$VRTX
VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS INC / MA Stock $vrtx

$vrtx Overview Financials Valuation SEC Filings Company Website

2019 Q1 Form 10-K Financial Statement

#000087532020000007 Filed on February 13, 2020

Income Statement

Concept	2019 Q1	2019	2018 Q4
Revenue	$858.4M	$4.163B	$870.1M
YoY Change	33.96%	36.59%	33.53%
Cost Of Revenue	$95.09M	$547.8M	$122.3M
YoY Change	32.79%	33.76%	45.49%
Gross Profit	$763.3M	$3.615B	$747.8M
YoY Change	34.11%	37.03%	31.75%
Gross Profit Margin	88.92%	86.84%	85.95%
Selling, General & Admin	$147.0M	$658.5M	$153.2M
YoY Change	13.28%	18.09%	13.66%
% of Gross Profit	19.26%	18.22%	20.49%
Research & Development	$339.5M	$1.755B	$437.9M
YoY Change	9.32%	23.86%	42.79%
% of Gross Profit	44.47%	48.53%	58.55%
Depreciation & Amortization	$27.14M	$106.9M	$18.80M
YoY Change	66.06%	47.61%	14.63%
% of Gross Profit	3.56%	2.96%	2.51%
Operating Expenses	$486.5M	$2.413B	$591.1M
YoY Change	10.49%	22.23%	33.9%
Operating Profit	$276.8M	$1.198B	$127.7M
YoY Change	114.74%	88.54%	1.58%
Interest Expense	$14.87M	$58.50M	$18.74M
YoY Change	-11.95%	-19.28%	-249.39%
% of Operating Profit	5.37%	4.89%	14.68%
Other Income/Expense, Net	$42.61M	$192.2M	-$90.45M
YoY Change	-56.0%	-24429.11%	11992.51%
Pretax Income	$320.2M	$1.395B	$32.50M
YoY Change	49.16%	71.77%	-71.1%
Income Tax	$51.53M	$218.1M	-$1.493B
% Of Pretax Income	16.1%	15.64%	-4593.04%
Net Earnings	$268.6M	$1.177B	$1.551B
YoY Change	27.76%	-43.88%	1439.99%
Net Earnings / Revenue	31.29%	28.27%	178.2%
Basic Earnings Per Share	$1.05	$4.58	$6.08
Diluted Earnings Per Share	$1.03	$4.51	$5.97
COMMON SHARES
Basic Shares Outstanding	255.7M shares	256.7M shares	254.9M shares
Diluted Shares Outstanding	260.2M shares	260.7M shares	259.8M shares

Balance Sheet

Concept	2019 Q1	2019	2018 Q4
SHORT-TERM ASSETS
Cash & Short-Term Investments	$3.478B	$3.808B	$3.168B
YoY Change	40.41%	20.2%	51.65%
Cash & Equivalents	$2.894B	$3.109B	$2.650B
Short-Term Investments	$584.0M	$699.0M	$518.0M
Other Short-Term Assets	$130.0M	$214.0M	$61.59M
YoY Change	9.24%	57.35%	-18.68%
Inventory	$136.7M	$168.0M	$124.4M
Prepaid Expenses			$74.05M
Receivables	$438.3M	$634.0M	$409.7M
Other Receivables	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Total Short-Term Assets	$4.183B	$4.823B	$3.843B
YoY Change	37.55%	25.5%	45.08%
LONG-TERM ASSETS
Property, Plant & Equipment	$758.1M	$833.0M	$812.0M
YoY Change	-5.32%	2.59%	2.86%
Goodwill	$50.38M		$50.40M
YoY Change	-0.03%		0.0%
Intangibles			$0.00
YoY Change
Long-Term Investments
YoY Change
Other Assets	$39.04M	$1.260B	$40.73M
YoY Change	22.75%	-18.18%	48.66%
Total Long-Term Assets	$2.079B	$3.495B	$2.403B
YoY Change	301.71%	45.44%	167.85%
TOTAL ASSETS
Total Short-Term Assets	$4.183B	$4.823B	$3.843B
Total Long-Term Assets	$2.079B	$3.495B	$2.403B
Total Assets	$6.262B	$8.318B	$6.246B
YoY Change	75.96%	33.17%	76.14%
SHORT-TERM LIABILITIES
YoY Change
Accounts Payable	$82.26M	$88.00M	$111.0M
YoY Change	11.07%	-20.72%	49.99%
Accrued Expenses	$532.7M	$1.056B	$958.9M
YoY Change	17.72%	74.83%	115.99%
Deferred Revenue
YoY Change
Short-Term Debt	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
YoY Change
Long-Term Debt Due	$36.00M	$30.00M	$10.00M
YoY Change	111.76%	200.0%	-56.52%
Total Short-Term Liabilities	$1.106B	$1.335B	$1.120B
YoY Change	33.74%	19.2%	38.78%
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Long-Term Debt	$560.0M	$539.0M	$582.0M
YoY Change	-3.11%	-7.39%	-0.34%
Other Long-Term Liabilities	$70.23M	$360.0M	$108.9M
YoY Change	155.72%	230.28%	291.92%
Total Long-Term Liabilities	$70.23M	$899.0M	$108.9M
YoY Change	155.72%	30.1%	291.92%
TOTAL LIABILITIES
Total Short-Term Liabilities	$1.106B	$1.335B	$1.120B
Total Long-Term Liabilities	$70.23M	$899.0M	$108.9M
Total Liabilities	$1.820B	$2.233B	$1.811B
YoY Change	19.55%	23.3%	20.42%
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
Retained Earnings	-$3.030B		-$2.989B
YoY Change	-40.73%		-41.61%
Common Stock	$7.478B		$7.424B
YoY Change	2.21%		3.69%
Preferred Stock
YoY Change
Treasury Stock (at cost)
YoY Change
Treasury Stock Shares
Shareholders Equity	$4.723B	$6.085B	$4.435B
YoY Change
Total Liabilities & Shareholders Equity	$6.262B	$8.318B	$6.246B
YoY Change	75.96%	33.17%	76.14%

Cashflow Statement

Concept	2019 Q1	2019	2018 Q4
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Income	$268.6M	$1.177B	$1.551B
YoY Change	27.76%	-43.88%	1439.99%
Depreciation, Depletion And Amortization	$27.14M	$106.9M	$18.80M
YoY Change	66.06%	47.61%	14.63%
Cash From Operating Activities	$324.8M	$1.569B	$314.6M
YoY Change	28.55%	23.54%	38.29%
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital Expenditures	$18.04M	$75.40M	-$15.70M
YoY Change	-38.38%	-21.0%	-63.49%
Acquisitions		$1.154B
YoY Change
Other Investing Activities	-$21.10M	$0.00	-$25.10M
YoY Change	-161.7%	-100.0%	-213.06%
Cash From Investing Activities	-$39.14M	-$1.235B	-$40.90M
YoY Change	-893.39%	511.06%	96.63%
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Cash Dividend Paid
YoY Change
Common Stock Issuance & Retirement, Net	$94.01M	$186.0M
YoY Change	840.07%	-46.86%
Debt Paid & Issued, Net
YoY Change
Cash From Financing Activities	-$41.99M	$126.8M	-101.0M
YoY Change	-153.18%	-278.04%	-237.98%
NET CHANGE
Cash From Operating Activities	$324.8M	$1.569B	314.6M
Cash From Investing Activities	-$39.14M	-$1.235B	-40.90M
Cash From Financing Activities	-$41.99M	$126.8M	-101.0M
Net Change In Cash	$243.3M	$462.4M	172.7M
YoY Change	-28.07%	-53.33%	-38.3%
FREE CASH FLOW
Cash From Operating Activities	$324.8M	$1.569B	$314.6M
Capital Expenditures	$18.04M	$75.40M	-$15.70M
Free Cash Flow	$306.7M	$1.494B	$330.3M
YoY Change	37.32%	27.16%	22.11%

