Nature of Business and Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Activity related to product revenues allowances and reserve categories
Beginning Balance				$ 87,133,000				$ 75,393,000	$ 87,133,000	$ 75,393,000	$ 69,363,000
Provision related to current period sales									48,006,000	250,944,000	294,025,000
Adjustments related to prior period sales									3,270,000	19,738,000	5,482,000
Credits/payments made									(102,386,000)	(258,942,000)	(293,477,000)
Ending Balance	36,023,000				87,133,000				36,023,000	87,133,000	75,393,000	69,363,000
(Loss) income from continuing operations attributable to Vertex common shareholders	(176,656,000)	(170,060,000)	(159,382,000)	(232,457,000)	44,285,000	(124,132,000)	(57,165,000)	(308,016,000)	(738,555,000)	(445,028,000)	(107,032,000)
Basic EPS (usd per share)									$ (3.14)	$ (1.98)	$ (0.50)
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities	1,390,000,000								1,390,000,000
Gross product sales adjusted, related to prior period sales (percent)										0.30%	0.70%	1.30%
Percentage of employees eligible for acceleration of equity awards (percent)									5.00%
Trade Allowances
Activity related to product revenues allowances and reserve categories
Beginning Balance				1,535,000				5,416,000	1,535,000	5,416,000	11,162,000
Provision related to current period sales									8,468,000	31,395,000	55,913,000
Adjustments related to prior period sales									(43,000)	343,000	29,000
Credits/payments made									(8,497,000)	(35,619,000)	(61,688,000)
Ending Balance	1,463,000				1,535,000				1,463,000	1,535,000	5,416,000
Rebates, Chargebacks and Discounts
Activity related to product revenues allowances and reserve categories
Beginning Balance				68,244,000				63,560,000	68,244,000	63,560,000	52,659,000
Provision related to current period sales									35,713,000	204,459,000	216,942,000
Adjustments related to prior period sales									329,000	4,474,000	3,883,000
Credits/payments made									(75,184,000)	(204,249,000)	(209,924,000)
Ending Balance	29,102,000				68,244,000				29,102,000	68,244,000	63,560,000
Product Returns
Activity related to product revenues allowances and reserve categories
Beginning Balance				15,799,000				2,852,000	15,799,000	2,852,000	340,000
Provision related to current period sales									2,478,000	5,795,000	2,067,000
Adjustments related to prior period sales									3,056,000	15,149,000	1,498,000
Credits/payments made									(16,620,000)	(7,997,000)	(1,053,000)
Ending Balance	4,713,000				15,799,000				4,713,000	15,799,000	2,852,000
Other Incentives
Activity related to product revenues allowances and reserve categories
Beginning Balance				1,555,000				3,565,000	1,555,000	3,565,000	5,202,000
Provision related to current period sales									1,347,000	9,295,000	19,103,000
Adjustments related to prior period sales									(72,000)	(228,000)	72,000
Credits/payments made									(2,085,000)	(11,077,000)	(20,812,000)
Ending Balance	745,000				1,555,000				745,000	1,555,000	3,565,000
INCIVEK
Activity related to product revenues allowances and reserve categories
Revenue Recognition, Sales Rebates, Accrual for Rebates	$ 16,200,000