Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity and Noncontrolling Interest (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Total Vertex Shareholders' Equity	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Accumulated Deficit	Noncontrolling Interest
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 1,356,405	$ 1,356,405	$ 2,320	$ 5,321,286	$ (306)	$ (3,966,895)	$ 0
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2013			233,789
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	9	9			9
Net loss	(232,457)	(232,457)				(232,457)	0
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans (shares)			2,412
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans	60,134	60,134	14	60,120
Stock-based compensation	46,787	46,787		46,787
Balance at Mar. 31, 2014	1,230,878	1,230,878	2,334	5,428,193	(297)	(4,199,352)	0
Balance (shares) at Mar. 31, 2014			236,201
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	1,096,183	1,075,006	2,385	5,777,154	917	(4,705,450)	21,177
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2014			241,764
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	(126)	(126)			(126)
Net loss	(198,704)	(198,606)				(198,606)	(98)
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans (shares)			1,816
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans	41,916	41,916	14	41,902
Stock-based compensation	58,268	58,268		58,268
Balance at Mar. 31, 2015	$ 997,537	$ 976,458	$ 2,399	$ 5,877,324	$ 791	$ (4,904,056)	$ 21,079
Balance (shares) at Mar. 31, 2015			243,580