Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity and Noncontrolling Interest (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total		Total Vertex Shareholders' Equity	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Accumulated Deficit	Noncontrolling Interest (Alios)	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Alios)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	$ 1,096,346		$ 1,096,346	$ 1,982	$ 3,784,787	$ (640)	$ (2,689,783)	$ 0	$ 0
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2009				199,955
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on marketable securities, net of tax	46		46			46
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(473)		(473)			(473)
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders	(754,626)
Net income (loss)	(754,626)		(754,626)				(754,626)
Issuances of common stock:
Convertible senior subordinated notes (due 2013) conversion (shares)				1,386
Convertible senior subordinated notes (due 2013) conversion	31,565		31,565	14	31,551
Benefit plans (shares)	174			2,182
Benefit plans	39,991		39,991	20	39,971
Stock-based compensation expense	91,124		91,124		91,124
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	503,973		503,973	2,016	3,947,433	(1,067)	(3,444,409)	0	0
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2010				203,523
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on marketable securities, net of tax	(119)		(119)			(119)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	133		133			133
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders	29,574						29,574
Net income (loss)	41,179		29,574					11,605
Issuances of common stock:
Benefit plans (shares)	183			5,781
Benefit plans	133,393		133,418	56	133,362			(25)
Stock-based compensation expense	119,268		118,964		118,964			304
Tax benefit from equity compensation	900		900		900
Alios noncontrolling interest upon consolidation	130,486							130,486	36,299
Change in liquidation value of noncontrolling interest	(737)							(737)	737
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	928,476	[1]	786,843	2,072	4,200,659	(1,053)	(3,414,835)	141,633	37,036
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2011				209,304
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on marketable securities, net of tax	305		305			305
Foreign currency translation adjustment	198		198			198
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders	(107,032)						(107,032)
Net income (loss)	(51,135)		(107,032)					55,897
Issuances of common stock:
Benefit plans (shares)	242			7,983
Benefit plans	201,992		201,837	77	201,760			155
Stock-based compensation expense	115,539		115,058		115,058			481
Tax benefit from equity compensation	1,971		1,971		1,971
Change in liquidation value of noncontrolling interest	(1,494)							(1,494)	1,494
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 1,195,852	[1]	$ 999,180	$ 2,149	$ 4,519,448	$ (550)	$ (3,521,867)	$ 196,672	$ 38,530
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2012				217,287

[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.