Facts In Submission

Frame	Concept Type	Concept / XBRL Key	Value	Unit
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CY2019	dei	Current Fiscal Year End Date CurrentFiscalYearEndDate	--12-31
CY2019	dei	Document Fiscal Period Focus DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus	FY
CY2019	dei	Document Fiscal Year Focus DocumentFiscalYearFocus	2019
CY2019	dei	Entity Central Index Key EntityCentralIndexKey	0000875320
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CY2019	dei	Entity Registrant Name EntityRegistrantName	VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS INC / MA
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CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare	0.01
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CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Issued CommonStockSharesIssued	255172000	shares
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Issued CommonStockSharesIssued	258993000	shares
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Outstanding CommonStockSharesOutstanding	258993000	shares
CY2019	us-gaap	Derivative Term Of Contract DerivativeTermOfContract	P1M
CY2017	us-gaap	Impairment Of Investments ImpairmentOfInvestments	0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Impairment Of Investments ImpairmentOfInvestments	0	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Impairment Of Investments ImpairmentOfInvestments	0	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss After Reclassification Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossAfterReclassificationTax	7000000	USD
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CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Gain Loss On Derivatives Arising During Period Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodTax	-7100000	USD
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CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Preferred Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare	0.01
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CY2017	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Available For Sale Securities Debt ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebt	0	USD
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CY2019	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Available For Sale Securities Debt ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebt	0	USD
CY2018Q4	vrtx	Contingent Liabilities ContingentLiabilities	0.0	USD
CY2019	dei	Document Type DocumentType	10-K
CY2019	dei	Document Annual Report DocumentAnnualReport	true
CY2019	dei	Document Period End Date DocumentPeriodEndDate	2019-12-31
CY2019	dei	Document Transition Report DocumentTransitionReport	false
CY2019	dei	Entity File Number EntityFileNumber	000-19319
CY2019	dei	Entity Incorporation State Country Code EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode	MA
CY2019	dei	Entity Address Address Line1 EntityAddressAddressLine1	50 Northern Avenue
CY2019	dei	Entity Address City Or Town EntityAddressCityOrTown	Boston
CY2019	dei	Entity Address State Or Province EntityAddressStateOrProvince	MA
CY2019	dei	Entity Tax Identification Number EntityTaxIdentificationNumber	04-3039129
CY2019	dei	Entity Current Reporting Status EntityCurrentReportingStatus	Yes
CY2019	dei	Entity Address Postal Zip Code EntityAddressPostalZipCode	02210
CY2019	dei	City Area Code CityAreaCode	617
CY2019	dei	Local Phone Number LocalPhoneNumber	341-6100
CY2019	dei	Security12b Title Security12bTitle	Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value Per Share
CY2019	dei	Trading Symbol TradingSymbol	VRTX
CY2019	dei	Security Exchange Name SecurityExchangeName	NASDAQ
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CY2019	dei	Entity Voluntary Filers EntityVoluntaryFilers	No
CY2019	dei	Entity Interactive Data Current EntityInteractiveDataCurrent	Yes
CY2019	dei	Entity Filer Category EntityFilerCategory	Large Accelerated Filer
CY2019	dei	Entity Small Business EntitySmallBusiness	false
CY2019	dei	Entity Emerging Growth Company EntityEmergingGrowthCompany	false
CY2019	dei	Entity Shell Company EntityShellCompany	false
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CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Assets Current AssetsCurrent	3843109000	USD
CY2019Q4	vrtx	Property Plant And Equipment And Finance Lease Rightof Use Asset After Accumulated Depreciation And Amortization PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightofUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization	745080000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Net PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet	812005000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Goodwill Goodwill	1002158000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Goodwill Goodwill	50384000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Intangible Assets Net Excluding Goodwill IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill	400000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Intangible Assets Net Excluding Goodwill IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill	0	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Income Tax Assets Net DeferredIncomeTaxAssetsNet	1190815000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Income Tax Assets Net DeferredIncomeTaxAssetsNet	1499672000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Other Assets Noncurrent OtherAssetsNoncurrent	157583000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Other Assets Noncurrent OtherAssetsNoncurrent	40728000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Assets Assets	8318465000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Assets Assets	6245898000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Accounts Payable Current AccountsPayableCurrent	87610000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Accounts Payable Current AccountsPayableCurrent	110987000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Accrued Liabilities Current AccruedLiabilitiesCurrent	1116912000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Accrued Liabilities Current AccruedLiabilitiesCurrent	958899000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Other Liabilities Current OtherLiabilitiesCurrent	130305000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Other Liabilities Current OtherLiabilitiesCurrent	50406000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities Current LiabilitiesCurrent	1334827000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities Current LiabilitiesCurrent	1120292000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Finance Lease Liability Noncurrent FinanceLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent	538576000	USD
CY2018Q4	vrtx	Capital Lease Obligationand Construction Financing Obligation Noncurrent CapitalLeaseObligationandConstructionFinancingObligationNoncurrent	581550000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Business Combination Contingent Consideration Liability Noncurrent BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiabilityNoncurrent	176500000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Business Combination Contingent Consideration Liability Noncurrent BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiabilityNoncurrent	0	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Other Liabilities Noncurrent OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent	183318000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Other Liabilities Noncurrent OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent	108853000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities Liabilities	2233221000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities Liabilities	1810695000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Commitments And Contingencies CommitmentsAndContingencies	0	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Commitments And Contingencies CommitmentsAndContingencies	0	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Preferred Stock Value PreferredStockValue	0	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Preferred Stock Value PreferredStockValue	0	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Value CommonStockValue	2589000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Value CommonStockValue	2546000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Additional Paid In Capital Common Stock AdditionalPaidInCapitalCommonStock	7937606000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Additional Paid In Capital Common Stock AdditionalPaidInCapitalCommonStock	7421476000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	-1973000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	659000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit	-1852978000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit	-2989478000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	6085244000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	4435203000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities And Stockholders Equity LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity	8318465000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities And Stockholders Equity LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity	6245898000	USD
CY2016Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	1338191000	USD
CY2017Q1	us-gaap	Cumulative Effect Of New Accounting Principle In Period Of Adoption CumulativeEffectOfNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoption	0	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	-32745000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	91635000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Stock Issued During Period Value Employee Benefit Plan StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueEmployeeBenefitPlan	345673000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Sharebased Compensation Requisite Service Period Recognition Value AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue	295642000	USD
CY2017	vrtx	Noncontrolling Interest Increase Decrease From Deconsolidation Variable Interest Entity NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseDecreaseFromDeconsolidationVariableInterestEntity	3910000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	2042306000	USD
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Cumulative Effect Of New Accounting Principle In Period Of Adoption CumulativeEffectOfNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoption	9229000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	36351000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	2087103000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Stock Repurchased During Period Value StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue	350043000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Stock Issued During Period Value Employee Benefit Plan StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueEmployeeBenefitPlan	288535000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Sharebased Compensation Requisite Service Period Recognition Value AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue	325656000	USD
CY2018	vrtx	Noncontrolling Interest Increase Decrease From Deconsolidation Variable Interest Entity NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseDecreaseFromDeconsolidationVariableInterestEntity	-3540000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity Other StockholdersEquityOther	394000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	4435203000	USD
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Cumulative Effect Of New Accounting Principle In Period Of Adoption CumulativeEffectOfNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoption	-40310000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	-2632000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	1176810000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Stock Repurchased During Period Value StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue	192015000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Stock Issued During Period Value Employee Benefit Plan StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueEmployeeBenefitPlan	345979000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Sharebased Compensation Requisite Service Period Recognition Value AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue	362209000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	6085244000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	1176810000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	2087103000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	91635000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation ShareBasedCompensation	360489000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation ShareBasedCompensation	325047000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation ShareBasedCompensation	293236000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Depreciation Depletion And Amortization DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization	106941000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Depreciation Depletion And Amortization DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization	72420000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Depreciation Depletion And Amortization DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization	61397000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Deferred Liability IncreaseDecreaseInOtherDeferredLiability	167387000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Deferred Liability IncreaseDecreaseInOtherDeferredLiability	-1512325000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Deferred Liability IncreaseDecreaseInOtherDeferredLiability	-120513000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Equity Securities Fv Ni Unrealized Gain Loss EquitySecuritiesFvNiUnrealizedGainLoss	197597000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Equity Securities Fv Ni Unrealized Gain Loss EquitySecuritiesFvNiUnrealizedGainLoss	2558000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Equity Securities Fv Ni Unrealized Gain Loss EquitySecuritiesFvNiUnrealizedGainLoss	0	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Business Combination Contingent Consideration Arrangements Change In Amount Of Contingent Consideration Liability1 BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsChangeInAmountOfContingentConsiderationLiability1	4459000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Business Combination Contingent Consideration