Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 25, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS INC / MA
Entity Central Index Key	0000875320
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2014
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (shares)		236,194,337