Revenue Recognition - Schedule of disaggregation of revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	$ 858,435	$ 640,799
United States
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	641,104	482,667
Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	167,751	131,895
Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	49,580	26,237
Total revenues outside of the United States
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	217,331	158,132
Product revenues, net
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	857,253	637,729
SYMDEKO
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	320,275	34,124
ORKAMBI
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	293,007	354,066
KALYDECO
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	$ 243,971	$ 249,539