Arrangements Change In Amount Of Contingent Consideration Liability1 BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsChangeInAmountOfContingentConsiderationLiability1	0	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Business Combination Contingent Consideration Arrangements Change In Amount Of Contingent Consideration Liability1 BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsChangeInAmountOfContingentConsiderationLiability1	0	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Impairment Of Intangible Assets Indefinitelived Excluding Goodwill ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsIndefinitelivedExcludingGoodwill	0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Impairment Of Intangible Assets Indefinitelived Excluding Goodwill ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsIndefinitelivedExcludingGoodwill	29000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Impairment Of Intangible Assets Indefinitelived Excluding Goodwill ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsIndefinitelivedExcludingGoodwill	255340000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Research And Development In Process ResearchAndDevelopmentInProcess	0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Research And Development In Process ResearchAndDevelopmentInProcess	0	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Research And Development In Process ResearchAndDevelopmentInProcess	160000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Sale Of Investments GainLossOnSaleOfInvestments	0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Sale Of Investments GainLossOnSaleOfInvestments	-1077000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Sale Of Investments GainLossOnSaleOfInvestments	-76644000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Noncash Income Expense OtherNoncashIncomeExpense	-16942000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Noncash Income Expense OtherNoncashIncomeExpense	-32502000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Other Noncash Income Expense OtherNoncashIncomeExpense	-14439000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accounts Receivable IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable	225587000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accounts Receivable IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable	108152000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accounts Receivable IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable	71759000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Inventories IncreaseDecreaseInInventories	64047000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Inventories IncreaseDecreaseInInventories	31965000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Inventories IncreaseDecreaseInInventories	47484000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Prepaid Deferred Expense And Other Assets IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidDeferredExpenseAndOtherAssets	-35440000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Prepaid Deferred Expense And Other Assets IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidDeferredExpenseAndOtherAssets	-16684000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Prepaid Deferred Expense And Other Assets IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidDeferredExpenseAndOtherAssets	111063000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayable	-22785000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayable	36554000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayable	8753000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accrued Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedLiabilities	172881000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accrued Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedLiabilities	302755000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accrued Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedLiabilities	255178000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Operating Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities	37997000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Operating Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities	22144000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Operating Liabilities IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities	-20861000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities	1569330000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities	1270286000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities	844942000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Businesses Net Of Cash Acquired PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired	1154212000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Businesses Net Of Cash Acquired PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired	0	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Businesses Net Of Cash Acquired PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired	0	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Available For Sale Securities Debt PaymentsToAcquireAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebt	537196000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Available For Sale Securities Debt PaymentsToAcquireAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebt	431918000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Available For Sale Securities PaymentsToAcquireAvailableForSaleSecurities	532581000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale And Maturity Of Available For Sale Securities ProceedsFromSaleAndMaturityOfAvailableForSaleSecurities	475924000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale And Maturity Of Available For Sale Securities ProceedsFromSaleAndMaturityOfAvailableForSaleSecurities	431576000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale And Maturity Of Available For Sale Securities ProceedsFromSaleAndMaturityOfAvailableForSaleSecurities	369214000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Trading Securities Heldforinvestment ProceedsFromSaleOfTradingSecuritiesHeldforinvestment	94936000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Trading Securities Heldforinvestment ProceedsFromSaleOfTradingSecuritiesHeldforinvestment	0	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Trading Securities Heldforinvestment ProceedsFromSaleOfTradingSecuritiesHeldforinvestment	0	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment	75451000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment	95524000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment	99421000	USD
CY2019	vrtx	Paymentto Acquire Preferred Stock PaymenttoAcquirePreferredStock	39319000	USD
CY2018	vrtx	Paymentto Acquire Preferred Stock PaymenttoAcquirePreferredStock	83471000	USD
CY2017	vrtx	Paymentto Acquire Preferred Stock PaymenttoAcquirePreferredStock	0	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Notes Receivable PaymentsToAcquireNotesReceivable	0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Notes Receivable PaymentsToAcquireNotesReceivable	15000000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Notes Receivable PaymentsToAcquireNotesReceivable	0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Restricted Cash And Investments IncreaseDecreaseInRestrictedCashAndInvestments	7896000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Restricted Cash And Investments IncreaseDecreaseInRestrictedCashAndInvestments	61602000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire In Process Research And Development PaymentsToAcquireInProcessResearchAndDevelopment	0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire In Process Research And Development PaymentsToAcquireInProcessResearchAndDevelopment	0	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire In Process Research And Development PaymentsToAcquireInProcessResearchAndDevelopment	160000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities	0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities	-75000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities	-1061000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities	-1235318000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities	-202158000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities	-483329000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Shares Under Incentive And Share Based Compensation Plans Including Stock Options ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSharesUnderIncentiveAndShareBasedCompensationPlansIncludingStockOptions	343244000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Shares Under Incentive And Share Based Compensation Plans Including Stock Options ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSharesUnderIncentiveAndShareBasedCompensationPlansIncludingStockOptions	289293000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Shares Under Incentive And Share Based Compensation Plans Including Stock Options ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSharesUnderIncentiveAndShareBasedCompensationPlansIncludingStockOptions	344840000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Payments For Repurchase Of Common Stock PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock	192015000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Payments For Repurchase Of Common Stock PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock	350043000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Payments For Repurchase Of Common Stock PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock	0	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Finance Lease Principal Payments FinanceLeasePrincipalPayments	39185000	USD
CY2019	vrtx	Proceeds From Collaborative Funding ProceedsFromCollaborativeFunding	12500000	USD
CY2018	vrtx	Proceeds From Collaborative Funding ProceedsFromCollaborativeFunding	7500000	USD
CY2017	vrtx	Proceeds From Collaborative Funding ProceedsFromCollaborativeFunding	12500000	USD
CY2019	vrtx	Proceeds On Construction Capital Lease Obligations ProceedsOnConstructionCapitalLeaseObligations	10046000	USD
CY2018	vrtx	Proceeds On Construction Capital Lease Obligations ProceedsOnConstructionCapitalLeaseObligations	20840000	USD
CY2017	vrtx	Proceeds On Construction Capital Lease Obligations ProceedsOnConstructionCapitalLeaseObligations	34666000	USD
CY2019	vrtx	Repaymentsof Collaborative Funding RepaymentsofCollaborativeFunding	5866000	USD
CY2018	vrtx	Repaymentsof Collaborative Funding RepaymentsofCollaborativeFunding	5027000	USD
CY2017	vrtx	Repaymentsof Collaborative Funding RepaymentsofCollaborativeFunding	4266000	USD
CY2019	vrtx	Paymentson Construction Financing Lease Obligations PaymentsonConstructionFinancingLeaseObligations	0	USD
CY2018	vrtx	Paymentson Construction Financing Lease Obligations PaymentsonConstructionFinancingLeaseObligations	33388000	USD
CY2017	vrtx	Paymentson Construction Financing Lease Obligations PaymentsonConstructionFinancingLeaseObligations	19336000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Repayments Of Lines Of Credit RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit	0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Repayments Of Lines Of Credit RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit	0	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Repayments Of Lines Of Credit RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit	300000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Proceeds From Payments For Other Financing Activities ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities	-1951000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Proceeds From Payments For Other Financing Activities ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities	-394000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Proceeds From Payments For Other Financing Activities ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities	0	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities	126773000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities	-71219000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities	68404000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	1643000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	-6182000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	5802000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Including Exchange Rate Effect CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect	462428000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Including Exchange Rate Effect CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect	990727000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Including Exchange Rate Effect CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect	435819000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	2658253000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	1667526000	USD
CY2016Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	1231707000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	3120681000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	2658253000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	1667526000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Interest Paid Net InterestPaidNet	55554000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Interest Paid Net InterestPaidNet	66458000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Interest Paid Net InterestPaidNet	68696000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Taxes Paid Net IncomeTaxesPaidNet	24730000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Taxes Paid Net IncomeTaxesPaidNet	12402000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Taxes Paid Net IncomeTaxesPaidNet	6414000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Noncash Or Part Noncash Acquisition Fixed Assets Acquired1 NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionFixedAssetsAcquired1	0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Noncash Or Part Noncash Acquisition Fixed Assets Acquired1 NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionFixedAssetsAcquired1	3389000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Noncash Or Part Noncash Acquisition Fixed Assets Acquired1 NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionFixedAssetsAcquired1	40855000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Conversion Of Stock Amount Issued1 ConversionOfStockAmountIssued1	2820000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Conversion Of Stock Amount Issued1 ConversionOfStockAmountIssued1	86000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Conversion Of Stock Amount Issued1 ConversionOfStockAmountIssued1	844000	USD
CY2019Q4	vrtx	Cash Cash Equivalents And Marketable Securities CashCashEquivalentsAndMarketableSecurities	3800000000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Number Of Operating Segments NumberOfOperatingSegments	1	segment
CY2019	us-gaap	Use Of Estimates UseOfEstimates	<div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:12px;padding-top:0px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none;">Use of Estimates</span></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:12px;padding-top:0px;text-align:left;text-indent:24px;font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods. Significant estimates in these consolidated financial statements have been made in connection with (i) determining the transaction price of revenues, (ii) accounting for acquisitions, including intangible assets, goodwill and contingent consideration and (iii) evaluating deferred tax asset valuation allowances and the provision for income taxes. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions, including in certain circumstances future projections that management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Changes in estimates are reflected in reported results in the period in which they become known.</span></div>
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Contract With Customer Liability ContractWithCustomerLiability	62300000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Contract With Customer Liability ContractWithCustomerLiability	24900000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Contract With Customer Liability Revenue Recognized ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized	24900000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Concentration Risk Credit Risk ConcentrationRiskCreditRisk	<div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:12px;padding-top:0px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none;">Concentration of Credit Risk</span></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:12px;padding-top:0px;text-align:left;text-indent:24px;font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist principally of money market funds and marketable securities. The Company places these investments with highly rated financial institutions, and, by policy, limits the amounts of credit exposure to any one financial institution. These amounts at times may exceed federally insured limits. The Company also maintains a foreign currency hedging program that includes foreign currency forward contracts with several counterparties. The Company has not experienced any credit losses related to these financial instruments and does not believe it is exposed to any significant credit risk related to these instruments. </span></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:12px;padding-top:0px;text-align:left;text-indent:24px;font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The Company also is subject to credit risk from its accounts receivable related to its product sales and collaborators. The Company evaluates the creditworthiness of each of its customers and has determined that all of its material customers are </span></div><span style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">creditworthy. To date, the Company has not experienced significant losses with respect to the collection of its accounts receivable. The Company believes that its allowance for doubtful accounts was adequate at </span><span style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">December 31, 2019</span>.
CY2019	vrtx	Percentageofemployeeseligibleforaccelerationofequityawards Percentageofemployeeseligibleforaccelerationofequityawards	0.05
CY2018	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	8.24
CY2019	us-gaap	Foreign Currency Transaction Gain Loss Before Tax ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax	-5200000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Foreign Currency Transaction Gain Loss Before Tax ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax	-1100000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Foreign Currency Transaction Gain Loss Before Tax ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax	-5500000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	8.09
CY2019	us-gaap	Unrealized Gain Loss On Investments UnrealizedGainLossOnInvestments	132500000	USD
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Lessee Finance Lease Term Of Contract1 LesseeFinanceLeaseTermOfContract1	P15Y
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Prepaid Expense And Other Assets Current PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssetsCurrent	137889000	USD
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Net PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet	758085000	USD
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Deferred Income Tax Assets Net DeferredIncomeTaxAssetsNet	1510908000	USD
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Other Assets OtherAssets	61674000	USD
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Assets Assets	6261958000	USD
CY2019Q1	vrtx	Other Liabilities Excluding Capital Lease Obligations Current OtherLiabilitiesExcludingCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent	74893000	USD
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Finance Lease Liability Noncurrent FinanceLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent	569487000	USD
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Other Liabilities Noncurrent OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent	70226000	USD
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit	-3029788000	USD
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Liabilities And Stockholders Equity LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity	6261958000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Cost Of Goods And Services Sold CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold	409539000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Operating Income Loss OperatingIncomeLoss	635150000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	2096896000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Unrealized Gain Loss On Investments UnrealizedGainLossOnInvestments	2600000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	3109322000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	2650134000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	1665412000	USD
CY2016Q4	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	1183945000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	8004000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	4910000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	2114000	USD
CY2016Q4	us-gaap	Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	47762000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents Noncurrent RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsNoncurrent	3355000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents Noncurrent RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsNoncurrent	3209000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents Noncurrent RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsNoncurrent	0	USD
CY2016Q4	us-gaap	Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents Noncurrent RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsNoncurrent	0	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	3120681000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	2658253000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	1667526000	USD
CY2016Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash And Restricted Cash Equivalents CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	1231707000	USD
CY2019	vrtx	Collaborative Arrangement Investmentin Collaborative Partner Amount CollaborativeArrangementInvestmentinCollaborativePartnerAmount	63300000	USD
CY2018	vrtx	Collaborative Arrangement Investmentin Collaborative Partner Amount CollaborativeArrangementInvestmentinCollaborativePartnerAmount	46900000	USD
CY2017	vrtx	Collaborative Arrangement Investmentin Collaborative Partner Amount CollaborativeArrangementInvestmentinCollaborativePartnerAmount	8700000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic	263191000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	256728000	shares
CY2018	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	254292000	shares
CY2017	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	248858000	shares
CY2019	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	4.58
CY2018	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	8.24
CY2017	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	1.06
CY2019	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	1176810000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	1176810000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	2096896000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	263484000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Undistributed Earnings Loss Allocated To Participating Securities Basic UndistributedEarningsLossAllocatedToParticipatingSecuritiesBasic	0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Undistributed Earnings Loss Allocated To Participating Securities Basic UndistributedEarningsLossAllocatedToParticipatingSecuritiesBasic	501000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Undistributed Earnings Loss Allocated To Participating Securities Basic UndistributedEarningsLossAllocatedToParticipatingSecuritiesBasic	293000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic	1176810000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic	2096395000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	2096896000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	263484000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Undistributed Earnings Diluted UndistributedEarningsDiluted	0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Undistributed Earnings Diluted UndistributedEarningsDiluted	492000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Undistributed Earnings Diluted UndistributedEarningsDiluted	288000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Diluted NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersDiluted	1176810000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Diluted NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersDiluted	2096404000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Diluted NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersDiluted	263196000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	256728000	shares
CY2018	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	254292000	shares
CY2017	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	248858000	shares
CY2019	vrtx	Incremental Common Shares Attributableto Dilutive Effect Other IncrementalCommonSharesAttributabletoDilutiveEffectOther	14000	shares
CY2018	vrtx	Incremental Common Shares Attributableto Dilutive Effect Other IncrementalCommonSharesAttributabletoDilutiveEffectOther	17000	shares
CY2017	vrtx	Incremental Common Shares Attributableto Dilutive Effect Other IncrementalCommonSharesAttributabletoDilutiveEffectOther	28000	shares
CY2019	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	260673000	shares
CY2018	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	259185000	shares
CY2017	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	253225000	shares
CY2019	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	4.51
CY2018	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	8.09
CY2017	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	1.04
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash	2300000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash	1400000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Business Combination Contingent Consideration Liability BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability	0	USD
CY2019	vrtx	Business Combination Contingent Consideration Liability Increase From Acquisitions BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiabilityIncreaseFromAcquisitions	172041000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Business Combination Contingent Consideration Arrangements Change In Amount Of Contingent Consideration Liability1 BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsChangeInAmountOfContingentConsiderationLiability1	4459000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Business Combination Contingent Consideration Liability BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability	176500000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Other Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets OtherIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssets	400000000.0	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash	2300000000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Cash Cash	1400000000	USD
CY2019Q4	vrtx	Debtand Equity Securities Cost DebtandEquitySecuritiesCost	530216000	USD
CY2019Q4	vrtx	Debtand Equity Securities Unrealized Gain DebtandEquitySecuritiesUnrealizedGain	168811000	USD
CY2019Q4	vrtx	Debtand Equity Securities Unrealized Loss DebtandEquitySecuritiesUnrealizedLoss	55000	USD
CY2019Q4	vrtx	Debtand Equity Securities Fair Value DebtandEquitySecuritiesFairValue	698972000	USD
CY2018Q4	vrtx	Debtand Equity Securities Cost DebtandEquitySecuritiesCost	484473000	USD
CY2018Q4	vrtx	Debtand Equity Securities Unrealized Gain DebtandEquitySecuritiesUnrealizedGain	40646000	USD
CY2018Q4	vrtx	Debtand Equity Securities Unrealized Loss DebtandEquitySecuritiesUnrealizedLoss	7011000	USD
