Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Reconciliation of financial liabilities measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Balance, at beginning of period	$ 89,888
Change in fair value of derivative instruments	15,933
Redemption of a portion of the 2012 notes	(5,602)
Balance, at ending of period	$ 100,219

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents total gains or losses for the period (realized and unrealized), arising from liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3), which are included in earnings or resulted in a change in net asset value.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 157

-Paragraph 32

-Subparagraph c(1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6925170&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents a liability measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) which is required for reconciliation purposes of beginning and ending balances.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6925170&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents redemption of a portion of the 2012 Notes, measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3).

+ Details

Name:	vrtx_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityRedemptionOfPortionOfEmbeddedDerivativeRelatedTo2012Notes
Namespace Prefix:	vrtx
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration