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	(2,624)	(2,624)			(2,624)
Net loss	(419,696)	(387,454)				(387,454)	(32,242)
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans (shares)			2,578
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans	87,354	87,354	$ 21	87,333			0
Stock-based compensation expense	122,682	122,682		122,682			0
Noncontrolling interest upon consolidation	164,317						164,317
Balance (shares) at Jun. 30, 2015			244,342
Balance at Jun. 30, 2015	1,048,216	894,964	$ 2,406	5,987,169	(1,707)	(5,092,904)	153,252
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	(5,214)	(5,214)			(5,214)
Net loss	(72,253)	(106,156)				(106,156)	33,903
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans (shares)			1,397
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans	33,570	33,570	$ 13	33,557			0
Stock-based compensation expense	119,114	119,187		119,187			(73)
Balance (shares) at Jun. 30, 2016			247,704
Balance at Jun. 30, 2016	$ 1,168,845	$ 981,354	$ 2,440	$ 6,350,244	$ (3,390)	$ (5,367,940)	$ 187,491