Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Basic net income (loss) attributable to Vertex per common share calculation:
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders	$ (57,543)	$ 221,110	$ (30,884)	$ (129,055)
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities		(2,136)
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders-basic	(57,543)	218,974	(30,884)	(129,055)
Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding	213,767	206,002	211,053	204,262
Basic net income (loss) attributable to Vertex per common share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.27)	$ 1.06	$ (0.15)	$ (0.63)
Diluted net income (loss) attributable to Vertex per common share calculation:
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders	(57,543)	221,110	(30,884)	(129,055)
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities		(2,007)
Plus : Interest expense related to convertible senior subordinated notes		3,742
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders-diluted	$ (57,543)	$ 222,845	$ (30,884)	$ (129,055)
Weighted-average shares used to compute basic net income (loss) per common share	213,767	206,002	211,053	204,262
Effect of potentially dilutive securities:
Convertible senior subordinated notes (in shares)		8,889
Stock Options (in shares)		4,398
Other (in shares)		60
Weighted-average shares used to compute diluted net income (loss) per common share	213,767	219,349	211,053	204,262
Diluted net income (loss) attributable to Vertex per common share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.27)	$ 1.02	$ (0.15)	$ (0.63)
Stock options.
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	20,226	7,267	20,226	21,391
Convertible senior subordinated notes.
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	8,192		8,192	8,192
Unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	2,222	13	2,222	2,020