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	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest
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 on marketable securities	305	305			305
Unrealized gains (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	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 on marketable securities	(154)	(154)			(154)
Unrealized gains (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)					(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
Restructuring expense related to benefit plans	1,312	1,312		1,312
Tax benefit from equity compensation	(1,252)	(1,252)		(1,252)
Noncontrolling interest upon deconsolidation	45,445						45,445	(38,530)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	1,356,405	1,356,405	2,320	5,321,286	(306)	(3,966,895)	0	0
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2013			233,789,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Unrealized holding gains on marketable securities	(165)	(165)			(165)
Unrealized gains (losses) on foreign currency forward contracts	2,034	2,034			2,034
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(646)	(646)			(646)
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders	(738,555)					(738,555)
Net income (loss)	(742,745)	(738,555)					(4,190)
Issuances of common stock:
Benefit plans (shares)			7,975,000
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans	274,808	274,808	65	274,743
Stock-based compensation expense	178,965	178,965		178,965
Tax benefit from equity compensation	2,160	2,160		2,160
Noncontrolling interest upon consolidation	25,367						25,367
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 1,096,183	$ 1,075,006	$ 2,385	$ 5,777,154	$ 917	$ (4,705,450)	$ 21,177	$ 0
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2014			241,764,000