Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Basic net income (loss) attributable to Vertex per common share calculation:
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders	$ 158,629	$ 221,110	$ (174,069)	$ (176,096)	$ (180,392)	$ (208,957)	$ (200,006)	$ (165,271)	$ 29,574	$ (754,626)	$ (642,178)
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities									291
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders-basic									29,283	(754,626)	(642,178)
Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding	206,758	206,002	204,413	202,329	201,355	200,887	200,397	198,935	204,891	200,402	173,259
Basic net income (loss) attributable to Vertex per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.76	$ 1.06	$ (0.85)	$ (0.87)	$ (0.90)	$ (1.04)	$ (1.00)	$ (0.83)	$ 0.14	$ (3.77)	$ (3.71)
Diluted net income (loss) attributable to Vertex per common share calculation:
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders	158,629	221,110	(174,069)	(176,096)	(180,392)	(208,957)	(200,006)	(165,271)	29,574	(754,626)	(642,178)
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities									(285)
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders-diluted									$ 29,289	$ (754,626)	$ (642,178)
Weighted-average shares used to compute basic net income (loss) per common share (in shares)	206,758	206,002	204,413	202,329	201,355	200,887	200,397	198,935	204,891	200,402	173,259
Effect of potentially dilutive securities:
Stock Options									3,863
Other									53
Weighted-average shares used to compute diluted net income (loss) per common share (in shares)	217,602	219,349	204,413	202,329	201,355	200,887	200,397	198,935	208,807	200,402	173,259
Diluted net income (loss) attributable to Vertex per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.74	$ 1.02	$ (0.85)	$ (0.87)	$ (0.90)	$ (1.04)	$ (1.00)	$ (0.83)	$ 0.14	$ (3.77)	$ (3.71)
Stock options.
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)									9,626	21,293	19,232
Convertible senior subordinated notes.
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)									8,192	8,192	1,386
Unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)									8	1,950	1,727