Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity and Noncontrolling Interest - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Total Vertex Shareholders' Equity	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Accumulated Deficit	Noncontrolling Interest
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2013			233,789
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 1,356,405	$ 1,356,405	$ 2,320	$ 5,321,286	$ (306)	$ (3,966,895)	$ 0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	1,223	1,223			1,223
Net (loss) income	(742,745)	(738,555)				(738,555)	(4,190)
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans (shares)			7,975
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans	274,808	274,808	$ 65	274,743
Stock-based compensation expense	178,965	178,965		178,965
Tax benefit from equity compensation	2,160	2,160		2,160
Noncontrolling interest upon consolidation	25,367						25,367
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	907	907			907
Net (loss) income	(588,181)	(556,334)				(556,334)	(31,847)
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans (shares)			4,543
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans	185,290	185,276	$ 42	185,234			14
Stock-based compensation expense	235,112	235,112		235,112
Tax benefit from equity compensation	0	0		0
Noncontrolling interest upon consolidation	164,317						164,317
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	1,093,628	939,967	$ 2,427	6,197,500	1,824	(5,261,784)	153,661
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2015			246,307
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	19,349	19,349			19,349
Net (loss) income	(84,031)	(112,052)				(112,052)	28,021
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans (shares)			1,994
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans	68,006	68,006	$ 23	67,983			0
Stock-based compensation expense	241,239	241,312		241,312			(73)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 1,338,191	$ 1,156,582	$ 2,450	$ 6,506,795	$ 21,173	$ (5,373,836)	$ 181,609
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2016			248,301