CY2018Q4	vrtx	Debtand Equity Securities Fair Value DebtandEquitySecuritiesFairValue	518108000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Securities AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities	1243469000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Securities AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities	1648745000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Within One Year Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithinOneYearFairValue	1137942000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Within One Year Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithinOneYearFairValue	1647500000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities After One Through Five Years Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterOneThroughFiveYearsFairValue	105527000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities After One Through Five Years Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterOneThroughFiveYearsFairValue	1245000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Securities AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities	1243469000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Securities AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities	1648745000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Unrealized Gain Loss On Investments UnrealizedGainLossOnInvestments	132500000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Unrealized Gain Loss On Investments UnrealizedGainLossOnInvestments	2600000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Before Reclassifications Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax	-35390000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Current Period Net Of Tax ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax	-2645000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	-32745000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Before Reclassifications Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax	34577000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Current Period Net Of Tax ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax	-1774000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	36351000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Before Reclassifications Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax	22884000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Current Period Net Of Tax ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax	25516000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	-2632000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Other Nonoperating Income Expense OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	192177000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Other Nonoperating Income Expense OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	-790000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Other Nonoperating Income Expense OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	-81382000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Inventory Raw Materials Net Of Reserves InventoryRawMaterialsNetOfReserves	26247000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Inventory Raw Materials Net Of Reserves InventoryRawMaterialsNetOfReserves	9677000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Inventory Work In Process Net Of Reserves InventoryWorkInProcessNetOfReserves	107021000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Inventory Work In Process Net Of Reserves InventoryWorkInProcessNetOfReserves	87944000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Inventory Finished Goods Net Of Reserves InventoryFinishedGoodsNetOfReserves	34234000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Inventory Finished Goods Net Of Reserves InventoryFinishedGoodsNetOfReserves	26739000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Inventory Net InventoryNet	167502000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Inventory Net InventoryNet	124360000	USD
CY2019Q4	vrtx	Property Plant And Equipment And Finance Lease Rightof Use Asset Before Accumulated Depreciation And Amortization PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightofUseAssetBeforeAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization	1437620000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Gross PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross	1263448000	USD
CY2019Q4	vrtx	Property Plant And Equipment And Finance Lease Rightof Use Asset Accumulated Depreciation And Amortization PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightofUseAssetAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization	692540000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Property Plant And Equipment AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment	451443000	USD
CY2019Q4	vrtx	Property Plant And Equipment And Finance Lease Rightof Use Asset After Accumulated Depreciation And Amortization PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightofUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization	745080000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Property Plant And Equipment Net PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet	812005000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Depreciation Depreciation	106900000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Depreciation Depreciation	72400000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Depreciation Depreciation	61400000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Other Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets OtherIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssets	400000000.0	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Other Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets OtherIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssets	0	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Goodwill Goodwill	1000000000.00	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Goodwill Goodwill	50400000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Employee Related Liabilities Current EmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrent	159464000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Employee Related Liabilities Current EmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrent	124753000	USD
CY2019Q4	vrtx	Accrued Research Development And Commercial Contract Costs AccruedResearchDevelopmentAndCommercialContractCosts	105663000	USD
CY2018Q4	vrtx	Accrued Research Development And Commercial Contract Costs AccruedResearchDevelopmentAndCommercialContractCosts	115300000	USD
CY2019Q4	vrtx	Product Sales Accrued Liabilities ProductSalesAccruedLiabilities	641368000	USD
CY2018Q4	vrtx	Product Sales Accrued Liabilities ProductSalesAccruedLiabilities	550002000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Accrued Royalties Current AccruedRoyaltiesCurrent	98578000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Accrued Royalties Current AccruedRoyaltiesCurrent	101108000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Taxes Payable Current TaxesPayableCurrent	72293000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Taxes Payable Current TaxesPayableCurrent	43281000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Other Accrued Liabilities Current OtherAccruedLiabilitiesCurrent	39546000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Other Accrued Liabilities Current OtherAccruedLiabilitiesCurrent	24455000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Accrued Liabilities Current AccruedLiabilitiesCurrent	1116912000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Accrued Liabilities Current AccruedLiabilitiesCurrent	958899000	USD
CY2018Q4	vrtx	Capital Lease Obligations Other Liabilities Current CapitalLeaseObligationsOtherLiabilitiesCurrent	5271000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Other Sundry Liabilities Current OtherSundryLiabilitiesCurrent	37680000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Other Sundry Liabilities Current OtherSundryLiabilitiesCurrent	20265000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Other Liabilities Current OtherLiabilitiesCurrent	130305000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Other Liabilities Current OtherLiabilitiesCurrent	50406000	USD
CY2019Q4	vrtx	Other Contract Liabilities Current OtherContractLiabilitiesCurrent	62332000	USD
CY2018Q4	vrtx	Other Contract Liabilities Current OtherContractLiabilitiesCurrent	24870000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Finance Lease Liability Current FinanceLeaseLiabilityCurrent	30293000	USD
CY2019Q4	vrtx	Advance From Collaborator Noncurrent AdvanceFromCollaboratorNoncurrent	88762000	USD
CY2018Q4	vrtx	Advance From Collaborator Noncurrent AdvanceFromCollaboratorNoncurrent	82573000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Liability Noncurrent OperatingLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent	84292000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Other Sundry Liabilities Noncurrent OtherSundryLiabilitiesNoncurrent	10264000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Other Sundry Liabilities Noncurrent OtherSundryLiabilitiesNoncurrent	26280000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Other Liabilities Noncurrent OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent	183318000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Other Liabilities Noncurrent OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent	108853000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Operating Lease Cost OperatingLeaseCost	11972000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Finance Lease Right Of Use Asset Amortization FinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAmortization	49778000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Finance Lease Interest Expense FinanceLeaseInterestExpense	52839000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Variable Lease Cost VariableLeaseCost	27997000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Sublease Income SubleaseIncome	6391000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Lease Cost LeaseCost	136195000	USD
CY2019Q4	vrtx	Finance Lease Right Of Use Asset Gross FinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetGross	445336000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Capital Leased Assets Gross CapitalLeasedAssetsGross	640952000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Finance Lease Right Of Use Asset FinanceLeaseRightOfUseAsset	445336000	USD
CY2018Q4	vrtx	Capital Leased Assets CapitalLeasedAssets	640952000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Capital Lease Obligations Current CapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent	9817000	USD
CY2019Q4	vrtx	Finance Leases Other Current Liabilities FinanceLeasesOtherCurrentLiabilities	38795000	USD
CY2018Q4	vrtx	Capital Lease Obligations Other Liabilities Current CapitalLeaseObligationsOtherLiabilitiesCurrent	5271000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Capital Lease Obligations Noncurrent CapitalLeaseObligationsNoncurrent	19658000	USD
CY2018Q4	vrtx	Construction Financing Obligation Noncurrent ConstructionFinancingObligationNoncurrent	561892000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Finance Lease Liability Noncurrent FinanceLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent	538576000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Finance Lease Liability FinanceLeaseLiability	577371000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Capital Lease Obligations CapitalLeaseObligations	596638000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Right Of Use Asset OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset	88202000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Right Of Use Asset OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset	88202000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Liability Current OperatingLeaseLiabilityCurrent	11504000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Liability Noncurrent OperatingLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent	84292000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Liability OperatingLeaseLiability	95796000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Finance Lease Liability Payments Due Next Twelve Months FinanceLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueNextTwelveMonths	84264000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due Next Twelve Months LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueNextTwelveMonths	14598000	USD
CY2019Q4	vrtx	Finance Lease And Operating Lease Liability Payment Due Next Twelve Months FinanceLeaseAndOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentDueNextTwelveMonths	98862000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Finance Lease Liability Payments Due Year Two FinanceLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearTwo	89440000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due Year Two LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearTwo	12907000	USD
CY2019Q4	vrtx	Finance Lease And Operating Lease Liability Payment Due Year Two FinanceLeaseAndOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentDueYearTwo	102347000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Finance Lease Liability Payments Due Year Three FinanceLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearThree	87092000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due Year Three LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearThree	12610000	USD
CY2019Q4	vrtx	Finance Lease And Operating Lease Liability Payment Due Year Three FinanceLeaseAndOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentDueYearThree	99702000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Finance Lease Liability Payments Due Year Four FinanceLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFour	85257000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due Year Four LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFour	12451000	USD
CY2019Q4	vrtx	Finance Lease And Operating Lease Liability Payments Due Year Four FinanceLeaseAndOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFour	97708000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Finance Lease Liability Payments Due Year Five FinanceLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFive	90802000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due Year Five LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFive	11488000	USD
CY2019Q4	vrtx	Finance Lease And Operating Lease Liability Payments Due Year Five FinanceLeaseAndOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFive	102290000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Finance Lease Liability Payments Due After Year Five FinanceLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueAfterYearFive	425251000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due After Year Five LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueAfterYearFive	51251000	USD
CY2019Q4	vrtx	Finance Lease And Operating Lease Liability Payments Due After Year Five FinanceLeaseAndOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueAfterYearFive	476502000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Finance Lease Liability Payments Due FinanceLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDue	862106000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Payments Due LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDue	115305000	USD
