Fair Value Measurements (Details 2) (USD $)					1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes 3.35 Percent Due 2015	Dec. 31, 2012 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes 3.35 Percent Due 2015	Sep. 30, 2011 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes 3.35 Percent Due 2015
Debt Offerings, Fair Value Disclosure
Convertible senior subordinated notes (due 2015)	$ 400,000,000	[1]	$ 400,000,000	[1]	$ 400,000,000		$ 400,000,000
Interest rate (as a percent)					3.35%	3.35%
Fair value of convertible senior subordinated notes						$ 444,000,000

[1] Amounts include the assets and liabilities of Vertex’s variable interest entity (“VIE”), Alios BioPharma, Inc. (“Alios”). Vertex’s interests and obligations with respect to the VIE’s assets and liabilities are limited to those accorded to Vertex in its agreement with Alios. See Note B, "Collaborative Arrangements," to these consolidated financial statements for amounts.