OBJECTIVES:: To elaborate a pharmacoeconomic tool from epidemiological and pharmacoeconomic analysis to assist health managers in the planning and implementation of Pharmaceutical Care (PC) for reducing cardiovascular morbidity in Brazil.

METHODS:: This is a pharmacoeconomic methodological study. The tool was developed according to budget impact analysis grounded in a cost-benefit analysis nested in a clinical trial. Direct medical and non-medical costs and indirect costs were considered from the perspective of the Brazilian government. The tool was developed in five steps: direct cost analysis, cost and outcomes projection, cost-benefit analysis, Monte Carlo sensitivity analysis, and epidemiological impact measurement. The systematizing of the epidemiological and economic impact analyses structured the pharmacoeconomic tool.

RESULTS:: For a disbursment of US$ 93,700/year for the implementation of PC at a municipal level, the pharmacoeconomic tool has estimated that three pharmacists would need to be hired and there would be a surplus of US$ 2,953.74. In the first year there would be 312 patients assisted, and there would be a saving of US$ 47,181.45 in health resources. In the overall summary for 10 years, 3,120 patients would be taken care of, 567 systemic arterial hypertension complications would be avoided and also 2,640 of the 3,120 patients would have their blood pressure at satisfactory levels. As a result of the saving generated at present value, the tool showed with 95 % certainty that net present value would be US$ 2,632,414.91 over ten years.

CONCLUSIONS:: The pharmacoeconomic tool, currently in the patent process, has shown to be able and sensitive to assist health managers in the implementation of PC for reducing cardiovascular morbidity and saving health resources.