Condensed 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, 2011	$ 928,476		$ 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	150		150			150
Foreign currency translation adjustment	275		275			275
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders	91,590						91,590
Net income (loss)	87,876		91,590					(3,714)
Issuances of common stock:
Benefit plans (shares)				1,559
Benefit plans	23,599		23,536	15	23,521			63
Stock-based compensation expense	27,938		27,877		27,877			61
Tax benefit from equity compensation	227		227		227			0
Change in liquidation value of noncontrolling interest	(460)							(460)	460
Balance at Mar. 31, 2012	1,068,081		930,498	2,087	4,252,284	(628)	(3,323,245)	137,583	37,496
Balance (shares) at Mar. 31, 2012				210,863
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
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on marketable securities, net of tax	11		11			11
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(610)		(610)			(610)
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders	(308,016)
Net income (loss)	(312,627)		(308,016)					(4,611)
Issuances of common stock:
Benefit plans (shares)				1,365
Benefit plans	24,102		24,099	11	24,088			3
Stock-based compensation expense	31,574		31,451		31,451			123
Change in liquidation value of noncontrolling interest	(342)							(342)	342
Balance at Mar. 31, 2013	$ 937,960	[1]	$ 746,115	$ 2,160	$ 4,574,987	$ (1,149)	$ (3,829,883)	$ 191,845	$ 38,872
Balance (shares) at Mar. 31, 2013				218,652

[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 C, "Collaborative Arrangements," to these condensed consolidated financial statements for amounts.