Name:	us-gaap_CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The aggregate costs incurred (1) in a planned search or critical investigation aimed at discovery of new knowledge with the hope that such knowledge will be useful in developing a new product or service, a new process or technique, or in bringing about a significant improvement to an existing product or process; or (2) to translate research findings or other knowledge into a plan or design for a new product or process or for a significant improvement to an existing product or process whether intended for sale or the entity's use, during the reporting period charged to research and development projects, including the costs of developing computer software up to the point in time of achieving technological feasibility, and costs allocated in accounting for a business combination to in-process projects deemed to have no alternative future use.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 912
-SubTopic 730
-Section 25
-Paragraph 1
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6472174&loc=d3e58812-109433

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 985
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6501960&loc=d3e128462-111756

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 730
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6420194&loc=d3e21568-108373

Name:	us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The amount of purchased research and development assets that are acquired in a business combination have no alternative future use and are therefore written off in the period of acquisition.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentInProcess
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The aggregate total costs related to selling a firm's product and services, as well as all other general and administrative expenses. Direct selling expenses (for example, credit, warranty, and advertising) are expenses that can be directly linked to the sale of specific products. Indirect selling expenses are expenses that cannot be directly linked to the sale of specific products, for example telephone expenses, Internet, and postal charges. General and administrative expenses include salaries of non-sales personnel, rent, utilities, communication, etc.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.4)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126953954&loc=SL114868664-224227

Name:	us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Collaborative Arrangement, Allocation Of Net Profits And Losses, Percent

No definition available.

Name:	vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementAllocationOfNetProfitsAndLossesPercent
Namespace Prefix:	vrtx_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Represents the potential milestone amount to be paid by the entity under the collaboration agreement if drug candidates are approved and commercialized.

No definition available.

Name:	vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementDevelopmentAndRegulatoryPotentialMilestonePaymentsMaximum
Namespace Prefix:	vrtx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Collaborative Arrangement, Right To License, Number Of Targets

No definition available.

Name:	vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementRightToLicenseNumberOfTargets
Namespace Prefix:	vrtx_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Collaborative Arrangement Up-front License Fee

No definition available.

Name:	vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementUpFrontLicenseFee
Namespace Prefix:	vrtx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Payment To Acquire Common Stock

No definition available.

Name:	vrtx_PaymentToAcquireCommonStock
Namespace Prefix:	vrtx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Name:	vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementsByAgreementAxis=vrtx_CRISPRTherapeuticsAGMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementsByAgreementAxis=vrtx_CRSIPRJDCAMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=vrtx_CRISPRMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	vrtx_CollaborativeArrangementsByAgreementAxis=vrtx_CRISPRT1DMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: