Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity and Noncontrolling Interest (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, 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				209,304,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on marketable securities, net of tax	255		255			255
Foreign currency translation adjustment	125		125			125
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders	26,659						26,659
Net income (loss)	53,408		26,659					26,749
Issuances of common stock:
Benefit plans (shares)				6,131,000
Benefit plans	163,477		163,332	61	163,271			145
Stock-based compensation expense	59,616		59,345		59,345			271
Tax benefit from equity compensation	1,214		1,214		1,214			0
Change in liquidation value of noncontrolling interest	(878)							(878)	878
Balance at Jun. 30, 2012	1,205,693		1,037,773	2,133	4,424,489	(673)	(3,388,176)	167,920	37,914
Balance (shares) at Jun. 30, 2012				215,435,000
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				217,287,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on marketable securities, net of tax	(159)		(159)			(159)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(521)		(521)			(521)
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders	(365,181)
Net income (loss)	(374,339)		(365,181)					(9,158)
Issuances of common stock:
Benefit plans (shares)				6,614,000
Benefit plans	213,729		213,801	68	213,733			(72)
Convertible senior subordinated notes (due 2015) conversion				8,276,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Convertible Securities	402,265		402,265	83	402,182			0
Stock-based compensation expense	73,306		73,068		73,068			238
Change in liquidation value of noncontrolling interest	(684)							(684)	684
Balance at Jun. 30, 2013	$ 1,509,449	[1]	$ 1,322,453	$ 2,300	$ 5,208,431	$ (1,230)	$ (3,887,048)	$ 186,996	$ 39,214
Balance (shares) at Jun. 30, 2013				232,177,000

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