Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared by Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated ("Vertex" or the "Company") in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). The condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the operations of (i) the Company and (ii) its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The condensed consolidated statements of operations in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q reflect the operations of Alios BioPharma, Inc. (“Alios”), as well as direct expenses Vertex incurred as a result of the Alios Agreement, as discontinued operations. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The Company operates in one segment, pharmaceuticals. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the Company's annual financial statements have been condensed or omitted. These interim financial statements, in the opinion of management, reflect all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the interim periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full fiscal year. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013, which are contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 that was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 11, 2014 (the "2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K").
Use of Estimates and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Use of Estimates and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements, and the amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods. Significant estimates in these condensed consolidated financial statements have been made in connection with the calculation of revenues, inventories, research and development expenses, stock-based compensation expense, restructuring expense, the fair value of intangible assets, noncontrolling interest (Alios), the consolidation and deconsolidation of a VIE, leases, discontinued operations presentation and the provision for or benefit from income taxes. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions, including in certain circumstances future projections, that management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Changes in estimates are reflected in reported results in the period in which they become known. The Company's significant accounting policies are described in Note A, "Nature of Business and Accounting Policies," in the 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements For a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements please refer to Note A, “Nature of Business and Accounting Policies—Recent Accounting Pronouncements,” in the 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company did not adopt any new accounting pronouncements during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 that had a material effect on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. In the second quarter of 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued amended guidance applicable to revenue recognition that will be effective for the Company for the year ending December 31, 2017. The new guidance must be adopted using either a full retrospective approach for all periods presented or a modified retrospective approach. Early adoption is not permitted. The new guidance applies a more principles-based approach to recognizing revenue. The Company is evaluating the new guidance and the expected effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.