CY2019Q4	vrtx	Finance Lease And Operating Lease Liability Payments Due FinanceLeaseAndOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDue	977411000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Finance Lease Liability Undiscounted Excess Amount FinanceLeaseLiabilityUndiscountedExcessAmount	284735000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Lessee Operating Lease Liability Undiscounted Excess Amount LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityUndiscountedExcessAmount	19509000	USD
CY2019Q4	vrtx	Finance Lease And Operating Lease Liability Undiscounted Excess Amount FinanceLeaseAndOperatingLeaseLiabilityUndiscountedExcessAmount	304244000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Finance Lease Liability FinanceLeaseLiability	577371000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Liability OperatingLeaseLiability	95796000	USD
CY2019Q4	vrtx	Finance Lease And Operating Lease Liability FinanceLeaseAndOperatingLeaseLiability	673167000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Finance Lease Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term1 FinanceLeaseWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTerm1	P9Y8M26D
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term1 OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTerm1	P9Y8M12D
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Finance Lease Weighted Average Discount Rate Percent FinanceLeaseWeightedAverageDiscountRatePercent	0.0904
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Operating Lease Weighted Average Discount Rate Percent OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageDiscountRatePercent	0.0375
CY2019	us-gaap	Operating Lease Payments OperatingLeasePayments	10650000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Finance Lease Interest Payment On Liability FinanceLeaseInterestPaymentOnLiability	50527000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Finance Lease Principal Payments FinanceLeasePrincipalPayments	39185000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Right Of Use Asset Obtained In Exchange For Operating Lease Liability RightOfUseAssetObtainedInExchangeForOperatingLeaseLiability	34605000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Right Of Use Asset Obtained In Exchange For Finance Lease Liability RightOfUseAssetObtainedInExchangeForFinanceLeaseLiability	0	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due Current OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueCurrent	85071000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Two Years OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears	95986000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Three Years OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears	94245000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Four Years OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears	93761000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Five Years OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFiveYears	94071000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due Thereafter OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueThereafter	575191000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDue	1038325000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due Future Minimum Sublease Rentals OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueFutureMinimumSubleaseRentals	6200000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Lease And Rental Expense LeaseAndRentalExpense	17300000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Lease And Rental Expense LeaseAndRentalExpense	19200000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Remainder Of Fiscal Year CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsRemainderOfFiscalYear	10770000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Two Years CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears	7282000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Three Years CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears	5649000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Four Years CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears	3300000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Five Years CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFiveYears	1974000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Due Thereafter CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueThereafter	3085000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Due CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDue	32060000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Interest Included In Payments CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsInterestIncludedInPayments	2585000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Present Value Of Net Minimum Payments CapitalLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsPresentValueOfNetMinimumPayments	29475000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Authorized CommonStockSharesAuthorized	500000000	shares
CY2019	vrtx	Common Stock Votes Per Each Share CommonStockVotesPerEachShare	1	vote
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Preferred Stock Shares Authorized PreferredStockSharesAuthorized	1000000	shares
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Preferred Stock Shares Issued PreferredStockSharesIssued	0	shares
CY2019Q4	vrtx	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Outstanding Number ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOutstandingNumber	10229110	shares
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Number Of Shares Available For Grant ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant	15778703	shares
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Number ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber	8551000	shares
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice	111.46
CY2019	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Grants In Period ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod	1521000	shares
CY2019	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Options Grants In Period Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice	184.50
CY2019	us-gaap	Stock Issued During Period Shares Stock Options Exercised StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised	3327000	shares
CY2019	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Options Exercises In Period Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice	95.57
CY2019	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Forfeitures In Period ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod	467000	shares
CY2019	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Options Forfeitures In Period Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice	146.59
CY2019	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Expirations In Period ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriod	6000	shares
CY2019	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Options Expirations In Period Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice	182.96
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Number ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber	6272000	shares
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice	134.92
CY2019	us-gaap	Sharebased Compensation Arrangement By Sharebased Payment Award Options Outstanding Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term2 SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2	P7Y1M13D
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Intrinsic Value ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue	522740000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Exercisable Number ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber	3333000	shares
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice	114.15
CY2019	us-gaap	Sharebased Compensation Arrangement By Sharebased Payment Award Options Exercisable Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term1 SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1	P6Y21D
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Sharebased Compensation Arrangement By Sharebased Payment Award Options Exercisable Intrinsic Value1 SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1	346943000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Exercises In Period Total Intrinsic Value ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue	325900000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Exercises In Period Total Intrinsic Value ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue	258200000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Exercises In Period Total Intrinsic Value ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue	302800000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Proceeds From Stock Options Exercised ProceedsFromStockOptionsExercised	317800000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Proceeds From Stock Options Exercised ProceedsFromStockOptionsExercised	263400000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Proceeds From Stock Options Exercised ProceedsFromStockOptionsExercised	323300000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range Number Of Outstanding Options ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions	6272000	shares
CY2019	us-gaap	Sharebased Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range Outstanding Options Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term2 SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2	P7Y1M13D
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Sharebased Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range Outstanding Options Weighted Average Exercise Price Beginning Balance1 SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1	134.92
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range Number Of Exercisable Options ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions	3333000	shares
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Sharebased Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range Exercisable Options Weighted Average Exercise Price1 SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1	114.15
CY2019	us-gaap	Defined Contribution Plan Maximum Annual Contributions Per Employee Percent DefinedContributionPlanMaximumAnnualContributionsPerEmployeePercent	0.60
CY2019	us-gaap	Defined Contribution Plan Cost Recognized DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized	15800000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Defined Contribution Plan Cost Recognized DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized	13900000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Defined Contribution Plan Cost Recognized DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized	12300000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Sharebased Compensation Arrangement By Sharebased Payment Award Compensation Cost1 SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardCompensationCost1	360489000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Sharebased Compensation Arrangement By Sharebased Payment Award Compensation Cost1 SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardCompensationCost1	325047000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Sharebased Compensation Arrangement By Sharebased Payment Award Compensation Cost1 SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardCompensationCost1	293236000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Tax Benefit From Compensation Expense EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense	124225000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Tax Benefit From Compensation Expense EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense	0	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Tax Benefit From Compensation Expense EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense	0	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense Net Of Tax AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetOfTax	236264000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense Net Of Tax AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetOfTax	325047000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense Net Of Tax AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetOfTax	293236000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs Capitalized Amount EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount	1720000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs Capitalized Amount EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount	585000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs Capitalized Amount EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount	2406000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense	360489000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense	325047000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense	293236000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Current State And Local Tax Expense Benefit CurrentStateAndLocalTaxExpenseBenefit	5025000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Current Income Tax Expense Benefit CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	50722000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Current Income Tax Expense Benefit CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	25390000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Domestic IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesDomestic	1263379000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Domestic IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesDomestic	812086000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Domestic IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesDomestic	330340000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Foreign IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesForeign	131540000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Foreign IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesForeign	-211845000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Foreign IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesForeign	-346029000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	1394919000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	600241000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	-15689000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Current Federal Tax Expense Benefit CurrentFederalTaxExpenseBenefit	0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Current Federal Tax Expense Benefit CurrentFederalTaxExpenseBenefit	772000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Current Federal Tax Expense Benefit CurrentFederalTaxExpenseBenefit	11559000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Current Foreign Tax Expense Benefit CurrentForeignTaxExpenseBenefit	37194000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Current Foreign Tax Expense Benefit CurrentForeignTaxExpenseBenefit	15600000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Current Foreign Tax Expense Benefit CurrentForeignTaxExpenseBenefit	3576000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Current State And Local Tax Expense Benefit CurrentStateAndLocalTaxExpenseBenefit	13528000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Current State And Local Tax Expense Benefit CurrentStateAndLocalTaxExpenseBenefit	9018000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Current Income Tax Expense Benefit CurrentIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	20160000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredFederalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	184312000	USD
CY2019	vrtx	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Uncertian Tax Positions Amount EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationUncertianTaxPositionsAmount	14070000	USD
CY2018	vrtx	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Uncertian Tax Positions Amount EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationUncertianTaxPositionsAmount	15431000	USD
CY2017	vrtx	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Uncertian Tax Positions Amount EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationUncertianTaxPositionsAmount	0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredFederalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	-1105053000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredFederalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	-113805000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Deferred Foreign Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredForeignIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	-24797000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Deferred Foreign Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredForeignIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	-364919000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Deferred Foreign Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredForeignIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	-3222000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Deferred State And Local Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredStateAndLocalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	7872000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Deferred State And Local Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredStateAndLocalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	-42280000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Deferred State And Local Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredStateAndLocalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	-10457000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	167387000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	-1512252000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	-127484000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	218109000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	-1486862000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	-107324000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	1394919000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	600241000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	-15689000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Income Tax Expense Benefit At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate IncomeTaxReconciliationIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	292933000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Income Tax Expense Benefit At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate IncomeTaxReconciliationIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	126051000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Income Tax Expense Benefit At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate IncomeTaxReconciliationIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	-5491000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation State And Local Income Taxes IncomeTaxReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes	8478000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation State And Local Income Taxes IncomeTaxReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes	8680000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation State And Local Income Taxes IncomeTaxReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes	4742000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential IncomeTaxReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferential	6178000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential IncomeTaxReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferential	23427000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential IncomeTaxReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferential	77801000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Tax Credits IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxCredits	59459000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Tax Credits IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxCredits	52629000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Tax Credits IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxCredits	58204000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Change In Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeInDeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance	-2672000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Change In Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeInDeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance	-1563169000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Change In Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeInDeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance	-575801000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Nondeductible Expense IncomeTaxReconciliationNondeductibleExpense	4822000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Nondeductible Expense IncomeTaxReconciliationNondeductibleExpense	1421000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Nondeductible Expense IncomeTaxReconciliationNondeductibleExpense	15324000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Change In Enacted Tax Rate IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeInEnactedTaxRate	0	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Change In Enacted Tax Rate IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeInEnactedTaxRate	0	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Change In Enacted Tax Rate IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeInEnactedTaxRate	575192000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Nondeductible Expense Share Based Compensation Cost IncomeTaxReconciliationNondeductibleExpenseShareBasedCompensationCost	-56324000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Nondeductible Expense Share Based Compensation Cost IncomeTaxReconciliationNondeductibleExpenseShareBasedCompensationCost	-49044000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Nondeductible Expense Share Based Compensation Cost IncomeTaxReconciliationNondeductibleExpenseShareBasedCompensationCost	-21453000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Share Based Compensation Excess Tax Benefit Amount EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationShareBasedCompensationExcessTaxBenefitAmount	10666000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Share Based Compensation Excess Tax Benefit Amount EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationShareBasedCompensationExcessTaxBenefitAmount	8310000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Share Based Compensation Excess Tax Benefit Amount EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationShareBasedCompensationExcessTaxBenefitAmount	6501000	USD
CY2019	vrtx	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Deconsolidation Of Variable Interest Entity Amount EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationDeconsolidationOfVariableInterestEntityAmount	0	USD
CY2018	vrtx	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Deconsolidation Of Variable Interest Entity Amount EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationDeconsolidationOfVariableInterestEntityAmount	9390000	USD
CY2017	vrtx	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Deconsolidation Of Variable Interest Entity Amount EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationDeconsolidationOfVariableInterestEntityAmount	126183000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Other Adjustments IncomeTaxReconciliationOtherAdjustments	-583000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Other Adjustments IncomeTaxReconciliationOtherAdjustments	4050000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Other Adjustments IncomeTaxReconciliationOtherAdjustments	248000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	218109000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	-1486862000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	-107324000	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Valuation Allowance Deferred Tax Asset Change In Amount ValuationAllowanceDeferredTaxAssetChangeInAmount	-30500000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Operating Loss Carryforwards DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLossCarryforwards	512256000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Operating Loss Carryforwards DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLossCarryforwards	882014000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Credit Carryforwards DeferredTaxAssetsTaxCreditCarryforwards	549543000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Credit Carryforwards DeferredTaxAssetsTaxCreditCarryforwards	487635000	USD
CY2019Q4	vrtx	Deferred Tax Assets Intangibles DeferredTaxAssetsIntangibles	275290000	USD
CY2018Q4	vrtx	Deferred Tax Assets Intangibles DeferredTaxAssetsIntangibles	241775000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Deferred Income DeferredTaxAssetsDeferredIncome	18833000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Deferred Income DeferredTaxAssetsDeferredIncome	19311000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Compensation And Benefits Share Based Compensation Cost DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseCompensationAndBenefitsShareBasedCompensationCost	85199000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Compensation And Benefits Share Based Compensation Cost DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseCompensationAndBenefitsShareBasedCompensationCost	93915000	USD
CY2019Q4	vrtx	Deferred Tax Assets Accrued Expenses And Other DeferredTaxAssetsAccruedExpensesAndOther	44367000	USD
CY2018Q4	vrtx	Deferred Tax Assets Accrued Expenses And Other DeferredTaxAssetsAccruedExpensesAndOther	17795000	USD
CY2019Q4	vrtx	Deferred Tax Assets Lease Obligation DeferredTaxAssetsLeaseObligation	119160000	USD
CY2018Q4	vrtx	Deferred Tax Assets Lease Obligation DeferredTaxAssetsLeaseObligation	130849000	USD
CY2019Q4	vrtx	Deferred Tax Assets Operating Lease Assets DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLeaseAssets	13114000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Other DeferredTaxAssetsOther	8596000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Other DeferredTaxAssetsOther	6831000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Gross DeferredTaxAssetsGross	1626358000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Gross DeferredTaxAssetsGross	1880125000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance	205192000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance	168491000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Net DeferredTaxAssetsNet	1421166000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Net DeferredTaxAssetsNet	1711634000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Property Plant And Equipment DeferredTaxLiabilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipment	101235000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Property Plant And Equipment DeferredTaxLiabilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipment	128407000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Goodwill And Intangible Assets Intangible Assets DeferredTaxLiabilitiesGoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsIntangibleAssets	87160000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Goodwill And Intangible Assets Intangible Assets DeferredTaxLiabilitiesGoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsIntangibleAssets	0	USD
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CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	3814000	USD
CY2016Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	0	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increases Resulting From Current Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromCurrentPeriodTaxPositions	14407000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increases Resulting From Current Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromCurrentPeriodTaxPositions	9704000	USD
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CY2019	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Prior Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions	156000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Prior Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions	0	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Prior Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions	0	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Settlements With Taxing Authorities UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromSettlementsWithTaxingAuthorities	478000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Settlements With Taxing Authorities UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromSettlementsWithTaxingAuthorities	0	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Settlements With Taxing Authorities UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromSettlementsWithTaxingAuthorities	0	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	33920000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	19549000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	3814000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	33900000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	19500000	USD
CY2017Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	3800000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Income Tax Penalties And Interest Accrued UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestAccrued	0	USD
CY2019Q4	vrtx	Indemnification Claims IndemnificationClaims	0	USD
CY2019Q4	vrtx	Contingent Liabilities ContingentLiabilities	0	USD
CY2019	us-gaap	Number Of Operating Segments NumberOfOperatingSegments	1	segment
CY2019	us-gaap	Revenue From Contract With Customer Excluding Assessed Tax RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax	4162821000	USD
CY2018	us-gaap	Revenue From Contract With Customer Excluding Assessed Tax RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax	3047597000	USD
CY2017	us-gaap	Revenue From Contract With Customer Excluding Assessed Tax RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax	2488652000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Noncurrent Assets NoncurrentAssets	833282000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Noncurrent Assets NoncurrentAssets	812005000	USD
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Revenue From Contract With Customer Excluding Assessed Tax RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax	858435000	USD
CY2019Q2	us-gaap	Revenue From Contract With Customer Excluding Assessed Tax RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax	941293000	USD
CY2019Q3	us-gaap	Revenue From Contract With Customer Excluding Assessed Tax RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax	949828000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Revenue From Contract With Customer Excluding Assessed Tax RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax	1413265000	USD
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Cost Of Goods And Services Sold CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold	95092000	USD
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CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Research And Development Expense ResearchAndDevelopmentExpense	339490000	USD
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CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Selling General And Administrative Expense SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense	147045000	USD
CY2019Q2	us-gaap	Selling General And Administrative Expense SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense	156502000	USD
CY2019Q3	us-gaap	Selling General And Administrative Expense SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense	159674000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Selling General And Administrative Expense SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense	195277000	USD
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Business Combination Contingent Consideration Arrangements Change In Amount Of Contingent Consideration Liability1 BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsChangeInAmountOfContingentConsiderationLiability1	0	USD
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CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Costs And Expenses CostsAndExpenses	581627000	USD
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CY2019Q3	us-gaap	Costs And Expenses CostsAndExpenses	850495000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Costs And Expenses CostsAndExpenses	861800000	USD
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Operating Income Loss OperatingIncomeLoss	276808000	USD
CY2019Q2	us-gaap	Operating Income Loss OperatingIncomeLoss	269960000	USD
CY2019Q3	us-gaap	Operating Income Loss OperatingIncomeLoss	99333000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Operating Income Loss OperatingIncomeLoss	551465000	USD
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Investment Income Interest And Dividend InvestmentIncomeInterestAndDividend	15615000	USD
CY2019Q2	us-gaap	Investment Income Interest And Dividend InvestmentIncomeInterestAndDividend	18076000	USD
CY2019Q3	us-gaap	Investment Income Interest And Dividend InvestmentIncomeInterestAndDividend	17628000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Investment Income Interest And Dividend InvestmentIncomeInterestAndDividend	12359000	USD
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Interest Expense InterestExpense	14868000	USD
CY2019Q2	us-gaap	Interest Expense InterestExpense	14837000	USD
CY2019Q3	us-gaap	Interest Expense InterestExpense	14548000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Interest Expense InterestExpense	14249000	USD
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Other Nonoperating Income Expense OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	42610000	USD
CY2019Q2	us-gaap	Other Nonoperating Income Expense OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	53939000	USD
CY2019Q3	us-gaap	Other Nonoperating Income Expense OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	-31747000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Other Nonoperating Income Expense OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	127375000	USD
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	320165000	USD
CY2019Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	327138000	USD
CY2019Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	70666000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	676950000	USD
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	51534000	USD
CY2019Q2	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	59711000	USD
CY2019Q3	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	13148000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	93716000	USD
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	268631000	USD
CY2019Q2	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	267427000	USD
CY2019Q3	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	57518000	USD
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	583234000	USD
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	1.05
CY2019Q2	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	1.04
CY2019Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	0.22
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	2.26
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	1.03
CY2019Q2	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	1.03
CY2019Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	0.22
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	2.23
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	255695000	shares
CY2019Q2	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	256154000	shares
CY2019Q3	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	256946000	shares
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	258003000	shares
CY2019Q1	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	260175000	shares
CY2019Q2	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	259822000	shares
CY2019Q3	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	260473000	shares
CY2019Q4	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	262108000	shares
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Revenue From Contract With Customer Excluding Assessed Tax RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax	640799000	USD
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CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Research And Development Expense ResearchAndDevelopmentExpense	310553000	USD
CY2018Q2	us-gaap	Research And Development Expense ResearchAndDevelopmentExpense	337532000	USD
CY2018Q3	us-gaap	Research And Development Expense ResearchAndDevelopmentExpense	330510000	USD
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CY2018Q2	us-gaap	Selling General And Administrative Expense SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense	137303000	USD
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CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Selling General And Administrative Expense SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense	153210000	USD
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CY2018Q3	us-gaap	Restructuring Charges RestructuringCharges	174000	USD
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CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Impairment Of Intangible Assets Indefinitelived Excluding Goodwill ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsIndefinitelivedExcludingGoodwill	0	USD
CY2018Q2	us-gaap	Impairment Of Intangible Assets Indefinitelived Excluding Goodwill ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsIndefinitelivedExcludingGoodwill	0	USD
CY2018Q3	us-gaap	Impairment Of Intangible Assets Indefinitelived Excluding Goodwill ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsIndefinitelivedExcludingGoodwill	0	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Impairment Of Intangible Assets Indefinitelived Excluding Goodwill ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsIndefinitelivedExcludingGoodwill	29000000	USD
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Costs And Expenses CostsAndExpenses	511898000	USD
CY2018Q2	us-gaap	Costs And Expenses CostsAndExpenses	579279000	USD
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CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Costs And Expenses CostsAndExpenses	742384000	USD
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Operating Income Loss OperatingIncomeLoss	128901000	USD
CY2018Q2	us-gaap	Operating Income Loss OperatingIncomeLoss	172878000	USD
CY2018Q3	us-gaap	Operating Income Loss OperatingIncomeLoss	205649000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Operating Income Loss OperatingIncomeLoss	127722000	USD
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Investment Income Interest And Dividend InvestmentIncomeInterestAndDividend	5789000	USD
CY2018Q2	us-gaap	Investment Income Interest And Dividend InvestmentIncomeInterestAndDividend	8049000	USD
CY2018Q3	us-gaap	Investment Income Interest And Dividend InvestmentIncomeInterestAndDividend	10543000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Investment Income Interest And Dividend InvestmentIncomeInterestAndDividend	13971000	USD
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Interest Expense InterestExpense	16886000	USD
CY2018Q2	us-gaap	Interest Expense InterestExpense	18155000	USD
CY2018Q3	us-gaap	Interest Expense InterestExpense	18686000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Interest Expense InterestExpense	18744000	USD
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Other Nonoperating Income Expense OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	96838000	USD
CY2018Q2	us-gaap	Other Nonoperating Income Expense OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	53819000	USD
CY2018Q3	us-gaap	Other Nonoperating Income Expense OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	-60995000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Other Nonoperating Income Expense OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	-90452000	USD
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	214642000	USD
CY2018Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	216591000	USD
CY2018Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	136511000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	32497000	USD
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	-12659000	USD
CY2018Q2	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	10341000	USD
CY2018Q3	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	8055000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	-1492599000	USD
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	227301000	USD
CY2018Q2	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	206250000	USD
CY2018Q3	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	128456000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Profit Loss ProfitLoss	1525096000	USD
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	17038000	USD
CY2018Q2	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	-1110000	USD
CY2018Q3	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	-290000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	-25431000	USD
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	210263000	USD
CY2018Q2	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	207360000	USD
CY2018Q3	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	128746000	USD
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	1550527000	USD
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	0.83
CY2018Q2	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	0.82
CY2018Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	0.51
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	6.08
CY2018Q2	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	0.80
CY2018Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	0.50
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	5.97
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	0.81
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	253231000	shares
CY2018Q2	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	254135000	shares
CY2018Q3	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	254905000	shares
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	254868000	shares
CY2018Q1	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	258526000	shares
CY2018Q2	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	258584000	shares
CY2018Q3	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	259788000	shares
CY2018Q4	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	259812000	shares
CY2018Q4	vrtx	Income Tax Benefit Resultinginthe Releaseof Valuation Allowance IncomeTaxBenefitResultingintheReleaseofValuationAllowance	-1560000000	USD

Files In Submission

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$VRTX
VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS INC / MA Stock $vrtx

2019 Q1 Form 10-K Financial Statement

#000087532020000007 Filed on February 13, 2020

Income Statement

Balance Sheet

Cashflow Statement

Facts In Submission

Files In Submission

$VRTX VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS INC / MA Stock $vrtx

2019 Q1 Form 10-K Financial Statement

#000087532020000007 Filed on February 13, 2020

Income Statement

Balance Sheet

Cashflow Statement

Facts In Submission

Files In Submission

$VRTX
VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS INC / MA Stock $vrtx