Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity and Noncontrolling Interest (unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Total Vertex Shareholders’ Equity	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	Accumulated Deficit	Noncontrolling Interest
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2014			241,764
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 1,096,183	$ 1,075,006	$ 2,385	$ 5,777,154	$ 917	$ (4,705,450)	$ 21,177
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Other comprehensive loss, 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			0
Stock-based compensation expense	58,268	58,268		58,268			0
Balance (shares) at Mar. 31, 2015			243,580
Balance at Mar. 31, 2015	997,537	976,458	$ 2,399	5,877,324	791	(4,904,056)	21,079
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2015			246,307
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	1,093,628	939,967	$ 2,427	6,197,500	1,824	(5,261,784)	153,661
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(6,723)	(6,723)			(6,723)
Net loss	(36,102)	(41,631)				(41,631)	5,529
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans (shares)			980
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans	9,149	9,149	$ 2	9,147
Stock-based compensation expense	56,246	56,317		56,317			(71)
Balance (shares) at Mar. 31, 2016			247,287
Balance at Mar. 31, 2016	$ 1,116,198	$ 957,079	$ 2,429	$ 6,262,964	$ (4,899)	$ (5,303,415)	$ 159,119