Revenue Recognition - Schedule of disaggregation of revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	$ 941,293	$ 752,157	$ 1,799,728	$ 1,392,956
United States
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	700,618	584,811	1,341,721	1,067,478
Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	180,196	135,914	347,947	267,809
Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	60,479	31,432	110,060	57,669
Total revenues outside of the United States
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	240,675	167,346	458,007	325,478
Product revenues, net
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	940,380	749,912	1,797,633	1,387,641
SYMDEKO
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	361,832	185,558	682,107	219,682
ORKAMBI
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	316,441	311,261	609,448	665,327
KALYDECO
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	$ 262,107	$ 253,093	$ 506,078	$ 502,632