2.2.0.25truefalse4100 - Disclosure - Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 (Details)truefalsefalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse3/31/2011 USD ($) USD ($) / shares $I2011Q1http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000875320instant2011-03-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$2falsefalseUSDfalsefalse12/31/2010 USD ($) USD ($) / shares $I2010http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000875320instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$3falsefalseUSDfalsefalse9/30/2010 USD ($) $I2010Q3_M09http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000875320instant2010-09-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$4falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis} : 2015 Notes 9/1/2010 - 9/30/2010 D2010_M09_ConvertibleSeniorSubordinatedNotes3.35PercentDue2015Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000875320duration2010-09-01T00:00:002010-09-30T00:00:00falsefalse2015 Notesus-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldivrtx_ConvertibleSeniorSubordinatedNotes3.35PercentDue2015Memberus-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisexplicitMemberPureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170$5falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis} : 2015 Notes 9/1/2010 - 9/28/2010 USD ($) USD ($) / shares $D2010Q3_M09_ConvertibleSeniorSubordinatedNotes3.35PercentDue2015Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000875320duration2010-09-01T00:00:002010-09-28T00:00:00falsefalse2015 Notesus-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldivrtx_ConvertibleSeniorSubordinatedNotes3.35PercentDue2015Memberus-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisexplicitMemberPureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$6falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis} : 2015 Notes 1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 D2011Q1_ConvertibleSeniorSubordinatedNotes3.35PercentDue2015Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000875320duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00falsefalse2015 Notesus-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldivrtx_ConvertibleSeniorSubordinatedNotes3.35PercentDue2015Memberus-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisexplicitMemberPureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170$7falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis} : 2015 Notes 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 D2010_ConvertibleSeniorSubordinatedNotes3.35PercentDue2015Memberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000875320duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalse2015 Notesus-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldivrtx_ConvertibleSeniorSubordinatedNotes3.35PercentDue2015Memberus-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisexplicitMemberPureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170$2true0vrtx_ConvertibleSeniorSubordinatedNotesAndCollaboratorLoanLineItemsvrtxfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseConvertible Senior Subordinated Notes and Collaborator Loan3false0us-gaap_ConvertibleSubordinatedDebtNoncurrentus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse400000000400000000falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse400000000400000000falsetruefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse400000000400000000falsetruefalsefalsefalse4truefalsefalse400000000400000000falsetruefalsetruefalse5truefalsefalse400000000400000000falsetruefalsetruefalse6truefalsefalse400000000400000000falsetruefalsetruefalse7truefalsefalse400000000400000000falsetruefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe portion of the carrying value of convertible subordinated debt as of the balance sheet date that is scheduled to be repaid after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle if longer. This form of debt can be exchanged for a specified amount of another security, typically the entity's common stock, at the option of the issuer or the holder, and places a lender in a lien position behind debt having a higher priority of repayment in liquidation of the entity's assets.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 falsefalseConvertible senior subordinated notes (due 2015)4false0us-gaap_SubordinatedBorrowingInterestRateus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4truetruefalse0.03350.0335falsefalsefalsetruefalse5truetruefalse0.03350.0335falsefalsefalsetruefalse6truetruefalse0.03350.0335falsefalsefalsetruefalse7truetruefalse0.03350.0335falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureStated interest rate of the subordinated debt.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG) -Number AAG-BRD -Chapter 4 -Paragraph 80 -Subparagraph Exhibit 4-8, 9 -IssueDate 2006-05-01 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG) -Number AAG-BRD -Chapter 4 -Paragraph 08 -IssueDate 2006-05-01 falsefalseInterest rate (as a percent)5false0us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebtus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5truefalsefalse391600000391600000falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe cash inflow from a debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 18 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 19 -Subparagraph b falsefalseNet proceeds from convertible debt offering6false0us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtIssuanceCostsus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5truefalsefalse80000008000000falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe cash outflow paid to third parties in connection with debt origination, which will be amortized over the remaining maturity period of the associated long-term debt.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 95-13 falsefalseUnderwriting discount7false0vrtx_PaymentsOfDebtIssuanceExpensesvrtxfalsedebitdurationThe cash outflow paid to third parties in connection with debt origination (excluding any Underwriting Discounts), which will...