)	242,000			7,983,000
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans	201,992		201,837	77	201,760			155
Stock-based compensation expense	115,539		115,058		115,058			481
Tax benefit from equity compensation	1,971		1,971		1,971
Change in liquidation value of noncontrolling interest	(1,494)							(1,494)	(1,494)
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 losses on marketable securities	(154)		(154)			(154)
Unrealized losses on foreign currency forward contracts	(23)		(23)			(23)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	421		421			421
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders	(445,028)
Net income (loss)	(687,550)		(445,028)					(242,522)
Issuances of common stock:
Benefit plans (shares)	99,000			8,226,000
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans	271,738		271,801	88	271,713			(63)
Convertible senior subordinated notes (due 2015) conversion (shares)				8,276,000
Convertible senior subordinated notes (due 2015) conversion	402,265		402,265	83	402,182
Stock-based compensation expense	128,351		127,883		127,883			468
Employee Service Share-Based Compensation, Restructuring Expenses	1,312		1,312		1,312
Tax benefit from equity compensation	(1,252)		(1,252)		(1,252)
Alios noncontrolling interest upon deconsolidation	45,445							45,445	38,530
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 1,356,405	[1]	$ 1,356,405	$ 2,320	$ 5,321,286	$ (306)	$ (3,966,895)	$ 0	$ 0
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2013				233,789,000

[1] Amounts as of December 31, 2012 include the assets and liabilities of Vertex’s variable interest entity (“VIE”), Alios BioPharma, Inc. (“Alios”). The Company deconsolidated Alios as of December 31, 2013. 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 B, "Collaborative Arrangements," to these consolidated financial statements for amounts.