Net Income (Loss) Per Share Attributable to Vertex Common Shareholders (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Basic net income (loss) attributable to Vertex per common share calculation:
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders	$ (57,165)	$ (64,931)	$ (365,181)	$ 26,659
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	0	0	0	(260)
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders—basic	(57,165)	(64,931)	(365,181)	26,399
Weighted-average shares used to compute basic net income (loss) per common share (shares)	222,053	211,344	218,795	209,681
Basic net income (loss) attributable to Vertex per common share (usd per share)	$ (0.26)	$ (0.31)	$ (1.67)	$ 0.13
Diluted net income (loss) attributable to Vertex per common share calculation:
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders	(57,165)	(64,931)	(365,181)	26,659
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	0	0	0	(256)
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders—diluted	$ (57,165)	$ (64,931)	$ (365,181)	$ 26,403
Weighted-average shares used to compute basic net income (loss) per common share (shares)	222,053	211,344	218,795	209,681
Effect of potentially dilutive securities:
Stock options (shares)	0	0	0	3,188
Other (shares)	0	0	0	88
Weighted-average shares used to compute diluted net income (loss) per common share (shares)	222,053	211,344	218,795	212,957
Diluted net income (loss) attributable to Vertex per common share (usd per share)	$ (0.26)	$ (0.31)	$ (1.67)	$ 0.12
Stock options
Effect of potentially dilutive securities:
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	16,802	18,771	16,802	10,624
Convertible senior subordinated notes
Effect of potentially dilutive securities:
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	0	8,192	0	8,192
Unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units
Effect of potentially dilutive securities:
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	2,600	2,087	2,600	8