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5truefalsefalse400000400000falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe cash outflow paid to third parties in connection with debt origination (excluding any Underwriting Discounts), which will be amortized over the remaining maturity period of the associated long-term debt.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseDebt issuance costs8false0vrtx_DebtInstrumentsConvertibleConversionPricevrtxfalsenadurationThe price per share of the conversion feature embedded in a debt instrument.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5truefalsefalse48.8348.83falsetruefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalThe price per share of the conversion feature embedded in a debt instrument.No authoritative reference available.falsetrueConversion price (in dollars per share)9false0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionRatious-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5truefalsefalse20.479420.4794falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherxbrli:decimalItemTypedecimalThe ratio applied to the debt for purposes of determining the number of shares of the equity security into which the debt will be converted.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 129 -Paragraph 4 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 falsefalseOriginal conversion rate, number of shares to be issued per $1000 of principal (in shares)10false0vrtx_DebtExchangeRatePrincipalAmountUsedInCalculationvrtxfalsecreditdurationThe unit of measurement in dollars which establishes the exchange rate of the debt instrument into common shares.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5truefalsefalse10001000falsetruefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe unit of measurement in dollars which establishes the exchange rate of the debt instrument into common shares.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseConvertible debt principal amount, basis for exchange11false0vrtx_ConditionForProvisionalRedemptionIfPercentageInExcessOfConversionPriceForCommonStockTradedForAtleast20DaysWithin30ConsecutiveTradingDaysvrtxfalsenainstantThis element represents the condition for provisional redemption, if percentage is in excess of conversion price for common...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5truetruefalse1.301.30falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureThis element represents the condition for provisional redemption, if percentage is in excess of conversion price for common stock that is traded for at least 20 days within 30 consecutive trading days.No authoritative reference available.falsefalsePercent closing price needs to exceed the conversion price for at least 20 trading days within 30 consecutive trading days for provisional redemption (as a percent)12false0vrtx_ConditionForProvisionalRedemptionMinimumNumberOfDaysWithin30ConsecutiveTradingDaysTheClosingPriceNeedsToExceedTheConversionPricevrtxfalsenainstantThe number of trading days within a period of 30 consecutive trading days the closing price of the Company's common stock...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse0020falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherus-types:durationStringItemTypenormalizedstringThe number of trading days within a period of 30 consecutive trading days the closing price of the Company's common stock must exceed the applicable conversion price by 130% in order for the Company to, at its option, redeem all or part of the convertible notes.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseMinimum number of days within 30 consecutive trading days the closing price needs to exceed the conversion price for provisional redemption (in days)13false0vrtx_ConditionForProvisionalRedemptionTotalConsecutiveTradingDaysDuringWhichTheClosingPriceMustExceedTheConversionPriceForAtLeast20TradingDaysForProvisionalRedemptionvrtxfalsenainstantThe number of consecutive trading days during which the closing price of the Company's common stock must exceed the...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse0030falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherus-types:durationStringItemTypenormalizedstringThe number of consecutive trading days during which the closing price of the Company's common stock must exceed the applicable conversion price by 130% for at least 20 days in order for the Company to, at its option, redeem all or part of the convertible notes.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseTotal consecutive trading days during which the closing price must exceed the conversion price for at least 20 trading days for provisional redemption (in days)14false0vrtx_PercentageOfPrincipalAmountUsedInComputationOfProvisionalRedemptionPricevrtxfalsenainstantThe percentage of principal amount used in computation of provisional redemption price.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5truetruefalse1.001.00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureThe percentage of principal amount used in computation of provisional redemption price.No authoritative reference available.falsefalsePercentage of principal amount used in computation of provisional redemption price (as a percent)15false0vrtx_InterestPaymentsOnNotesProvisionallyRedeemedEqualToInterestOfSpecifiedNumberOfYearsvrtxfalsenainstantThis element represents the interest of the specified number of years which the entity would make interest payments for the...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalse6truefalsefalse33falsefalsefalsetruefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsetruefalseOtherxbrli:integerItemTypeintegerThis element represents the interest of the specified number of years which the entity would make interest payments for the notes being provisionally redeemed.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseTotal interest payments on notes being provisionally redeemed equal to interest for specified number of years (in years)714Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 (Details) (USD $)NoRoundingUnKnownNoRoundingUnKnowntruetrue