Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
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, (ii) its wholly-owned subsidiaries and (iii) consolidated variable interest entities (VIEs). 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 June 30, 2016 and 2015. 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, 2015, which are contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 that was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 16, 2016 (the "2015 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, goodwill, contingent consideration, noncontrolling interest, the consolidation of VIEs, leases, the fair value of cash flow hedges 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.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements In 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued amended guidance applicable to leases that will be effective for the year ending December 31, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. This update requires an entity to recognize assets and liabilities for leases with lease terms of more than 12 months on the balance sheet. The Company is in the process of evaluating the new guidance and determining the expected effect on its consolidated financial statements. In 2016, the FASB issued amended guidance applicable to share-based compensation to employees that will be effective for the year ending December 31, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. This update simplifies the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. The Company is in the process of evaluating the new guidance and determining the expected effect on its consolidated financial statements. For a discussion of other recent accounting pronouncements please refer to Note A, “Nature of Business and Accounting Policies—Recent Accounting Pronouncements,” in the 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company did not adopt any new accounting pronouncements during the six months ended June 30, 2016 that had a material effect on its condensed consolidated financial statements.