Employee Benefits (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Employee Benefits
Maximum percentage of annual compensation contributed by the participant	60.00%
Common stock shares remained available for grant	96,000
Matching contributions to the Vertex 401(k) Plan:
Discretionary matching contributions during the year ended December 31	$ 8,619	$ 6,552	$ 6,044
Shares issued during the year ended December 31	183,000	174,000	198,000
Shares issuable as of the year ended December 31	62,000	42,000	35,000

Name:	us-gaap_CompensationAndRetirementDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedContributionPensionAndOtherPostretirementPlansDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of the cost recognized during the period for defined contribution plans.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 11

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 70

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6414718&loc=d3e28014-114942

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of shares issued during the period to an employee benefit plan, such as a defined contribution or defined benefit plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeBenefitPlan
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the number of shares available for grant under 401(k) retirement plan during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vrtx_DefinedContributionPlanNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
Namespace Prefix:	vrtx_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The maximum percentage of compensation that can be contributed by employees into the 401(k) retirement plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vrtx_MaximumDefinedContributionPlanEmployeeContributionPercentageOfCompensation
Namespace Prefix:	vrtx_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents shares issuable under 401(k) retirement plan as of period end.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vrtx_StockIssuableAtPeriodEndUnder401KRetirementPlan
Namespace Prefix:	vrtx_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant