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available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse155000000155000000falsetruefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe stated principal amount of the debt instrument at time of issuance, which may vary from the carrying amount because of unamortized premium or discount.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 21 -Paragraph 16, 20 falsefalseFace amount of 2012 Notes5false0us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSecuredDebtus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse122200000122200000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe cash inflow from the issuance of collateralized debt obligation (backed by pledge, mortgage or other lien in the entity's assets).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 falsefalseProceeds from issuance of 2012 Notes6false0vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementValueOfSecurityInterestInMilestonesvrtxfalsecreditdurationThe value of contingent consideration to be received for the milestones of regulatory filing and approval, and product launch...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse155000000155000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe value of contingent consideration to be received for the milestones of regulatory filing and approval, and product launch in the European Union, pursuant to the Janssen collaboration agreement, that has been pledged as collateral to the Purchaser of the note series.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseSecurity interest in future milestone payments pursuant to the Janssen collaboration7false0vrtx_ProceedsFromMilestonePaymentvrtxfalsecreditdurationRepresents the proceeds from milestone payment related to the acceptance of Janssen's marketing authorization 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current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of long-term borrowings as of the balance sheet date. May include notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt, which had initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer, and after deducting unamortized discount or premiums, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 16 -Article 7 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 16 -Article 9 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 20, 22 -Article 5 falsefalseOutstanding aggregate amount of 2012 Notes9false0vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementPortionOfNotesRedeemedUponApprovalMilestonevrtxfalsecreditdurationThe portion of the 2012 Notes that will be redeemed upon achieving certain approval milestone pursuant to the Janssen...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse5000000050000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe portion of the 2012 Notes that will be redeemed upon achieving certain approval milestone pursuant to the Janssen collaboration.No authoritative reference available.falsefalsePortion of 2012 Notes that will be redeemed upon achievement of certain approval milestone pursuant to the Janssen collaboration10false0us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmountus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse5000000050000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryGross amount of debt extinguished.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseRedemption of 2012 Notes11false0vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementPortionOfNotesRedeemedUponLaunchMilestonesvrtxfalsecreditdurationThe portion of the 2012 Notes that will be redeemed upon achieving certain launch milestones pursuant to the Janssen...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse5500000055000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe portion of the 2012 Notes that will be redeemed upon achieving certain launch milestones pursuant to the Janssen collaboration.No authoritative reference available.falsefalsePortion of 2012 Notes that will be redeemed upon achievement of certain launch milestones pursuant to the Janssen collaboration12false0vrtx_DebtInstrumentChangeOfControlCallPercentOfPrincipalAmountDuevrtxfalsenadurationThe principal amount of the outstanding notes that must be repaid upon call of the notes by the note holders due to a change...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truetruefalse1.001.00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureThe principal amount of the outstanding notes that must be repaid upon call of the notes by the note holders due to a change in control of the Company, pursuant to the debt agreement, stated as a percent of the principal face amount.No authoritative reference available.falsefalsePercent of outstanding 2012 Notes face amount due upon change of control call of notes (as a percent)13false0vrtx_EarlyDebtRedemptionPricePercentOfPrincipalAmountvrtxfalsenadurationThe portion of the principal face amount that must be repaid to note holders upon the Company's exercise of their right to...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truetruefalse1.001.00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureThe portion of the principal face amount that must be repaid to note holders upon the Company's exercise of their right to redeem the notes prior to maturity in accordance with the note agreement, stated as a percent of the principal face amount.No authoritative reference available.falsefalsePercent of outstanding 2012 Notes face amount due upon early redemption (as a percent)14false0vrtx_DebtInstrumentDefaultCallMinimumRepresentationRequiredvrtxfalsenadurationThe minimum principal amount of notes outstanding required to declare the principal of the notes due and payable upon...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truetruefalse0.250.25falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsetruefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureThe minimum principal amount of notes outstanding required to declare the principal of the notes due and payable upon occurrence of certain events of default.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseMinimum amount of outstanding 2012 Notes required to declare 2012 Notes due in event of default (as a percent)15true0vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementAbstractvrtxfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseSale of Future Milestone Payments16false0vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementNumberOfPurchaseAgreementsRelatedToSaleOfFutureMilestonePaymentsvrtxfalsenadurationThe number of purchase agreements entered into related to the sale of potential future launch milestone payments pursuant to...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse22falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:integerItemTypeintegerThe number of purchase agreements entered into related to the sale of potential future launch milestone payments pursuant to the Janssen collaborationNo authoritative reference available.falsefalseNumber of purchase agreements entered into related to sale of potential future launch milestone payments pursuant to the Janssen collaboration17false0vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementAggregateValueOfFutureMilestonePaymentsSoldvrtxfalsecreditdurationThe aggregate value of potential future launch milestone payments to be received pursuant to the Janssen collaboration...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse9500000095000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe aggregate value of potential future launch milestone payments to be received pursuant to the Janssen collaboration agreement that have been sold to a third party.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseValue of potential future launch milestone payments sold pursuant to the Janssen collaboration18false0vrtx_ProceedsFromSaleOfCollaborativeArrangementFutureMilestonePaymentsvrtxfalsedebitdurationThe cash inflow from the sale of potential future launch milestone payments receivable under the Janssen collaborative...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse3280000032800000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe cash inflow from the sale of potential future launch milestone payments receivable under the Janssen collaborative arrangement.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseProceeds from sale of potential future launch milestone payments pursuant to the Janssen collaboration19true0vrtx_ExpensesAndGainsLossesAbstractvrtxfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseExpenses and Losses (Gains):20false0us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebtus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse79340007934000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4truefalsefalse35830003583000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the portion of interest incurred in the period on debt arrangements that was charged against earnings.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 8 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 34 -Paragraph 21 falsefalseInterest expense related to 2012 Notes21false0us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeGainLossOnEmbeddedDerivativeNetus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse-1496000-1496000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4truefalsefalse320000320000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryNet increase (decrease) in the fair value of the embedded derivative or group of embedded derivatives included in earnings in the period.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 44A, 44B Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 12-16, 44A, 44B falsefalseChange in fair value of embedded derivative related to 2012 Notes22false0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeNetus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse70940007094000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4truefalsefalse11690001169000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of net gains and losses recognized in income during the period on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments in fair value hedges and related hedged items designated 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expenses.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse1353200013532000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4truefalsefalse50720005072000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe total September 2009 financial transaction expenses.No authoritative reference available.truefalseTotal September 2009 financial transaction expenses24true0us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseLiabilities:25false0us-gaap_SecuredDebtus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse8710900087109000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5truefalsefalse124902000124902000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryCarrying value as of the balance sheet date , including the current and noncurrent portions, of collateralized debt obligations (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer). Such obligations include mortgage loans, chattel loans, and any other borrowings secured by assets of the borrower.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 20, 22 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 16 -Article 9 falsefalse2012 Notes, excluding fair value of embedded derivative26false0us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeLiabilityus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse49910004991000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5truefalsefalse1208900012089000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFair value as of the balance sheet date of the embedded derivative or group of embedded derivatives classified as a liability.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 44A, 44B Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 12-16, 44A, 44B falsefalseEmbedded derivative related to 2012 Notes27false0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilitiesus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse8489300084893000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5truefalsefalse7779900077799000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFair values as of the balance sheet date of all liabilities resulting from contracts that meet the criteria of being accounted for as derivative instruments, net of the effects of master netting arrangements.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FIN39-1 -Paragraph 10A, 10B Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 4, 17 falsefalseLiability related to the sale of potential future milestone payments28false0vrtx_September2009FinancialTransactionLiabilitiesvrtxfalsecreditinstantThe total liabilities related to September 2009 financial transactions.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse176993000176993000falsetruefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5truefalsefalse214790000214790000falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe total liabilities related to September 2009 financial transactions.No authoritative reference available.truefalseTotal liabilities related to September 2009 financial transactions526September 2009 Financial Transactions (Details) (USD $)NoRoundingUnKnownUnKnownUnKnowntruetrue