Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Basic net income (loss) attributable to Vertex per common share calculation:
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders	$ 91,590	$ (176,096)
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	(906)
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders-basic	90,684	(176,096)
Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding	208,018	202,329
Basic net income (loss) attributable to Vertex per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.44	$ (0.87)
Diluted net income (loss) attributable to Vertex per common share calculation:
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders	91,590	(176,096)
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	(860)
Plus: Interest expense and amortization of deferred issuance costs related to convertible senior subordinated notes	3,749
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders-diluted	$ 94,479	$ (176,096)
Weighted-average shares used to compute basic net income (loss) per common share (in shares)	208,018	202,329
Effect of potentially dilutive securities:
Convertible senior subordinated notes	8,891
Stock Options	2,289
Other	66
Weighted-average shares used to compute diluted net income (loss) per common share (in shares)	219,264	202,329
Diluted net income (loss) attributable to Vertex per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.43	$ (0.87)
Stock options.
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	13,768	22,453
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
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)	16	2,206