Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Revenues:
Product revenues, net	$ 303,501	$ 419,595	$ 1,052,149	$ 494,130
Royalty revenues	25,586	8,539	98,047	24,610
Collaborative revenues	6,919	231,066	42,852	328,546
Total revenues	336,006	659,200	1,193,048	847,286
Costs and expenses:
Cost of product revenues (Note H)	30,680	35,285	161,147	40,689
Royalty expenses	7,856	3,121	31,023	9,689
Research and development expenses	200,161	189,052	593,076	521,268
Sales, general and administrative expenses	97,684	110,654	326,344	278,840
Restructuring expense (credit)	696	(419)	1,650	1,082
Intangible asset impairment charge		105,800		105,800
Total costs and expenses	337,077	443,493	1,113,240	957,368
Income (loss) from operations	(1,071)	215,707	79,808	(110,082)
Interest income	519	77	1,443	1,681
Interest expense	(4,560)	(7,059)	(12,860)	(26,022)
Change in fair value of derivative instruments		(8,115)		(15,933)
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes	(5,112)	200,610	68,391	(150,356)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	21,355	(27,842)	41,450	(3,394)
Net income (loss)	(26,467)	228,452	26,941	(146,962)
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest (Alios)	(31,076)	(7,342)	(57,825)	17,907
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex	$ (57,543)	$ 221,110	$ (30,884)	$ (129,055)
Net income (loss) per share attributable to Vertex common shareholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.27)	$ 1.06	$ (0.15)	$ (0.63)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.27)	$ 1.02	$ (0.15)	$ (0.63)
Shares used in per share calculations:
Basic (in shares)	213,767	206,002	211,053	204,262
Diluted (in shares)	213,767	219,349	211,053	204,262