NORMANVILLE - Former pharmacist John Jelfs was due to be sentenced on drugs charges in the Victor Harbor Magistrates Court on February 7, but the matter was once again adjourned.

Mr Jelfs originally faced more than 75 charges relating to the alleged illegal sale of medication, including pseudophedrine, morphine and methadone, after police raided his Normanville pharmacy in June 2010.

His operating licence was suspended and he has since retired and sold the pharmacy and several other Normanville businesses that formed the Jelfs Group.

After several adjournments in the Magistrates Court over a period of more than a year the original charges against Mr Jelfs were dropped and six new, lesser charges laid.

The lawyer for Mr Jelfs, Craig Caldicott, said his client would plead to the six new charges.

Prosecutor Martin Turner said 62 others would be taken into consideration.

Magistrate Koula Kossiavelos said the more than 20 character references supplied for Mr Jelfs spoke very highly of him and the work he had done for the community, but given his profession she wanted an insight into his offending.

"I have considered the character references but they are not enough in this matter."

Mr Caldicott made the case that his client would no longer be practising and was in poor health, having recently fractured his foot, but Magistrate Kossiavelos said she needed to consider sentencing.

She ordered a pre sentencing report that specifically looked at Mr Jelfs's health issues; his inability to work in the future; his insight into his offending; and his relationships with others since offending.

The sentencing hearing was adjourned until May 4 at 10.30am at Christies Beach Magistrates Court to allow for the pre sentencing report to be prepared.

Mr Jelfs leaned heavily on a walking stick as he left the court; his foot fracture the result of a recent fall.

He said he was sad not to be able to work as a pharmacist any more.

"But at 75 perhaps it's time."