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	594	594			594
Net loss	(513,512)	(482,603)				(482,603)	(30,909)
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans (shares)			3,882
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans	139,453	139,453	$ 34	139,419			0
Stock-based compensation expense	189,697	189,697		189,697			0
Noncontrolling interest upon consolidation	164,317						164,317
Balance (shares) at Sep. 30, 2015			245,646
Balance at Sep. 30, 2015	1,076,732	922,147	$ 2,419	6,106,270	1,511	(5,188,053)	154,585
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	(5,669)	(5,669)			(5,669)
Net loss	(111,790)	(144,997)				(144,997)	33,207
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans (shares)			1,722
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans	50,894	50,894	$ 19	50,875			0
Stock-based compensation expense	181,278	181,351		181,351			(73)
Balance (shares) at Sep. 30, 2016			248,029
Balance at Sep. 30, 2016	$ 1,208,341	$ 1,021,546	$ 2,446	$ 6,429,726	$ (3,845)	$ (5,406,781)	$ 186,795