Sale of HIV Protease Inhibitor Royalty Stream (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2008	Mar. 31, 2012
Sale of HIV Protease Inhibitor Royalty Stream
Gross proceeds from sale of royalty rights receivable from GlaxoSmithKline	$ 160.0
Deferred revenues related to the one-time cash payment agreement with GlaxoSmithKline		$ 90.7

This element represents the carrying value of deferred revenue recorded with regard to agreement to sell rights to receive royalty payments, as on the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

Name:	vrtx_DeferredRevenueRoyaltyPurchaseAgreement
Namespace Prefix:	vrtx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant